Professor Schwartz, who had spells in charge of Murdoch University and Macquarie University in Australia as well as Brunel University in the UK, was made an Honorary Doctor of Education in recognition of his outstanding contribution to higher education.

A trained psychologist, Professor Schwartz led an independent review of the UK's university admissions system in 2003, publishing The Schwartz Report - Fair admissions to Higher Education: Recommendations for good practice the following year.

Upon receiving his award from the University of Bedfordshire, Professor Schwartz outlined the benefits of widening access to higher education.

“A diverse student body,” he said, “benefits all students by enhancing teamwork, tolerance and inclusiveness.

“Diversity in the classroom teaches students how to communicate across cultural boundaries. The presence of a range of experiences and perspectives in the lab or the seminar room enriches the learning environment for every student in the room.

“Most important of all, widening participation gives all students with the brains and ambition the opportunity to live up to their potential and make their full contribution to society.”

Speaking from his position as Chair of the Australian Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting Authority, Professor Schwartz told the attending dignitaries, academics and professional services staff, how access to a university education is still restricted across the globe.

“Given the great benefits of attending university, it would not be fair to restrict higher education to a privileged elite,” he stated.

“Low-income students remain under-represented in higher education. But an inability to pay fees is not the whole problem.

“If we want a more diverse student body then we must do something about the main forces working against achieving it: low aspirations, poor information and a failure to meet entry criteria.”

Professor Schwartz continued by suggesting legitimate, practical ways to open up the opportunity of a university education to under-represented groups.

“First we can remove legal barriers to higher education such as the apartheid that existed in South Africa, and the segregation that existed in the USA when I was young,” advised Professor Schwartz, a NATO Fellow.

“An information programme for students, parents and teachers would be one way to counteract this disadvantage.

“A programme of outreach, open days and summer schools might encourage students from non-traditional backgrounds to apply.”

Professor Schwartz concluded by advocating a system of university admissions that is able to take account of contextual information such as a candidate’s socio-economic background, home life and performance in relation to peers with a similar educational background, in addition to grades achieved.

Such information, Professor Schwartz argued, is crucial to assessing a candidate’s likelihood of success in higher education; in fact, good performance achieved against the odds is a more reliable predictor of success than simply looking at grades awarded in school or college.

His ideals struck a chord with the ceremony’s attendees, the majority of whom work at a university renowned for its work in widening access to higher education

Vice Chancellor Bill Rammell summarised the topicality of Professor Schwartz’s honorary award, his work and associated speech.

“It’s a real pleasure to welcome Steven here and we are delighted that he has accepted this honorary degree.

“That principle [of assessing candidates on their potential to achieve] gets to the core of what we’re about here at the University of Bedfordshire, enabling students to achieve their potential, transform their lives, the lives of their families, and their communities.”

• View images of the ceremony and lecture