U.K. students studying in private schools have more chances of graduating from a university with a good degree, and securing a well-paid graduate job or pursuing their further studies than students from state schools, according to a new research conducted by the Bristol University and the University of the West of England.

The study tracked the performance of some 225,765 students who started university in the autumn of 2006.

Around 65 per cent students from independent schools achieved a first or upper-second class degree, when compared to 52.7 per cent of students from the state system. Plus, about 60.4 per cent privately educated students secured a graduate job against 46.8 per cent of other graduates.

The findings, that were published earlier this week, highlighted the social divide between private and state schools on university campuses.

"Seeking to understand and, where we can, address the reasons for these differences remains a key priority," Sarah Howls, head of student opportunity at Higher Education Funding Council for England," said.

On the other hand, ministers have been claiming that state school students fair well in universities than their privately-educated counterparts.

"By and large, the figures say that pupils from independent schools do well both at university and beyond. That rather goes against the idea that pupils from independent schools over achieve at school and then don't do so well at university," Chris Ramsey, head of The King's School, Chester, and universities' spokesman for the Headmasters' and Headmistresses' Conference.