Writing in the Daily Telegraph, David Willetts says this newspaper's disclosure that overseas applicants were being told they could get a place with lower academic requirements are "salutary" for universities and warns of the danger of students unprepared for the rigorous standards of leading colleges.

The Daily Telegraph reported how one of the biggest education agents in China told a fictional Chinese student they could study at top universities even though her grades were lower than those required for Britons. In an undercover investigation seven out 10 official agents agreed to relax standards.

Now it can be disclosed that agents representing Exeter, Sheffield, Kent, Edinburgh, Leeds and Newcastle universities all claimed that normal academic standards could be relaxed for a Chinese applicant.

A university agent called iLongre in Shanghai offered a place for a Chinese student with three B grades to study economics at Exeter University. British students must have a minimum of two As and a B. The agent also told reporters that it was "easier" to apply in China. Exeter University said it had no "contractual relationship" with iLongre.

Another consultant working for a company called Fonton in Beijing said a Chinese student with three Bs would be able to study maths at the University of East Anglia, even though AAB is the usual entry requirement.

A third official agent, Wiseway in Shanghai, offered the same fictitious student places at Leeds or Sheffield despite the usual grade requirements being higher.

Gao Kui, a senior consultant with the company, said it was "80 to 90 per cent" that the student could get a place at Sheffield and said he secured places for Chinese students with those grades last year.

The disclosures will increase concerns that standards are being compromised as universities favour foreign students because they pay higher fees. Universities say that even the new £9,000-a-year tuition fees for British and European Union students do not cover their costs, and they need to turn to foreigners, who are charged 50 per cent more.

In his article, above, Mr Willetts stresses that overseas students are a welcome addition on campuses, but calls on universities to address the concerns raised by the investigation. "The claims made by this paper about lower entry standards for Chinese students are salutary. If our world-class institutions admit people that cannot cope or who slow down their fellow students, their league table position will slip. That is in no one's interests."

Last month, reporters, accompanied by a Chinese translator posing as a student, met two representatives of iLongre at their office in Shanghai. The two men had both been to British universities and said they were "100 per cent successful" at getting students on to courses they wanted.

"Exeter [University] is the best one" for the student said Leo Lui, one of the agents. They claimed to have a "tier one" relationship with Exeter, which meant they could speak to them directly and said getting a place to study economics would be "no problem".

They also claimed that it was "easier" to apply from China and that the student would be able to study economics at Edinburgh.

A spokesman for Edinburgh University said that the university did not have a contract with iLongre and all applicants were expected to meet the entry requirements for courses.

At Fonton, a senior representative, Cindy Zhao, explained to the reporters that there were places "still available" and the best option for a student with three Bs would the University of East Anglia (UEA). "For business it's not easy. For maths or science it will be more easier [sic] than business", she said.

A UEA spokesman said agents did not make admissions decisions and insisted that there was no difference in the entry requirements foreign students needed.

Exeter University said it was not aware of any students referred by iLongre and the company was "not authorised to advise students on our behalf".

The University of Leeds said Wiseway was not an official representative and it would "never make an offer of BBB for any student for these courses".

A spokesman at the University of Sheffield said agents were "not empowered to make offers" but merely provide information to prospective students.