University Test Act

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The University Tests Act of 1871 abolished the communion "Tests" and allowed non-conformists to take up fellowships at the Universities of Oxford, Cambridge and Durham.

Passed in William Gladstone's first ministry, the aim of the act was to gain non-conformist support as the non-conformists was a main support group of the Liberals. It was part of Gladstone's policy of removing inequality on religious grounds.

The act angered some Anglicans who believed that no such applicants should be allowed into the Universities of England.^{[citation needed]}