University Best Practice Guide | Awards and Events | Programmes Close Soon | Opinion
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This month, we published our new Best Practice Guide for Universities. Despite rising numbers of students attending university overall, socio-economic access gaps have stayed the same for two decades. Drawing on our previous research, programmes delivery, published evidence, and more than 40 submissions to our open evidence call, this guide sets out how universities can challenge established practice to further drive social mobility. There’s a wealth of advice in each chapter, with practical steps to address unequal access, experience, and outcomes for students from low-income backgrounds.
It has also been a busy period for events. We were delighted to celebrate the achievements of our students, alumni and volunteers at this year’s Alumni Awards, while our Opportunity Bursary Event gave us the chance to hear directly from recipients about the impact the programme has had on their lives. We were also honoured to attend the Engineering Talent Awards, where our Pathways to Engineering programme received an award!
Looking ahead, applications for several of our programmes will be closing soon, so be sure to submit before the deadline. You can also catch up on our latest research, newsletter and opinion pieces.
In Octobers' newsletter, find updates on:
- Our new Best Practice Guide For Universities
- Alumni Awards
- Opportunity Bursary Event
- Engineering Award
- Launch Event: Housing and educational inequality report
- Programmes closing soon
- LinkedIn Newsletter
- Opinion
Advancing Social Mobility: A Best Practice Guide For Universities
Despite rising numbers of students attending university overall, there is still a 20-percentage-point gap in university access in England between Free school meals (FSM) students and those from better-off homes – a figure that has not changed in two decades.
And less than 5% of FSM students enter the elite ‘high tariff’ institutions, where the labour market rewards are greatest.
Our new Best Practice Guide for Universities highlights the socio-economic gaps in both admissions and students' experiences, and outlines priorities for change.
It provides university staff at all levels with practical advice on outreach activities, admissions, supporting transitions and measures to help students succeed throughout their studies, including into postgraduate level if they choose.
2026 Alumni Awards
This month, our amazing alumni community came together for the seventh edition of our annual alumni celebration!
We brought a large group of our alumni together in London to celebrate our volunteers and recognise the successes of our programme participants.
It was a pleasure to see so many of our alumni together in one room, and our team were delighted to hear about all of the excellent work that they have been doing.
A huge congratulations to all of our award winners and runners-up!
Engineering Awards
Last week we were delighted to attend the Engineering Talent Awards, where our Pathways to Engineering programme was awarded Inclusion Programme of the Year!
Since launching in 2020, Pathways to Engineering has supported more than 500 young people to explore engineering careers, develop their skills and confidence, and access opportunities that can help them progress into the profession.
This award highlights the importance of opening up pathways into engineering for talented young people from all backgrounds.
Event: Opportunity Bursary
This year, 58 alumni received Opportunity Bursaries of between £2,500 and £5,000 to support internships, volunteering, travel and other career-enhancing experiences.
The bursary supports students across sectors including law, medicine, finance and the creative industries, ensuring that financial circumstances do not limit ambition.
A highlight of this year's event was hearing directly from bursary recipients about the impact the programme has had on their personal and professional development. We are also grateful to our mentors for their guidance and support, and to JP Morgan Chase, Sarah Moreau and Lisa Kladitis for helping make the Opportunity Bursary possible.
Thank you to everyone who joined us to celebrate our alumni and their achievements. We look forward to seeing what they do next!
Read our latest LinkedIn newsletter
The government's new reforms for the SEND system are ambitious and a significant step in the right direction, but there is still one barrier which often gets overlooked: how parental literacy impacts children’s access to support.
In the third edition of our LinkedIn newsletter, our Schools Engagement Lead Charlotte O'Regan draws from her personal experience of supporting children with SEND to discuss this barrier.
Launch Event: Housing and educational inequality report
Much of the research on social mobility focuses on income or occupation. However, in England, both housing conditions and tenure increasingly impact prospects for social mobility. For example, someone living in poor housing conditions, such as damp, may miss more school due to illness. An overcrowded home can also make studying difficult.
This event will explore the role housing plays in educational outcomes for those growing up in England, and what can be done about it.
Date and time: 8.30-10 am, Thursday 26
November
Location: The Adam Hub, Millbank Tower, SW1P 4QP
Programmes close soon: Apply now
Applications are closing soon for two of our programmes helping young people explore future careers and gain valuable experience: Pathways to the Professions and Access Apprenticeships.
Pathways to the Professions is open to students in Year 12 in England and Wales, S5 in Scotland, or Year 13 in Northern Ireland.
These programmes offer work experience with high-profile organisations, support to get work-ready and, where applicable, a free residential at a leading university. Subjects include Veterinary Medicine, Law, Engineering, Banking and Finance, and Medicine.
- Application closing dates vary - check website for details
Access Apprenticeships is available to Year 12 or equivalent students in Manchester and London.
It offers exclusive work experience, visits to apprenticeship providers, opportunities to meet local aspiring apprentices and support to explore whether an apprenticeship is the right route.
- Application closing dates vary - check website for details
Opinion
The students with the most to gain from university are still the least likely to get there
Our CEO, Nick Harrison, discusses persistent socio-economic gaps in access to higher education and how our new Best Practice Guide For Universities to improve social mobility can help universities make more of a difference.
Poverty, place and partnerships: Why it matters for educators to work with The Sutton Trust
Sean Harris is Director of People, Learning and Community Engagement (PLACE) at Tees Valley Education and Regional Ambassador for The Sutton Trust. In this blog, he reflects on why he and colleagues are intentionally navigating poverty and place in partnerships with The Sutton Trust and other organisations.
How could the Chancellor boost social mobility on Budget day?
Our Head of Communications and Public Affairs, Rocky Lorusso, discusses the key measures the Government could implement to improve social mobility and access to opportunity ahead of the Autumn Budget Statement.
Interested in submitting a blog? Reach out to us.
