“My eyes are open to new possibilities” – Lucie’s education journey with The Access Project
When Lucie first joined The Access Project, she set herself a goal to improve her GCSE grades. Now a Year 12 student, she’s got a new ambition: to be the first in her family to attend university.
Lucie, who lives in London, joined The Access Project while she was studying for her GCSEs. After being paired with a Maths tutor — free of charge under The Access Project’s programme — Lucie raised her grade from a 6 to a 7, and discovered a newfound academic confidence.
Lucie said: “My tutor encouraged me to trust my abilities. This support not only helped me perform better in my GCSEs but also gave me the confidence to tackle challenges independently.”
Now, as she studies for her A levels, Lucie has dreams of studying politics at university.
“I’m certain that I want to go to university”
“Before I joined The Access Project, I didn’t know much about university. No one in my family has been. The workshops and one-to-one support have really opened my eyes to what’s possible.”
“My mentor has helped me explore universities, like Southampton, where I’m interested in studying Politics and International Relations. Now, I’m certain that I want to go to university — but before, I wasn’t sure it was for me.”
In 2025, students like Lucie are almost three times less likely to attend university than more advantaged peers. Social mobility in England is moving in reverse, with the university access gap at its widest on record. But The Access Project is fighting for a fairer future — young people are 50% more likely to attend a top university after studying with The Access Project.
Mentors, known at The Access Project as University Access Officers, provide valuable one-to-one support to students, guiding them through topics like tuition fees, maintenance loans, subject outcomes, and student life. In our latest impact report, 92% of our young people said that workshops with The Access Project have improved their knowledge about university.
“In the future, I’d love to work in governance or politics. My mentor has been incredibly helpful, introducing me to political podcasts and providing information about career pathways like the Civil Service Fast Stream. These insights have helped me better understand how to achieve my goals.”
The Access Project: Breaking barriers to education
The Access Project helps young people from under-resourced backgrounds achieve their academic potential and place at top universities. By donating to our programme or volunteering with us, you’re helping the country’s most under-resourced young people find their way to a brighter future.