Category: Students
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The hidden deficit: why the university funding crisis is a social mobility crisis
by Eve Jacobs Here at The Access Project, we have been keeping a close eye on what is happening within the higher education sector. The landscape is changing, but what does this mean for our students? There is a squeeze across the whole UK university sector, driven by financial pressures and a shift within the… Read more
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“My students inspire me” – Empowering pupils in the West Midlands
by Eshika Kaypee Having worked at Colmers School for nearly two years as a University Access Officer (UAO), ‘community’ and ‘compassion’ are two words that come to mind when describing the school. Despite the many educational barriers that young people in the West Midlands face, there is so much belief that goes into every student to reach their potential and… Read more
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“I want to change the way we look at education” – Musab’s journey to higher education
Musab is a Year 12 student from the West Midlands. When he started his A levels, he joined The Access Project to give his university applications a boost. “I come from a low socio-economic background and the Access Project allows me to experience other opportunities that would otherwise only be available to someone from a… Read more
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From the East Midlands to Edinburgh: Riveen prepares for life at university
Picture the scene. It’s 14 August 2025 and the room is buzzing with excited yet nervous A level students, eagerly awaiting their results. Amongst the crowds at Ashfield School in Kirkby In Ashfield are 20 students enrolled on The Access Project, along with their University Access Officer, Clare. One of these students is Riveen. Applying… Read more
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“I wouldn’t have passed without The Access Project” – Celebrating GCSE success on Results Day
GCSE Results Day has arrived. Hundreds of thousands of young people are opening envelopes filled with exam results, and seeing their hard work pay off. At The Access Project, we work with young people aged 14-16 to support them with their GCSE studies, and put them on a pathway to higher education. Today, we celebrated… Read more
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A level Results Day 2025: Students celebrate top grades and university destinations
Results Day has arrived and thousands of young people across the country are waking up to find out what they’ve achieved in their exams. On Thursday 14 August, young people are finding out how they performed in their A levels, T levels, BTEC Nationals, and other Level 3 qualifications – and deciding on their next… Read more
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Celebrating 10 years in the West Midlands with Ormiston Forge Academy and Imperial College London
At first glance, the gathering of pupils, parents, staff, and alumni at Ormiston Forge Academy on 8 July might have appeared like the usual end of term school celebrations. But this particular event was so much more than that. Staff from Imperial College London and the team from The Access Project were delighted to join… Read more
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Aiming for Oxford – Alisha’s experiences on the Oxbridge Pathway
As part of our programme, The Access Project offers students a wide variety of enrichment opportunities, including our specialised Oxbridge and Healthcare Pathways. These Pathways are designed to support students through the application process towards courses with additional requirements and admissions tests. Applications to Pathways are open during the autumn term to all Year 12… Read more
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“The Access Project has equipped me with invaluable skills” – Q&A with Isabel, Year 13 student
What does student life look like at The Access Project? We sat down with Isabel, a Year 13 student at one of our partner schools in the West Midlands, to find out more about her journey with The Access Project — and how being part of our programme is helping her achieve her goals. Why… Read more
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“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… Read more