Impact
We have a proven track record of helping the country’s most under-resourced young people to place at a top university.
Our benchmark-beating impact: setting up young people for success
Research from the Institute for Fiscal Studies and The Sutton Trust shows that students from lower socio-economic backgrounds are four times more likely to become socially mobile if they attend university. And more selective universities offer the best chance of becoming a higher earner.
This is why we are committed to delivering our mission to support young people from under-resourced backgrounds to access top universities and achieve social mobility. Students from the areas in which we work are significantly under-represented at these universities. Our widening participation work challenges this and helps more students from under-resourced backgrounds to unlock a pathway to higher education.
The difference we make
Young people on our programmes are 50% more likely to place at top universities compared with demographically and academically similar students.
| Measure | The Access Project students | UCAS control group of students |
|---|---|---|
| Applied to a top uni | 90% | 55% |
| Received an offer from a top uni | 83% | 51% |
| Placed at a top uni | 53% | 32% |
“The focus from The Access Project on getting young people into top universities still remains a key priority as there are far too many who have the capability but don’t realise their potential. Statistically speaking, this pathway is still the most fruitful when it comes to driving social mobility for young people, and we shouldn’t lose this focus.”
Mohammed Ben-Taleb, member of The Access Project Advisory Council and
Lead Analyst at the Department for Education
Our impact in 2024/25
young people supported to
access top universities
of our students feel more positive about their future
of our students are from areas
of high deprivation
Unlocking barriers to education
Over the last 17 years, we have honed our mentoring model to give our students the most impactful support on their journeys to top universities. We are committed to offering this high-quality mentoring support to under-resourced young people as we believe strongly that it has the power to change young people’s lives for the better.
Our March 2024 research report, Impactful Mentoring, delves into the critical role that mentoring plays in widening access to higher education. Our team of trained University Access Officers guide students through topics such as university access, student finance, specialist support for those students wishing to apply for competitive courses or institutions, and university readiness.
This mentoring support is complemented by our tutoring and coaching programmes, designed to raise educational attainment and develop transferable skills.
Our impact
hours of mentoring sessions, workshops and university trips in 2024/25
Skills for Access coaching sessions were delivered in 2024/25
of our Year 13 students received a university offer in 2025
of our Year 13 students received an offer from a top university in 2025
“The Access Project proved to me that a top university was in reach for someone like me and showed me how to make the best decisions for my development as an individual.”
Isabel, former student on The Access Project, now studying Global
Sustainable Development at the University of Warwick
Explore the full report
Latest News
-
Josh MacAlister MP meets Cumbria students aiming for Oxford
Josh MacAlister OBE, MP for Whitehaven and Workington and Minister for Children and Families, visited The Whitehaven Academy on Friday 8 May to meet talented students aiming for university success. The visit was set up to celebrate the partnership between national education charity, The Access Project, and The Queen’s College, University of Oxford. This partnership was established to support under-resourced students in Cumbria to aspire to study at a top… read more
-
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… read more
-
“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… read more
Contact us
Contact information
The Access Project,
Canopi,
82 Tanner Street,
London,
SE1 3GN
020 4513 5999
info@theaccessproject.org.uk
Media enquiries line: 07767 100582
media@theaccessproject.org.uk
The Access Project safeguarding line: 020 4513 5999 (available Monday to Friday, 9am to 5:30pm)
NSPCC helpline (visit the NSPCC website for up to date opening hours): 0808 800 5000 help@nspcc.org.uk