• The hidden deficit: why the university funding crisis is a social mobility crisis

    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… more

  • “This trip has opened my eyes to the different pathways I can take”

    “This trip has opened my eyes to the different pathways I can take”

    The grounds of Magdalen College, University of Oxford, are beautiful on any given day, but on a sunny Monday in June they could not have looked better. Students from five of our London partner schools had the opportunity to experience a… more

  • “My students inspire me” – Empowering pupils in the West Midlands

    “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,… more

  • Is university worth it? Higher education and social mobility

    Is university worth it? Higher education and social mobility

    According to the British Social Attitudes Survey, a third of British people now think that university isn’t worth it, as reported by the BBC today.  Here at The Access Project, our mission is to support young people to access top universities in order to achieve social mobility.… more

  • New partnership announced with Kaizen Reporting

    New partnership announced with Kaizen Reporting

    The Access Project today announced a new partnership with Kaizen Reporting, a leading provider of regulatory compliance solutions for global financial institutions, to launch an employee volunteering programme focused on coaching young people from under-resourced backgrounds. The partnership will provide Kaizen… more

  • From Ancient Egyptian art to women in leadership: Learning at Work Week

    From Ancient Egyptian art to women in leadership: Learning at Work Week

    As an education charity, learning plays a pivotal role in our programmes. Students learn about the university experience, how to submit a quality application, they develop key transferable skills, and they are supported to raise their academic attainment. But learning is… more

  • Josh MacAlister MP meets Cumbria students aiming for Oxford

    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… more

  • “I enjoy talking to my coach” – Ray is building skills for the future

    “I enjoy talking to my coach” – Ray is building skills for the future

    Ray is a year 12 student from Lancashire. When he started studying his A levels, Ray also joined The Access Project — for mentoring, skills coaching, and an extra boost to help his university applications. A keen historian, Ray has ambitions… more

  • “I definitely want to go here” – Courtney dreams of life at Oxford

    “I definitely want to go here” – Courtney dreams of life at Oxford

    Courtney is a year 12 student from Cumbria. Alongside studying for her A levels, Courtney is receiving mentoring from The Access Project to boost her academic prospects and help her achieve her dreams of studying at a top university. This March,… more

  • Third of university students come from the wealthiest backgrounds

    Third of university students come from the wealthiest backgrounds

    Latest data from HESA shows that a third of British university students now come from the wealthiest backgrounds, suggesting a backwards step for social mobility.    31% of undergraduates now come from the highest socio‑economic group, up from 25% in 2021/22.   Despite widening participation initiatives, of most concern is the sharp drop… more

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