Tag: access
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Student blog series: Education is for all
by Courtney, Year 12, Cumbria Courtney is a sixth form student from Cumbria studying history, literature, and politics. She believes that education should provide the opportunity to change the lives of every student and is aiming to get into a top university. Education shouldn’t be a privilege; it’s a right for everyone. When The Access Project asked me to write something that I… Read more
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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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“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 day at Magdalen. These high potential students are all enrolled on our Oxbridge Pathways… Read more
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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. This has always been our core focus as we strive for a fairer society where every young person,… Read more
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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 in the intake of students with parents working in semi-routine jobs, falling from 13%… Read more
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Impact report : Our year in voices
Introducing our impact report for 2024/25. ‘Our year in voices’ details our impact over the last academic year. Here we celebrate our successes and, more importantly, the successes of our students. Once again, we demonstrate that our intervention has a benchmark-beating impact on the young people we work with. And what is the difference we… 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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Maintenance grants to be reintroduced by 2029 – The Access Project response
Maintenance grants will be reintroduced in England for students from low income households, the government has announced. Students from lower income backgrounds who are “studying priority courses that support the industrial strategy and the Labour government’s wider mission to renew Britain” will be eligible for grants, Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson shared at the Labour Party… 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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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