Tag: access
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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
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Response to The Sutton Trust’s School Funding and Pupil Premium 2025 report
School cuts are worsening due to financial pressures, according to a new report by The Sutton Trust. In the School Funding and Pupil Premium 2025 report, a survey of 1,208 teachers in primary and secondary schools found that more schools are cutting back on teaching staff, support staff, and enrichment, with secondary schools worst affected.… 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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The Access Project alumnus makes Top 10 Future Leaders list
Former The Access Project student and recent University of Oxford graduate Ras.I Martin is making waves as one of the UK’s top ten future leaders of 2025. Powerful Media’s Future Leaders — an annual publication celebrating 150 outstanding Black university students in the UK — features Ras.I as one of the most inspiring young leaders… Read more
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Widening participation in North West England – Launching our partnership with The University of Manchester
The Access Project is delighted to announce a new partnership with The University of Manchester, which will help us reach more young people through our university access and widening participation programmes. The University of Manchester’s Faculty of Humanities is supporting The Access Project’s university trips provision, opening its doors to our students and welcoming under-resourced… Read more