University partners
We work closely with widening participation teams at some of the country’s top universities to help under-resourced students find high quality education.
Why partner with us?
The Office for Students (OfS) has stressed the vital role of collaborations between higher education institutions and third-sector organisations in delivering impactful interventions.
We have successfully partnered with universities to foster long-standing, mutually beneficial relationships.
We understand that universities often face challenges in demonstrating impact to internal stakeholders and in reports to the OfS. Our multi-year intervention programme aligns with various risk points on the OfS’s Equality of Opportunity Risk Register, offering comprehensive support to address these challenges effectively. As a data-driven organisation, we are committed to helping universities evidence their impact and fulfil their obligations to the OfS.
Campus visits and tours
Reach new prospective students with a trip to your university, giving young people from under-resourced backgrounds across the UK a glimpse of student life and a chance to engage with your academic community.
Staff and student volunteering
We provide enriching opportunities for students and staff alike, offering continued personal and professional development through our volunteer tutoring and coaching schemes.
Widening participation
We support your widening participation recruitment, kick-starting early intervention and consistent engagement for young people who meet your target criteria and demographics.
“The Access Project has helped us to recruit volunteer staff and student tutors who continue to support attainment-raising initiatives, helping us to meet our goals of being the most inclusive Russell Group university.”
Poppy Hudghton, Deputy Head of Student Recruitment and Widening Participation at Queen Mary University of London
Map of The Access Project’s partner schools
Who do we work with?
The Access Project collaborates with universities and colleges in a variety of ways. We can work with you to establish school partnerships in targeted regions, organise university trips, or offer strategic partnerships for widening participation.
We work with more than 40 schools across England, spanning Greater London, the West Midlands, the East Midlands, Cumbria, Lancashire, and West Yorkshire.
Our partner schools are non-selective state schools with high numbers of widening participation demographic students on Free School Meals, receiving Pupil Premium funding or with low levels of progression to top universities.
Meet our university partners
The Access Project partnered with Queen Mary University of London in 2018, sharing a vision to support students from under-represented backgrounds to attend university. Since then, we’ve worked with the university to establish a partnership with one of our London schools, and recruit volunteer staff and student tutors.
Latest News
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Response to The Sutton Trust’s School Funding and Pupil Premium 2025 report
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The Access Project alumnus makes Top 10 Future Leaders list
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Widening participation in North West England – Launching our partnership with The University of Manchester
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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