Our members are committed to engaging with schools and colleges in order to raise attainment and widen participation in higher education. Every University in the UK has partnerships with schools and colleges through which they engage in a wide range of activities.
Widening participation and fair access
All UK universities are committed to offering higher education to all who can benefit from it, regardless of background. They work hard to attract applicants from groups which are under-represented in higher education in a wide range of ways. They seek to raise aspirations and increase awareness of higher education through:
- summer schools,
- campus visits and taster-days,
- masterclasses,
- providing student mentors in schools and colleges,
- and hosting study and revision days.
Many universities also offer special entry pathways and targeted advice and guidance to make progression to higher education possible for students who might otherwise have missed out.
However, it is widely recognised that the main obstacle to widening access to university is progression and achievement at 16 years. About 90% of students with two or more A-levels go to university, and this does not vary by social class. However, only a quarter of students from lower socio-economic groups reach this level of achievement. In addition, the UK has one of the lowest staying-on rates post-16 in the OECD. Many universities are working hard to support schools and colleges to raise attainment, by providing support to teachers and pupils, enriching the curriculum and providing access to specialist facilities.
Universities UK supports efforts to widen participation by working with government and expert sector groups. We promote the work that universities are doing, and help them to learn from each other through sharing good practice.