We are partnering with the charity upReach to improve chances of disadvantaged young people getting into good universities and then on to good graduate jobs.
Our partnership with upReach
The charity upReach work to create the conditions for undergraduates from less-advantaged backgrounds to access and sustain top graduate jobs.
They have reserved a number of spaces on their programme each year for our students.
Nathan Sansom, our Chief Executive, said: “It’s so great to work with a charity that fits so well with the mission of The Access Project. We work hard to get disadvantaged young people into university, and ensure they transition into university life well. Through working with upReach, our students will continue to receive support at university to help them reach the career of their dreams. This partnership will enable us to level the playing field for disadvantaged young people.”
John Craven, Chief Executive of upReach said: “upReach have long recognised the importance of The Access Project’s vital work supporting disadvantaged young people into university, and we are delighted to be starting this partnership. For young people from disadvantaged backgrounds, the work does not stop after a successful transition to university because unfortunately, getting a good degree alone is not enough to secure a top graduate job. Our collaboration with The Access Project will support their young people who have succeeded against the odds to secure a place at university to build the employability skills, professional networks and work experiences required to succeed after they graduate.”
Supporting disadvantaged young people
Only four out of every 100 young people from the most disadvantaged backgrounds get a place at a top university. Young people from the most advantaged backgrounds were three times more likely to get a place.
In addition, only 30% of those on some graduate schemes come from non-selective state schools, according to upReach. Graduates from lower income households earn 10% less than others studying the same course at the same university, according to the Institute for Fiscal Studies.
Levelling the playing field
Both The Access Project and upReach work to level the playing field for disadvantaged young people – the former with improving access to higher education, and the latter to graduate employment.
We provide mentoring and tuition to young people from poorer backgrounds. Students who come through our programme are more than twice as likely to attend top universities as similarly disadvantaged students, according to UCAS.
In 2019/20 more of our students than ever before accessed top universities – with 69% placing, compared with 61% the year before.
86.5% of upReach’s 2018 graduates were in highly skilled employment or further study 15 months after graduation. They had a median average salary of £28,000 – £4,000 more than the national average.