Social Mobility Commission - "Time for Change" report

28 June 2017

Responding to the Social Mobility Commission report - “Time for change: an assessment of government policies on social mobility 1997-2017”, Sarah Stevens, Head of Policy at the Russell Group, said:

“Russell Group universities work closely with schools and colleges to ensure that all students, including those from disadvantaged backgrounds, have the opportunity to access higher education. Our free online Advancing Access initiative provides teachers with comprehensive information and advice about our universities’ admissions processes, helping them to support students with the potential to progress to a Russell Group university.

“When disadvantaged students come to our universities, they receive a range of academic, pastoral and financial support to ease their transition to university, help them succeed in their studies and progress to work or further study.

“This combination of support is highly effective. The drop-out rate for disadvantaged students is, on average, half that of other universities.”

Ends

Related case studies

Warwick 2+2

Many of the students on the University of Warwick’s 2+2 Social Studies and Health and Social Policy course left school at 16, perhaps not having previously considered attending a leading university and going on to a graduate job.

Read more >

Further examples of Russell Group universities providing information, advice and guidance

The Russell Group and its member universities invest significant time and resources in developing and delivering high quality information, advice and guidance initiatives to address the lack of relevant information – or worse, misinformation – that can create ‘false barriers’ to access. 

Read more >