Impact

Impact

Real-world examples highlighting the positive economic, societal and cultural impacts of Russell Group universities in every region and nation of the UK.

Feature: Access & participation

19 February 2025
Impact story
Access & participation
University of Exeter

University of Exeter's bespoke access pathway for mature students

A mature student working in a classroom
20 January 2025
Impact story
Access & participation
UCL

UCL partnerships are widening access to HE for pupils across London

15 February 2025
Impact story
Access & participation
Research
University of Warwick

The Warwick study making life better for care leavers

17 January 2025
Impact story
Access & participation
University of Oxford

Opening new access pathways to Oxford

Access & participation
University of Exeter

University of Exeter's bespoke access pathway for mature students

The Mature Access Pathway (MAP) was launched to support mature students - those over the age of 21 applying to study their first undergraduate degree - in their progression to higher education.

A mature student working in a classroom
Innovation
University of Leeds

Driving innovation for a healthier, greener and inclusive future for Leeds

The University of Leeds is driving regional innovation and economic growth through its place-based approach, leveraging research and innovation expertise, student talent, and collaborative partnerships.

Two members of staff stand chatting inside the Nexus innovation hub at Leeds University
Innovation
University of Edinburgh

Driving investment in innovation in Edinburgh and beyond

The University of Edinburgh has helped deliver innovation-led growth in Scotland and across the UK by helping businesses secure more than £200m of investment over the past five years.

A young woman stands in front of Edinburgh's university building with her back to the camera, wearing a hoodie emblazoned with the word 'Entrepreneur'
Innovation
Research
University of York

University of York and Greensphere Capital: commercialising solutions to climate change and biodiversity loss

The University of York has partnered with sustainability investor Greensphere Capital in a £150 million fund designed to invest in and scale market-leading businesses that successfully commercialise solutions to the…

Access & participation
UCL

UCL partnerships are widening access to HE for pupils across London

Through access and widening participation work, UCL reaches around 1,000 schools and colleges each year, working with teachers and pupils from aged seven until 18

Research
University of Sheffield

Building a global Advanced Manufacturing hub in Sheffield

The University of Sheffield transformed the former Orgreave coking plant – the site of violent clashes between pickets and police during the miners’ strike in 1984 - into a global hub for advanced manufacturing…

Innovation
Research
Queen Mary University of London

Queen Mary research is shaping the future of solar energy

Queen Mary Innovation (QMI) is a technology transfer company wholly owned by Queen Mary University of London. QMI has entered into over 400 IP agreements returning over £20 million to Queen Mary from…

Innovation
University of Manchester

Turing Innovation Catalyst Manchester

The Turing Innovation Catalyst Manchester (TIC) was established in April 2023 with £5m of seed funding secured from the GM Innovation Accelerator scheme, a two-year pilot programme run by Innovate UK to link local R…

Access & participation
University of Manchester

10/10: building a sense of belonging and community for students in Manchester

10/10 offers a series of tailored events and opportunities that support students to find community, build belonging and develop confidence in their place at the University of Manchester.

A black woman applauds at an event in Manchester's Black Leadership Programme
Access & participation
University of Liverpool

Upskilling Liverpool school students in maths, science and computing

The University of Liverpool Maths School (ULMaS) is the first school in the North West of England to specialise in delivering an academic curriculum focused around A-levels in maths, further maths, computer science…

Students and staff outside the University of Liverpool Maths School
Access & participation
University of Liverpool

Supporting first-generation and care experienced students in Liverpool

The University of Liverpool offers a wide range of schemes to support first-generation students once they arrive on campus, during their studies, and after they graduate.

Liverpool student Amy Jo Mook
Innovation
King's College London

KCL business students supporting London SMEs and charities

Since 2017/18, King’s Business School (KBS) has run a project which has provided KBS student consultancy support to over 100 SMEs and charities, primarily based in the London boroughs of Lambeth, Southwark and…

Access & participation
King's College London

KCL extended medical degree is widening participation to medicine

The 6-year Extended Medical Degree Programme (EMDP) offered by King’s College London is aimed at educationally disadvantaged students and students from non-traditional backgrounds who have the potential to complete a…

A group of students on the extended medical degree programme
Innovation
Research
University of Glasgow

Strengthening Scotland's sovereign capabilities in critical technologies

The Critical Technologies Accelerator (CTA), a University of Glasgow programme, aims to strengthen Scotland's manufacturing base by developing semiconductor, photonics and quantum technologies essential for…

Access & participation
Education
Durham University

Durham Learning Alliance: giving people the skills they need to get on in life

Durham University and four County Durham colleges are working together to expand education opportunities and drive economic growth in North East England.

Access & participation
Education
Durham University

Durham Learning Alliance: giving people the skills they need to get on in life

Durham University and four County Durham colleges are working together to expand education opportunities and drive economic growth in North East England.