Supporting learning, changing lives
Tackling inequalities
Educational inequality comes with a cost for individuals and communities.
Gaps in attainment at school emerge early, impacting the life chances of students from disadvantaged backgrounds. Russell Group universities work in their communities to deliver the early interventions needed to help tackle inequalities, raise attainment and give children the best start in life.
Our universities work in partnerships with schools to engage tens of thousands of students each year. Activities include familiarising students with university campuses, developing lesson plans and teaching materials, and providing training for teachers who help pupils as they think about their post-16 options.
Russell Group universities also sponsor schools directly, many of which specialise in STEM subjects like maths, working to address local skills gaps and helping pupils prepare for and succeed in higher education.
Access to new technologies and facilities
Technologies and facilities at Russell Group universities help underpin the high-quality education they offer students and cutting-edge R&D that is driving growth and creating jobs in every corner of the UK.
Researchers and students are not the only groups benefitting from access to digital resources, lab spaces, lecture halls and other facilities on campus. Through partnerships with schools, groups of parents, sports teams, charities and community groups, our universities are opening their doors to local people, ensuring research breakthroughs and investment in new facilities has the widest possible positive impact.
Outreach work is also helping Russell Group universities take new technologies directly into their local communities.
Opportunities to gain new skills
Russell Group universities recognise people take different paths to learning.
Our institutions work with local partners, including business and community groups, to develop lifelong learning opportunities targeting skills gaps, providing options for adults who have traditionally faced barriers accessing education or skills training, and for individuals with work or caring responsibilities.
Interventions are designed to meet specific local needs and help people get on in life.
Our universities work with more than 500 local and national employers to offer a mixture of advanced, higher and degree apprenticeships to provide people with opportunities to learn and develop in the way that works best for them.