While the tuition fee system has had a large amount of political and media attention in the last two decades, far less attention has been paid to the student maintenance system -- the amount of funding students have access to for day to day living expenses. But for many students, this funding is of more immediate importance, and can have a major…

This report reviews literature on both sides of the Atlantic to study the admissions process, specifically focusing on elements of the process which may prove to be particular barriers to disadvantaged students--including the University and College Admissions Service (UCAS) form, course choices, predicted grades, and personal statements--and looks…

The COVID-19 pandemic has caused complex challenges across the apprenticeship landscape. The unique position of apprenticeships -- which combine education, training and employment - has made the sector particularly vulnerable to the current health crisis. Impacts on training providers and access to learning are being compounded by the profound…

This report reviews national and international research on widening participation and access programmes to find out which methods are most likely to help disadvantaged pupils get into higher education. Analysis of existing research in the United States and United Kingdom suggests that summer schools, tutoring, and mentoring are among five methods…

A university degree is regarded as the "gold standard" to set young people up for their future careers, but it may not be the best path for potential graduates and others. With the ever increasing debt burden faced by graduates, and a glut of graduates in the labour market, might there be another option? This report looks at the…

The "Social Mobility Index" ranks all 533 parliamentary constituencies in England according to five measures of social mobility through education: (1) Performance of disadvantaged pupils in early years test; (2) Performance of disadvantaged pupils in Key Stage 2 tests; (3) Performance of disadvantaged pupils at GCSE; (4) Progress of…

Economic inequality is high and rising in a number of developed countries, including in the United Kingdom and the United States. There are growing concerns that this may have negative implications for equality of opportunity, and the extent to which social disadvantage is transmitted across generations. It is widely believed that providing…