Universities as drivers of social mobility

A degree can open doors to higher-paid, professional roles and fulfilling career opportunities. Graduates earn 37 per cent more than people who did not go to university, and the gap is a percentage point higher for those from economically deprived areas, a 2025 Universities UK analysis found.

Yet despite the advantages, for some, university can feel a world away – especially when study requires a significant upfront investment of money and time. Just 20 per cent of students enrolled in UK higher education came from lower working-class backgrounds in 2025, compared with 42 per cent from higher professional backgrounds, according to a Social Mobility Commission report. Although the gap is narrowing, persistent disparities in participation and attainment have prompted efforts to improve equitable access, support first-generation students and those with work and caring responsibilities, help students struggling to make ends meet, and make the “hidden curriculum” visible to those who lack the academic and social capital to navigate the system. 

Universities’ work often begins before enrolment and continues as graduates transition into the workforce. This collection provides advice on supporting the role of higher education in improving students’ lives, whatever the stage they enter university or their definition of success. It includes providing opportunities to make connections and build the skills that will make them stand out in the job market. 

Level the playing field for BTEC students entering university: A cross-sectoral shared commitment to improving transition, retention and academic preparedness can help universities better serve BTEC entrants, says Chris Johnson from the University of Chester.

Is it time to rethink social mobility discourse and the meaning of success? We must remember that although social mobility is a valuable goal, it’s not one with which all students are willing or able to conform, say Louise Ashley and William Monteith from Queen Mary University of London.

White privilege doesn’t exist for working-class men in higher education: Consider social class a protected characteristic and remove financial barriers to make HE accessible to white, working-class men, writes Mark Butterick.

How university leaders can use an ‘innovation for’ mindset to drive enrolment: For US colleges and universities, the key to turning around falling enrolment is to directly respond to concerns about affordability, accessibility and return on investment, writes Nivine Megahed from National Louis University.

Reach socially disadvantaged students pre-enrolment

Outreach initiatives can demystify higher education and inspire students from historically under-represented groups to consider pursuing a degree. They can also better prepare them for the realities of university study. Discover how to balance academic rigour, career relevance and fun in these resources. 

Widen access to higher education by improving school attainment: With school attainment a key driver of progression to university, outreach must go beyond traditional interventions to widen access. Matthew Lucas from UCL offers five evidence-led ways to design educationally robust programmes.

Why investment earlier in the pipeline would strengthen diversity in STEM: Persistent inequities in uptake of science, engineering, technology and mathematics begin before college. Drawing on evidence from K-12 talent development programmes, Keisha Simmons from Georgia Tech offers practical guidance to strengthen the STEM pipeline.

Snails, Jaffa Cakes and rubber ducks: making university outreach playful: Outreach initiatives such as School Tasking show how academics can make higher education feel accessible rather than intimidating, say Ali Struthers from the University of Warwick and Alex Horne.

Raising aspirations – lessons in running a young scholars programme: Widening access to higher education for children from disadvantaged backgrounds is a priority for UK universities. Here, Valsa Koshy from Brunel University London outlines lessons from a successful programme for primary school pupils.

Income should not determine outcomes for young musicians: If we accept the view that music education is only for the rich, it makes us complicit in stifling the life choices of talented artists, writes Jennie Henley from Royal Northern College of Music.

Student ambassadors: key players in widening participation: Ellie Nik from University of Technology Sydney explains how to design and run a student ambassador programme to support widening participation initiatives. 

What we learned from a pilot study aimed at getting first-generation students into pharmacy: Many students have little knowledge of the role of a pharmacist. This is even more so for first-generation students. Carl Harrington and Rosemary Norton from the University of East Anglia offer insights. 

More spotlight guides:

• The secrets of successful university outreach
• Boosting AI literacy across your institution
• Make learning accessible to all in higher education

Fairer admissions for students from low-income backgrounds 

Long-winded application processes can deter students from applying to university. Meanwhile, school attainment gaps place privileged students at an advantage when admissions criteria focus on academic achievement. Prospective students need guidance, and admissions criteria should recognise a more diverse set of achievements, argue the authors of these resources.

How to ensure college admissions are equitable and accessible: Advice on what higher education administrators can do to ensure a more equitable and accessible admissions process for all students, from Aimee Huffstetler at Gwynedd Mercy University.

Transforming admissions for first-gen university student enrolment: College admissions faculty play a vital role in attracting and retaining first-generation college students, writes Juan Espinoza from Virginia Tech.

Help first-gen students navigate university life

For first-generation students, a lack of experience of higher education in the family can compound their anxiety when they start university. Learn how small tweaks in language, cultivating a growth mindset and developing resilience can make a difference for these students. 

Gatekeepers or greeters? We must demystify university for first-gen students: Stone Meredith from Colorado State University Global explains how using positive introductory phrases can help first-generation students.

How to help first-generation students navigate the challenges of higher education: Strategies such as mentoring programmes and conversations that celebrate their achievements can help first-gen students succeed, says Lyn R. Keith from the University of the West Indies.

Resilience and empowerment: reframing the narrative for first-gen students: Based on her own experience, Lisa M. Lee from Virginia Tech explains how universities can support students from a place of strength rather than deficit.

‘Social mobility is about the whole student journey’: If your student is the first person in their family to go to university, what do they need to know? Rulianda Purnomo Wibowo from Universitas Sumatera Utara outlines three ways to help them adjust to university life.

How knowledge exchange engages and retains disadvantaged students: Offering disadvantaged students the opportunity to take part in consultancy projects where they can make an impact on complex social issues can boost engagement, says Neale Daniel from Anglia Ruskin University. 

Prepare students to meet the challenges of the workplace

Work experience placements and internships provide avenues for students to develop professional skills. But what if students do not have the time or resources to take up such opportunities or the social capital to secure them in the first place? These resources offer guidance to ensure students graduate with the competencies they will need to stand out in a competitive job market. 

Three steps to unearth the hidden curriculum of networking: How to support students in developing networking skills that will enhance their future career prospects, by Julia Freeland Fisher from The Clayton Christensen Institute.

Social mobility through career readiness: techniques to help students get there: Students might not acquire professional interpersonal skills on their own. So, if universities are serious about social mobility, they need to give learners opportunities to practise before they meet with prospective employers, says Alyssa Rametta from Virginia Tech.

Make employability accessible by embedding it in curricula: Natalie Freeman from the University of East Anglia offers guidance to help students recognise, value and communicate the workplace skills they already have.

What is the cost of students’ social mobility from a community ties perspective? Personal networking strategies can influence academic integration and emotional stability of students from under-represented communities. Ágnes Lukács J. and Beáta Dávid from Semmelweis University offer ways to support these groups.

What about students who can’t take a placement year? Danny Buckley from Loughborough University, Natalia Vershinina from Audencia Business School and Julia Cook from De Montfort University share ways to support students juggling multiple responsibilities and help them articulate the skills they gain beyond their studies.

Social mobility via social media: opportunities for career services: University career services can make greater use of social media to support social mobility among their students, write William E. Donald from the University of Southampton and Kaz Scattergood from the University of Liverpool.

The university’s role in developing social capital

Students from lower-income backgrounds are less likely to have access to professional networks. Tailored interventions can fill the gaps, as these resources show. 

Universities must take a more holistic approach to social mobility: Financial support is only part of the equation. Human and social capital are also crucial for helping students from disadvantaged backgrounds, says Andrew Burke from Trinity College Dublin.

Practical ways to support students struggling with finances

Higher education is a significant investment, and for those with greater financial barriers, cost can determine whether an individual applies for university and whether they can complete their course. By making it easier to access support and equipping students with financial management skills, among other strategies, staff can reduce the burden. 

Creating safe spaces for students to talk about financial difficulties: Poor financial health can lead to mental health difficulties and isolation for students. Here, Caroline Deylaud Koukabi and Joanna West from the University of Luxembourg offer tips for giving students space to discuss concerns amid the cost-of-living crisis.

Pay it forward: how to help students secure financial aid: Advice on how college administrators can help prospective and enrolled students secure financial aid to see them through higher education, by Aimee Huffstetler from Gwynedd Mercy University.

How financial literacy empowers first-generation students: Institutions that aspire to be truly inclusive must go beyond scholarships and access policies to embed financial literacy, writes Manjari Sharma from Christ (Deemed to be University). This can be done through workshops, mentoring and career services.

Food insecurity and homelessness affect all our campuses. Here’s what we should do about it: Nearly a quarter of undergraduate students will experience food and housing insecurity in the US. Sara Goldrick-Rab from Education Northwest suggests ways faculty and institutions can intervene before it’s too late.

How can we better support students experiencing homelessness or housing insecurity? Universities must take a joined-up, person-centred approach to homelessness and housing insecurity, ensuring every student can access support, feel they belong and succeed, says Birmingham City University’s Melanie-Marie Haywood.

Thank you to all Campus contributors who shared their expertise in this guide.

If you would like advice and insight from academics and university staff delivered direct to your inbox each week, sign up for the Campus newsletter.