Salford named top five in the country for social mobility

The Index measures the social distance travelled by socio-economically disadvantaged graduates from each higher education institution in England as well as the proportion of graduates so transported. It combines access, continuation and outcomes measures for undergraduates for all modes of study (except apprenticeships).

The new methodology incorporates Graduate Outcomes data with the Index of Multiple Deprivation Quintile. The changes have been welcomed by many institutions, who feel it better demonstrates the value that universities add to their students’ life chances.

The news comes days after the University attended the 2024 Times Higher Education Awards after being nominated in the Widening Participation and Outreach category. Judges were impressed with our support for the launch of learning centre IntoUniversity Salford Central. Since opening in 2022 the facility has provided long-term support to 1,780 young people from economically disadvantaged backgrounds.

In addition, Salford works with schools and colleges in the Greater Manchester area to provide impartial information, advice and guidance about pathways into higher education and the university experience to young people. We are also part of Greater Manchester Higher, a collaborative network of Universities and colleges in Greater Manchester working as part of the Uni Connect project.

Vice-Chancellor Professor Nic Beech said: “Being named in the top five in the county for social mobility is a great accolade for Salford, and one which aligns with our commitment to improving opportunities and access to higher education.

“The University has a long history of using outreach to inspire, engage and enable those who may not have considered university to reach their full potential, and our dedicated academic, technical and professional staff are really focused on enabling students from all backgrounds to succeed.

“I am very grateful to all our staff, and proud of our fabulous students, for the strides they are making in this space and our collective dedication to making society a fairer place for all.”

The Rt Hon. Bridget Phillipson MP, the Secretary of State for Education, said: "Despite growing up in a deeply disadvantaged area, I had the opportunity to go to university – but I was one of the lucky ones. Breaking the link between where a young person grows up and the opportunities they have is central to our mission.

“Following the recent measures taken to stabilise universities, we will now demand more from the sector through far-reaching reform – including opening up access to working-class young people.

“We are committed to restoring universities as engines of opportunity, growth and aspiration. We will fix the foundations of higher education to deliver change for students.”

Professor David Phoenix, Vice-Chancellor of LSBU, who compiles the Index for HEPI, said: “The 2024 English Higher Education Social Mobility Index highlights once again that universities up and down the country are breaking down barriers to opportunity.

“The new Secretary of State for Education, Bridget Phillipson MP, has been clear that she expects higher education providers to play a stronger role in expanding and improving outcomes for disadvantaged students. I hope, therefore, that the Index provides a useful tool for universities across the sector.

“Institutions making a strong impact on social mobility can use it to evidence their contribution while those universities that wish to increase their support for disadvantaged students can use it help identify good practice and to work out the most appropriate way of doing so in accordance with their institutional mission.”

Find the index in on HEPI's website.