Intervention Strategy 1
Objective: To increase the proportion of applications from students eligible for Free School Meals by 2030 through working in partnerships with schools to address prior knowledge and attainment gaps, providing high quality information, advice and guidance, and changing perceptions of Higher Education.
The Brilliant Club Tutoring programme involves trained PhD tutors in core subjects working with small groups of students (3 students to 1 tutor). The Brilliant Club Scholars Programme provides pupils aged 8-18 from non-selective state schools the opportunity to work in small groups with a PhD researcher to experience university-style learning.
Further information can be found on the The Brilliant Club website.
The Evolve programme includes a wide range of workshops delivered to Year 12 and 13 students on topics such as Study and Life Skills, Exploring HE Options and Applying to University, and Student Life at University.
This project, part of the ASCENTS 121 Support for Science programme, trained university STEM students to be mentors and paired them with year 11 pupils. University mentors provided 23 weeks of one-to-one hour-long sessions in science subjects and a revision session in the weeks leading up to the year 11 students’ GCSE exams. Mentors received training from Northumbria University and their allocated school and received ongoing support from a trained university programme manager.
Further information on this programme can be found on the National Centre for Social Research website and the Education Endowment Foundation website.
IntoUniversity Newcastle East centre delivers school focus week programmes, after school academic support and mentoring. The centre supports young people from disadvantaged neighbourhoods to attain their chosen aspiration, including further and higher education, employment and work-based training.
Further information available on the Into University website and in the Into University Impact Report.
The Junior Evolve Programme is a sustained, progressive programme of activity delivered to students in Year 5 and 6, and Year 7-11 in schools with high proportions of FSM students.
The programme includes sessions focused on core subjects, introduction to Higher Education, academic sessions and IAG.
NUSTEM works across the North-East of England, primarily through partner schools and wider network of schools. They aim for regular, ongoing and sustained interactions with students and their key influencers: their teachers, and their families. Through the partnerships, NUSTEM develops and tests new activities and resources that can be used by teachers in their own schools. The programme includes a series of workshops and assemblies focused on STEM careers and developing an increased understanding of courses at university.
Further information is available on the NUSTEM website, along with the Theory of Change, 5 Year Impact Study and 6 Year Impact Report
The Northumbria Subject Experience Weeks provide students with the opportunity to attend university lectures, interview an academic researcher or PG student, and create and showcase a research poster whilst exploring facilities and experiencing life at university. Currently the Subject Experience Weeks cover Physics, Maths and Chemistry and eligible pupils are those in in year 12 from schools in areas of deprivation, or who are from Q1 or 2 IMD postcodes.
Further information is available on the Subject Experience Weeks website.
The Destination Northumbria supported entry scheme offers a range of support and opportunities, to help students throughout their journey to Northumbria University. Sessions include application advice and guidance, mentoring using current UG students, introduction to support services at the university and academic sessions. In addition to the information and support provided through the scheme, successful completion enables eligible students to earn Destination Northumbria points, equivalent to UCAS tariff points, when applying to Northumbria University. Eligibility for participation on the scheme is based on a range of widening participation criteria.
The North East UniConnect Programme is a partnership between the universities and colleges in the North East who are working together to support young people and their key networks (parents/carers and teachers/advisers) to explore the range of options throughout their education. Their work aims to remove the academic, financial and cultural barriers to higher education to ensure that all young people, irrespective of circumstance, have the information, skills and support to achieve their ambitions.
Further information on the programme can be found on the Outreach North East website and on Northumbria University Partnerships page.
Intervention Strategy 2
Objective: Significantly reduce the gaps in student success (continuation, completion, and attainment) between students of low and high socioeconomic status (TUNDRA Q1 & 2, IMD Q1 & 2 and eligible for free school meals) by 2030 through improving access to academic, pastoral, mental health and financial support and creating a sense of belonging.
There are students who come to Northumbria who, due to either circumstances or lack of financial skills, come into financial difficulties while studying at university.
Through both financial intervention and educating our students we aim to remove these financial barriers so our students may complete their course and reach their full potential.
The Peer Wellbeing Adviser project aims to use a peer support model to provide early intervention mental health and wellbeing support to Northumbria students.
Peer Assisted Study Skills are student-led study and academic support sessions delivered within a number of departments across the University.
Student Inclusion Consultants (SICs) have lived experience, or a strong understanding, of the barriers that our underrepresented students may face whilst at University. They work in partnership with our staff to promote inclusive practice and enhance the student experience.
SICs are current Northumbria University students who are recruited every academic year from all faculties and departments. Their role is flexible, to fit around their studies and other commitments.
Links for further information -
Hear what some of our SICs have to say about their experience the team
Zine Collection - Elevating underrepresented student voice via the Inclusive Reciprocal Insight Scheme (IRIS)
We offer a range of support to students as they transition to university including an on-campus event in September and NU Discover, our tailored 6- week programme of support delivered by current students.
Intervention Strategy 3
Objective: Improve outcomes for care experienced students, estranged students and student carers across the life-cycle (access, continuation, completion, attainment and progression) by 2028 through improving personal, academic and mental health support, reducing cost pressures and improving access to work experience and careers guidance.
The North East Raising Aspiration Partnership is a collaboration of the five universities in the North East of England, who are committed to providing additional support for students who are care experienced or a young carer. These targeted programmes provide an immersive experience to support young people throughout their educational journey.
Further information is available on the North East Raising Aspiration Partnership website and the Northumbria University partnerships page.
NU Belong is a package of practical assistance and advice offered by designated student support staff from the Inclusive Student Experience Team. NU Belong encompasses this support via a consistent and trusted point of contact for undergraduate students who hold care leaver status, are independent due to estrangement, Young Adult Carers and students who are Sanctuary Scholars (undergraduate and postgraduate).
It is committed to supporting students to ensure that the University enables success rather than presenting further barriers to learning. NU Belong staff work collaboratively with recruitment and outreach staff and liaise closely with other services across Student, Library and Academic Services to ensure our students receive high quality and appropriate support and advice, effective referrals, and enhanced engagement at every stage of their student journey.
Through a tailored offer of support, we aim to ensure that students feel empowered, encouraged, and engaged from pre-entry through to graduation.
IGNITE
By engaging attendees in interactive workshops and projects, IGNITE aims to boost undergraduates’ career confidence, develop employability skills, and broaden career horizons through networking with Northumbria alumni and employer partners. The programme is flexible, letting students attend online or in person by selecting events based on their availability and interests. Each event is worth points, and students earn points towards achieving a bronze, silver, or gold certificates in recognition of their achievements.
View the Ignite programme Theory of Change
Employability Learning Fund (ELF)
The Employability Learning Fund (ELF) is a financial support initiative designed to help students access work experience and experiential learning opportunities without worrying about the costs. The Fund is designed to unlock opportunities, such as attending interviews, assessment centres, industry conferences, networking events, relevant training, or purchasing professional clothing for interviews and events.
In our 2023/24 year at Unite Foundation, we made advances through advocacy and campaigning to lower the barriers faced by care experienced and estranged students in Higher Education, we also expanded our student reach through the All of Us Community and continued to deliver our core scholarship offer for care experienced and estranged students - creating more awards with new institutions and funding partners.
You can read more about the difference made in our areas of activity in our 2025 Impact Report.
Further information can be found on the Unite Foundation website.
Intervention Strategy 4
Objective: Eliminate the gaps in student success (completion and attainment) and improve the on-course and progression outcomes between Black and White students by 2030 through improving personal, academic and mental health support, reducing cost pressures, creating a sense of belonging and improving access to work experience and careers guidance.
There are students who come to Northumbria who, due to either circumstances or lack of financial skills, come into financial difficulties while studying at university.
Through both financial intervention and educating our students we aim to remove these financial barriers so our students may complete their course and reach their full potential.
The Peer Wellbeing Adviser project aims to use a peer support model to provide early intervention mental health and wellbeing support to Northumbria students.
Peer Assisted Study Skills are student-led study and academic support sessions delivered within a number of departments across the University.
We offer a range of support to students as they transition to university including an on-campus event in September and NU Discover, our tailored 6- week programme of support delivered by current students.
Intervention Strategy 5
Objective: Eliminate the progression gap between Asian and White students by 2028 through improving access to work experience and tailored and targeted careers guidance and support.
There are students who come to Northumbria who, due to either circumstances or lack of financial skills, come into financial difficulties while studying at university.
Through both financial intervention and educating our students we aim to remove these financial barriers so our students may complete their course and reach their full potential.
Student Inclusion Consultants (SICs) have lived experience, or a strong understanding, of the barriers that our underrepresented students may face whilst at University. They work in partnership with our staff to promote inclusive practice and enhance the student experience.
SICs are current Northumbria University students who are recruited every academic year from all faculties and departments. Their role is flexible, to fit around their studies and other commitments.
Links for further information -
Hear what some of our SICs have to say about their experience on the team
These case studies provide further examples of the type of work that our SICs have undertaken and the impact they have made.
Zine Collection - Elevating underrepresented student voice via the Inclusive Reciprocal Insight Scheme (IRIS)
IGNITE
By engaging attendees in interactive workshops and projects, IGNITE aims to boost undergraduates’ career confidence, develop employability skills, and broaden career horizons through networking with Northumbria alumni and employer partners. The programme is flexible, letting students attend online or in person by selecting events based on their availability and interests. Each event is worth points, and students earn points towards achieving a bronze, silver, or gold certificates in recognition of their achievements.
View the IGNITE Theory of Change here.
Employability Learning Fund (ELF)
The Employability Learning Fund (ELF) is a financial support initiative designed to help students access work experience and experiential learning opportunities without worrying about the costs. The Fund is designed to unlock opportunities, such as attending interviews, assessment centres, industry conferences, networking events, relevant training, or purchasing professional clothing for interviews and events.
We offer a range of support to students as they transition to university including an on-campus event in September and NU Discover, our tailored 6- week programme of support delivered by current students.
Intervention Strategy 6
Objective: Significantly reduce the gaps in student success (continuation, completion and attainment) between male and female students by 2030 through improving personal, academic and mental health support and reducing cost pressures.
There are students who come to Northumbria who, due to either circumstances or lack of financial skills, come into financial difficulties while studying at university.
Through both financial intervention and educating our students we aim to remove these financial barriers so our students may complete their course and reach their full potential.
The Peer Wellbeing Adviser project aims to use a peer support model to provide early intervention mental health and wellbeing support to Northumbria students.
Peer Assisted Study Skills are student-led study and academic support sessions delivered within a number of departments across the University.
We offer a range of support to students as they transition to university including an on-campus event in September and NU Discover, our tailored 6- week programme of support delivered by current students.
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