Northumbria University launches Social Mobility Impact Report

Northumbria University has launched a new report that sets out its social impact and identifies where it is spreading opportunity to those who need it most. 

The Social Mobility Impact Report has been developed in partnership with former Education Secretary Rt Hon Justine Greening.  

Greening is Chair of the Purpose Coalition - a group of the UK's most innovative purpose-led leaders and organisations.

Northumbria University’s Social Mobility Impact Report demonstrates best practice initiatives and programmes that the University is undertaking to spread opportunity.

These include:

● Successful school years - The University has made sustained efforts to target schools in those areas which have traditionally had a low participation rate in higher education. By providing information and advice to pupils, it inspires them to begin to consider that university might be an option for them.

● Positive destinations post 16+ - Northumbria University is helping to close the opportunity gap for young people. It increases the number of school-leavers going on to further or higher education and improves their knowledge and skills so that they are better equipped to get in and do well there.

● Right Advice and experiences - Northumbria University works with students holistically to provide extensive academic, financial, mentoring and pastoral support throughout their time at the University.

● Achieve equality through diversity and inclusion - Northumbria University is determined to ensure that groups who face particular barriers to positive progression are not excluded from the opportunities that university affords. This extends to the provision of advice and information about routes to university in general and not just to Northumbria.

Importantly the report also proposes recommendations for future action that would further strengthen its position as a driver of significant, strategic and sustainable change in the region.

Professor Andrew Wathey CBE, Vice-Chancellor and Chief Executive of Northumbria University said: “We recognise that opportunities to access and succeed in higher education can have a direct impact on the prosperity of our region and its residents. In launching our Social Mobility Impact Report, we commit to developing further Northumbria’s role as a driver for social mobility in the North East and beyond.”

Justine Greening added: “Universities have a unique position as anchor institutions and can play a key role in spreading opportunity within their communities. Rates of participation in higher education in the North East are lower than other parts of the country. Northumbria University, under the leadership of its Vice-Chancellor, Professor Andrew Wathey and his team, is working hard to attract and support students, from all backgrounds and social groups.

“Moving forward Northumbria University has identified areas where it can go even further to spread opportunity - including extending the reach of its talent pipeline and building on work with its alumni network. It also aims to work in partnership with others within the region to build the North East’s economic success and boost social mobility. The examples of best practice shown in this report should inspire others to do more and make a real change.”

The full report can be found here: