Middlesex University top in England for recruiting disadvantaged students

New Social Mobility Commission report ranks Middlesex number one for access to university, welcoming more students from underrepresented communities.

Middlesex University has been named top university in England for recruiting students from lower socio-economic backgrounds, according to new findings from the Social Mobility Commission.

The rankings show Middlesex leading the way by opening up access to university study, with other London universities also in the top ten. This compares with nearly one-third of English universities where students from lower socio-economic backgrounds are underrepresented, even when they meet the institutions’ entry requirements.

The report compares the socio-economic backgrounds of each university’s student intake with those of students who met the universities’ entry requirements. The analysis suggests that while the majority of universities (71%) have a student intake that is more disadvantaged than the population achieving their entry requirements, nearly a third (29%) enrol more advantaged students. These are predominantly Russell Group universities.

Commenting on the findings and Middlesex’s position in the rankings, Middlesex University Vice-Chancellor, Professor Shân Wareing, said:

“We are delighted that the Social Mobility Commission has recognised Middlesex University as the leading university in England for recruiting students from disadvantaged backgrounds. Creating opportunity through education is at the heart of everything we do.

“This recognition reflects years of working alongside schools, colleges and communities across North London to ensure that talent and ambition, not background or circumstance, determine who can benefit from higher education.”

The Commission is calling on universities to use the tool to review how their current academic requirements, recruitment and outreach policies may be directly or indirectly discouraging students from less advantaged backgrounds from applying or enrolling.

The approach aims to demonstrate that widening access does not require lowering academic standards, while helping universities identify potential barriers to enrolment.

When recruiting students, Middlesex looks beyond exam results to consider applicants’ work and lived experience, and the barriers they may have faced in their learning. Initiatives such as Barnet Lifelong Learning extend this commitment, widening educational opportunities for local young people.

Professor Wareing also highlighted how the results reflect Middlesex’s sustained commitment to social mobility as part of its core mission to ensure that education is accessible to all who can benefit from it, regardless of their circumstances or family background.Professor Wareing said:

“Our responsibility to widening access does not end when students arrive on campus or even when they graduate. We are committed to helping every student thrive and build a successful career.

“As one of London’s leading providers of nurses, midwives, teachers and social workers, we are not only transforming individual lives but strengthening the communities our students go on to serve. We prepare our students to lead and shape their professions and society. This is what social mobility looks like in practice.”

Alun Francis, Chair of the Social Mobility Commission, said:

“This research focuses on a simple question: from the pool of students who meet their entry requirements, do universities recruit equally across all socio-economic backgrounds? The evidence suggests that many do, but not all.

“Where disparities exist, there may be good explanations, but we would encourage all universities to examine every stage of the student journey, from outreach and applications through to admissions and affordability, and any other relevant factors, to ensure talented students are not missing out because of their background.”