New Social Mobility ranking of universities
It has been compiled for HEPI by the Vice-Chancellor of London South Bank University, Professor David Phoenix.
Designing an English Social Mobility Index was first published last year but has been refined this year. The results show a wider spread of institutions than other university league tables.
Professor David Phoenix, Vice-Chancellor of LSBU, said:
“With new higher education funding proposals from Government and a revised Teaching Excellence Framework on the horizon, it is more vital than ever for universities to be able to publicly demonstrate the value they add to their students. I hope this latest version of the Social Mobility Index will provide a valuable tool for institutions to reflect on their work in this area with reference to their own mission and peer groups.”
Professor Shirley Congdon, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Bradford, said:
“Enabling social mobility by expanding opportunity and enabling the fulfilment of potential is fundamental to our University strategy. To be recognised as the leading university in the country for the second year running really is testament to our commitment to supporting our students to achieve the best outcomes as graduates and to making a real difference to their life chances.”
Saskia Loer Hansen, Interim Vice-Chancellor & Chief Executive of Aston University, said:
“I am delighted that Aston University has retained its second place position in the English Social Mobility Index. At Aston University, we take great pride in being inclusive, providing opportunities for students irrespective of background. It is getting on, and not just getting in, that really counts. Our students stay the course, reach high levels of attainment, and as the 2022 Index evidences, go on to succeed in their chosen professions and in making a positive difference in their communities.”
Professor Colin Bailey, President and Principal, Queen Mary University of London, said:
“We are delighted, for a second year running, to be ranked third among all English universities and top among the Russell Group in the English Social Mobility Index. We were equally pleased to be named the top University in the country for social mobility in the Sutton Trust and IFS report of November 2021. As Professor Phoenix points out, the two reports are significantly different in methodology. Recruiting students from backgrounds typically under-represented at research-intensive universities like ours, and supporting them to succeed, is at the heart of everything we stand for as a University. We are therefore proud that, whichever way you look at it, we are demonstrating progress in delivering on our mission to open the doors of opportunity to everyone who has the potential to succeed, irrespective of their background.”
Nick Hillman, Director of the Higher Education Policy Institute (HEPI), said:
“Based partly on how institutions are assessed abroad, Professor Phoenix has come up with an absolutely fascinating way of evaluating the impact of different higher education institutions in England. Unlike many other league tables, there is huge diversity – the top 10 includes four former Colleges of Advanced Technology (Bradford, Aston, City and Salford), three Russell Group institutions (QMUL, KCL and the LSE) , two former polytechnics (Birmingham City and Wolverhampton) and an institution that became a full university less than a decade ago (Newman). It all confirms that our higher education sector has strength in breadth.”
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