The University of Southampton is teaming up with social mobility charity the Sutton Trust to run on-campus summer schools for prospective university students.
Southampton will join the Trust's UK Summer Schools consortium in 2026 - expanding opportunities for high-attaining students and strengthening provision in regions where access to selective higher education remains uneven.
The move will help the University in its commitment to widening participation for groups which are under-represented in the HE sector, providing students with first-hand exposure to undergraduate study through lectures, tutorials and project work, as well as tailored support on university admissions and transition.
Executive Director of Student Life at the University of Southampton, Gino Graziano, comments: "Joining the Sutton Trust consortium represents an exciting next step for us. We share the Trust's belief that opportunity should not depend on where a student lives, and we see real value in working alongside the wider consortium to strengthen access across the South of England. We're looking forward to contributing to the academic offer, learning from other partners and helping build a stronger national approach to social mobility."
Southampton currently offers around 80 places to 16 to 18-year-olds on its free, annual, residential summer schools . The University aims to continue and expand on this success as part of the Trust's consortium, offering experience in subjects such as Biological Sciences, History and English, Business, Economics, Law, Engineering, Physics and Geography.
Now in its 29th year, the Sutton Trust reaches over 2,300 students annually and prioritises young people from lower socio-economic backgrounds. It demonstrates sustained impact, with independent analysis showing participants in its programme are 60 percent more likely to enter higher education, and 46 percent more likely to enrol at a research-intensive university, compared with unsuccessful applicants.
The University of Southampton's involvement will ensure that more students from coastal and southern areas can access a high-quality, subject-specific experience that supports confidence, informed decision-making, skills development and a strong sense of belonging.
Commenting on the announcement, Jon Datta, Head of University Access and Digital at the Sutton Trust , said: "We are delighted to welcome the University of Southampton into the Sutton Trust university consortium. Their commitment to social mobility is clear and embedded across the institution. Expanding into the South of England also strengthens the programme nationally, ensuring that talented students from a broader range of communities can access high-quality summer school provision that builds confidence, strengthens applications and supports progression into higher education."
