Newcastle University

The Times Higher Awards recognise the achievements of the university sector across the country and this year’s winners were announced on Thursday night at a ceremony at the Grosvenor House Hotel, Park Lane, London.

The prize for ‘Widening Participation Initiative of the Year’ went to the Realising Opportunities programme, led by Newcastle.

Realising Opportunities is a collaboration of 12 leading universities promoting fair access to higher education and encouraging social mobility for able students from under-represented groups. 

Whilst considerable progress has been made within the higher education sector to widen participation, evidence showed that participation of disadvantaged young people accessing the most selective institutions remained low. 

Over 500 year 12 and 13 students targeted from educationally and socially disadvantaged backgrounds have been supported so far through the Realising Opportunities programme.  

Successful completion of the summer school results in students having their achievements recognised when applying through UCAS to any of the 12 universities involved.  This recognition and the support that the programme offers sets Realising Opportunities apart from any other widening participation initiative. 

Presenting the prize the judges at the Times Higher Awards said: “This is an innovative national partnership showing evidence of real impact and great potential. The use of e-mentoring by current students provides a real link with prospective students and has resulted in increased application rates to targeted courses. The obvious success of the project for all concerned indicates that the partnership will be developed in the future.”

Professor Ella Ritchie, Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Newcastle University said: “This is wonderful news for all 12 Universities who have been involved in this ground-breaking programme. Realising Opportunities has demonstrated that by providing a structured programme of activities targeted at harder to reach groups we can make a real difference to raising aspirations and increasing the number of young people choosing to go on to University. 

“This has been a real team effort at Newcastle and reflects our overall commitment to widening participation. The University has committed £51m over the next five years to support work in schools and outreach projects aimed at dispelling a few myths, explaining what opportunities can come from being at a University like Newcastle. For the past 18 years we have been working with pupils from schools right across the region, running summer schools, taster events, masterclasses, student shadowing, campus tours and placing our current students in their schools, to help show them that Newcastle is within their reach.”

Newcastle University was also shortlisted at this year’s Times Higher Awards under the categories of Outstanding Contribution to Sustainable Development and Excellence and Innovation in the Arts.