Pupils in Scotland on a unique programme, which aims to improve educational opportunities for young people, have seen a positive impact on their rates of progression to university.

Now in its fourth year, the ground-breaking partnership between the Universities of Edinburgh and Glasgow and educational charity IntoUniversity has supported thousands of young people in the Craigmillar area in Edinburgh and Glasgow’s Maryhill and Govan.

The ongoing project aims to expand opportunities for those who may face challenges during their schooling, with close to 4,000 school pupils accessing the service in the past year alone.

As the project enters its second phase, the partners are looking to obtain further funding to secure the ongoing operation of the centres and explore new opportunities for community engagement projects.

Since the IntoUniversity centres opened, more than 70 per cent of school leavers from the programme have progressed to university or college, compared with the national average of 24 per cent of those from similar backgrounds.

The three centres have teams of specially trained staff who work closely with local schools in areas traditionally associated with social deprivation.

Each centre provides a programme of after-school academic support, mentoring, workshops and work experience for young people aged between seven and eighteen years old.

The centres have seen growing numbers of pupils taking part in the programme, with a jump of more than ten per cent in the past year – from 3,592 to 3,975.

Results for the 2023/24 academic year also show that an average of 75 per cent of those accessing the partnership’s Academic Support programme reported that they were working better in school.

IntoUniversity and the Universities of Edinburgh and Glasgow formed their partnership in 2021 in a shared move to bridge education attainment gaps by creating hubs for young people to use within their communities.

Through the collaboration, the universities provide funding support, campus visits, hands-on support with programmes, and student and staff volunteers for mentoring and buddying initiatives.

During the last academic year, 26 students from the University of Edinburgh and 41 from the University of Glasgow volunteered through IntoUniversity’s Mentoring Scheme, helping young mentees with academic skills and social and personal development.

In May, the University of Edinburgh held a mentoring celebration, welcoming IntoUniversity pupils, their families and their student mentors to take part in hands-on activities run by student societies.

Other visits through the partnership included a workshop delivered by the Edinburgh’s Widening Participation Medics Society for S1 pupils from Portobello High School. The group took part in practical activities and learned more about the journey to university experienced by students from widening participation backgrounds.

Elsewhere, academics and student volunteers from science and engineering backgrounds delivered workshops at IntoUniversity’s Craigmillar Centre.

Ria, a Computer Science and Maths student at the University of Edinburgh, shared her experiences mentoring an S1 student, Athena, with IntoUniversity: “I've really enjoyed the development of our mentoring relationship, especially as Athena has become more comfortable and confident. I would recommend mentoring to others - it is a wonderful opportunity to help someone else in their journey through education.”
Rachel Carr, Chief Executive Officer at IntoUniversity, said: “The work of IntoUniversity’s Craigmillar, Govan and Maryhill centres continues to achieve positive results in the local community, enabling young people to reach their full potential. Our crucial work together will continue to ensure that future generations are able to access the widest possible range of opportunities, without being held back by circumstances outside their control.”

Neil Croll, Head of Widening Participation at the University of Glasgow, added: “We are proud to be part of a partnership that is transforming the lives of young people. By working with IntoUniversity, we are helping to break down barriers to education, ensuring that every student has the opportunity to achieve their full potential, regardless of background. Our partnership is a vital step in making sure talented students within our local communities have the support they need to succeed, both academically and in life."

Laura Cattell, Head of Widening Participation at the University of Edinburgh, said: “IntoUniversity is an important collaboration for our University, supporting our aim to increase access to university and nurture talent in our local communities. These results reaffirm the partnership’s work to address poverty and inequality and take impactful steps to help our young people to succeed.”

First published: 15 April 2025

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