Keele named University of the Year at national social mobility awards

Keele University has been named University of the Year at the prestigious Student Social Mobility Awards 2026, recognising its sector-leading work to widen access to higher education and improve outcomes for students from disadvantaged backgrounds. 

Judges highlighted Keele's "whole institution" approach to social mobility, with praise for Higher Horizons, an award-winning network based at Keele that has supported more than 65,000 young people across Staffordshire, Shropshire and Cheshire and helped thousands from underrepresented backgrounds access higher education.

Keele's social mobility initiatives include: 

• More than 65,000 young people supported and encouraged through Higher Horizons, a Government-funded programme based at Keele that delivers free and impartial higher education outreach to schools and colleges across Staffordshire, Shropshire and Cheshire;  

• 47% of learners who worked with Higher Horizons applied to university, making them twice as likely to apply to higher education than their demographic peers;  

• Placement opportunities available across all undergraduate degrees, helping students gain valuable industry experience, professional networks and career opportunities;  

• £1.93 million distributed to 1,717 students through the University's Access and Success Fund during 2024-25. By January 2026, a further £1.74 million had already been awarded to 1,534 students;  

• 39 projects delivered through Keele's Office for Students-approved Access and Participation Plan, supporting students to access, succeed in, and progress from higher education. 

Kulvinder Birring, Director of Student Futures at Keele, said: "We are thrilled to be named University of the Year at the Student Social Mobility Awards 2026. Keele was created to be different, with a mission to make a difference in society by providing innovative, high-quality education for students from all backgrounds.

"From outreach work in schools and colleges through Higher Horizons to financial support, placements and employability initiatives, we are committed to helping students realise their ambitions and progress into rewarding careers.

"This award reflects the outstanding work of the Student Futures team and the collective efforts of colleagues across the University. It also recognises the invaluable contribution of our partners in schools, colleges, industry and the wider community. Their shared commitment to supporting student success has been fundamental to this achievement."

Ant Sutcliffe, Associate Director at Higher Horizons, said: "We are thrilled that Keele, our wonderful lead institution and host university, has won such a prestigious award. Higher Horizons work with more than 12,000 working‑class young people each year, many of whom are welcomed onto the Keele campus with open arms.

"Normalising the university environment for our young people is incredibly important, and we are always grateful to Keele for supporting our programme so passionately.

"On a personal note, I came to Keele as a young working‑class man from Stoke-on-Trent, eager to buy into Lord Lindsay's dream in completing an undergraduate degree. It remains the privilege of my life to still be here, 21 years later, leading a team of fantastic practitioners who get up every day and deliver social change."

The Student Social Mobility Awards recognise universities and employers leading efforts to improve social mobility across the UK. Keele was shortlisted alongside the University of Warwick and Manchester Metropolitan University before being named the 2026 winner.

Lidia Barbuti, Head of Marketing and Communications at social mobility charity upReach, which organises the award, said: "This award recognises university initiatives supporting students from lower socio-economic backgrounds with graduate employment, progression into professional jobs, and postgraduate study.

"Keele's whole institution approach to social mobility was especially evident to our judges through the work of the Higher Horizons network, a key initiative aimed at boosting university access for underrepresented groups across the most deprived areas of Staffordshire, Cheshire, and Shropshire.

"Congratulations to Keele University for being our University of the Year 2026."