Southampton Uni to join Sutton Trust UK summer schools from 2026
Independent analysis by the Sutton Trust shows participants are 60% more likely to enter higher education and 46% more likely to attend a research-intensive university
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The University of Southampton will join the Sutton Trust’s UK Summer Schools consortium from 2026, expanding the programme’s reach across the South and South West of England.
The move will add a new Russell Group institution to the scheme, which provides free, residential academic experiences at highly selective universities for high-attaining students from lower socio-economic backgrounds.
The UK Summer Schools programme offers participants first-hand exposure to undergraduate study through lectures, tutorials and project work, alongside support on university admissions and transition. The scheme aims to build confidence, develop academic skills and improve progression to higher education.
Now in its 29th year, the programme supports more than 2,300 students each year. Independent analysis by the Sutton Trust shows participants are 60% more likely to enter higher education and 46% more likely to attend a research-intensive university than unsuccessful applicants.
Southampton’s inclusion is expected to strengthen provision in coastal and southern regions, where access to selective higher education has historically been uneven. According to the Sutton Trust’s Opportunity Index, Southampton Itchen ranks 431st out of 543 constituencies for opportunity, reflecting broader structural barriers linked to geography, transport and school provision.
The university said its participation would help ensure that opportunity is not determined by postcode and that more students in the region can access subject-specific residential experiences.
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.”
Gino Graziano, executive director of student life at the University of Southampton, added: “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.”
