The University of Sussex has joined an award-winning national initiative to help under-represented students get into top universities. 

Sussex is one of three research-intensive universities that yesterday (Thursday 1 August) joined the Realising Opportunities (RO) partnership. 

RO was set up in 2009 as a collaborative partnership between 12 research-intensive universities, led by Newcastle, working together to promote fair access to higher education and encourage social mobility. 

It was named the Times Higher Education Widening Participation Initiative of the Year in 2011. 

The expansion to include Sussex, Sheffield and Goldsmiths, University of London, increases the membership of the partnership to 15. 

David Willetts MP, Minister for Universities and Science, said: “The expansion of Realising Opportunities is good news, and will help even more young people from less advantaged backgrounds benefit from the transformational experience of higher education. 

“It is important that young people, regardless of their backgrounds, are inspired to be ambitious as they consider studying at university. Programmes like this raise aspirations and attainment, which is why we encourage universities to invest in this type of outreach.” 

Sussex will contribute £42,000 a year to support delivery of the programme, which provides summer schools, academic tutors, online study-skills classes and e-mentoring by undergraduates to encourage teenagers classed among the “most able, least likely” to apply to top universities.

As part of the scheme, year 12 and 13 students can access events, activities and support specifically designed to increase their likelihood of applying to and succeeding at a research-intensive university.  

The programme has a strong academic component and is recognised by most participating universities as counting towards UCAS points. 

Professor Ella Ritchie, Deputy Vice-Chancellor at Newcastle University, and chair of the Realising Opportunities Partnership, added: “The group of universities involved in Realising Opportunities is committed to raising aspirations and getting more young people to think about applying to research-intensive universities. 

“It is great news that three new universities are joining the scheme, as it will enable us to reach even more young people who may not have thought about applying to university.” 

Joining RO forms part of Sussex’s £8.1 million-a-year widening participation plan. 

Sarah Cullen, Sussex’s Head of Widening Participation, said: “I am very pleased we have entered this partnership I have been very impressed by their work so far. 

“Membership of RO will help us to build on the good work that is already being done at Sussex to widen participation.”

Back to news list