Building university access programmes globally

AccessEd equips a global network of partners to deliver university access programmes for underserved young people.

Our approach
Our Programmes

International university access programmes

Capacity building NGO and entrepreneurial partners in their local communities by sharing our university access ‘programme blueprint’: working with postgraduate university students as engaging, inspiring tutors for under-served young people.

Identify high-potential partners (individuals, organisations and university hubs)
Run an incubator programme: design a programme, adapting our blueprint to fit country needs
Deliver and evaluate the programme for under-served young people
Learn more
200,000,000+
Trees planted by since 2006
50,000+
Volunteers worldwide
Our Programmes

International Academic Seminar Programme

The Academic Seminar Programme (ASP) prepares Year 9 to 13 students at international schools for academic success at the world’s top universities.

PhD tutor-mentors from top universities (Trinity College; Oxford; Columbia etc.)
Engaging critical thinking, communication, writing and study skills
Tutorials replicate teaching at high ranked universities
Learn more
200,000,000+
Trees planted by since 2006
50,000+
Volunteers worldwide
Our Programmes

Postgraduate Training Programme

We train postgraduate researchers in social impact, professional development and leadership, supporting retention and student success.

Four curriculum strands with a suite of courses
Delivered to universities and scholarship commissions internationally
Specialise in supporting international students, who join our global network
Learn more
200,000,000+
Trees planted by since 2006
50,000+
Volunteers worldwide
Our Programmes

Curriculum Programmes

Working with UK universities and schools to produce curriculum linked resources for under-served young people. Resources and IAG sessions are co-authored by postgraduate researchers.

Our ‘Research-Based Curricula’ coursebooks
Library of 90+ free subject resources
Innovation programmes with universities and schools
Learn more
200,000,000+
Trees planted by since 2006
50,000+
Volunteers worldwide
Our vision

What we believe

We believe in a world where all under-represented young people have equal access to university, supported by their local communities.

Whilst university may not be the choice for all, it should be accessible for everyone

Evidence shows that university improves individual, social and economic life outcomes

A young person’s background are still statistically significant as to whether or not they will access university

Disadvantaged young people lack the academic attainment, opportunities, inspiration, awareness and confidence to pursue university

To make university access projects meaningful and sustainable, we know that they need to be rooted in their local communities

Our vision

Our Approach

We have a 4-step approach to building a global network of university access programmes through an incubator model with local partners.

Grow a thriving international researcher PhD community

Recruit promising education entrepreneurs to AccessEd’s Incubator programme

Connect education entrepreneurs, universities and PhDs: a 3 way collaboration

Seed and develop university access programmes, sharing blueprints and support with the new partner

What we know...

The Problem

1%
of the poorest 25-29 year olds (only) have completed at least four years of higher education
32%
of 71 low income countries (only) have defined specific participation targets for any equity group: we need to do more
10%
of low-income students (only) access university globally

Who we work with

Collaboration in Communities

Universities

We partner with universities to deliver initiatives in their communities, training and recruiting postgraduates to our programmes. Universities play a key role in producing the economic opportunities, and the intellectual and human capital needed to solve the challenges of sustainable development.

Postgraduate researchers

We train postgraduates in social impact, recruiting them to work on our university access programmes. Postgraduates are uniquely placed to develop the skills, confidence and subject expertise that young people need to access university.

Entrepreneurs and NGOs

We partner with local NGOs or entrepreneurial individuals (education entrepreneurs) to deliver university access programmes. Rooted in their local education system, they adapt our pre-existing programme blueprints to ensure under-represented student needs are met.

Join us and help make a difference

Whether a donor, volunteer or potential programme partner, your involvement will help us support disadvantaged students globally to access higher education. Interested in helping scale our incubator model internationally? Be sure to read more about our partnerships.

Globally, 10% of low-income students access university compared to 77% of higher income students

UNESCO-IESALC, 2020