UK Schemes Support Oxbridge Black Students

A new initiative aimed at helping Black students from disadvantaged backgrounds gain entry to Oxbridge is now being expanded to include nursery schools in the UK. The project, launched in 2019 by the charity Widening Participation UK (WPUK), has been running for two years and seeks to support families with children between five and 11 who are likely to face socio-economic barriers when applying for university.

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The scheme is particularly targeted towards Black pupils because statistics show that they are disproportionately under-represented at Oxford and Cambridge – only 4% of undergraduate students in 2020 were from black backgrounds. WPUK hopes that by introducing this programme into nurseries, they will be able to provide more resources, advice and mentorship early on to ensure that children have access to the same opportunities as their peers from more affluent backgrounds.

The project includes a combination of online and physical activities that aim to help children become familiar with university life, gain knowledge about the application process for Oxbridge and receive one-on-one mentorship and guidance on what they can do to increase their chances of acceptance into these prestigious universities. Through this scheme, WPUK hopes to reduce the gap in opportunity between Black pupils from low-income families and those who come from more privileged backgrounds.

WPUK’s nursery school programme is just one part of their wider efforts to improve access for students from less advantaged backgrounds across Britain – since 2019, they have launched multiple initiatives such as providing advice and resources on university applications, as well as offering financial support to help with the cost of tuition fees.

The head of WPUK, Dr Samantha Smith, said “We are delighted to be able to expand our programme into nurseries across the UK and provide more opportunities for Black students from low-income backgrounds. We believe everyone should have an equal chance of success at university, and by providing access to resources and guidance early on in life, we can make a real difference.”

It is hoped that this project will reduce educational inequality across Britain and ensure that all children have access to the same opportunities regardless of their background. Leading universities and education campaigners alike have widely praised WPUK’s mission, and the scheme is seen as a positive step towards ensuring no child is left behind.

What do you think of the projects?