Britain has widened access to university but graduate opportunity remains unequal, report warns

Britain has made significant progress in widening access to higher education, but a major new report warns that the next challenge for social mobility is what happens after graduation.

The report argues that while more students from under-represented backgrounds are reaching university than ever before, access to the opportunities that lead to successful careers remains deeply unequal. Graduate success is still shaped by access to professional networks, work experience, employer connections and confidence, advantages that are often unevenly distributed long before students apply for their first job.

The study, From Access to Graduate Success: The Next Phase of Social Mobility, published by the Graduate Futures Institute in partnership with the University of Leicester, suggests Britain risks overlooking a growing social mobility challenge: not who gets into university, but who is able to turn their education into career success.

Researchers found overwhelming agreement among higher education professionals that employment disadvantage remains a reality for many students from under-represented backgrounds. Ninety-seven per cent of respondents agreed that such disadvantage exists, while lower levels of professional networks and social capital was identified as the single biggest contributor to unequal graduate outcomes.

The findings suggest that, for many graduates, ‘who they know’ can matter as much as ‘what they know'.

The report found that lack of professional networks and social capital continues to be one of the biggest barriers to graduate success. While higher education remains one of the most powerful routes to opportunity, researchers argue that access to graduate careers is still shaped by unequal access to networks, work experience, confidence and career connections. 

The study also highlights concerns about a growing AI opportunity gap. As artificial intelligence becomes increasingly important in the workplace, almost seven in 10 respondents believe some under-represented groups risk being left behind in access to AI skills, tools and support. 

The report concludes that the next phase of social mobility must focus not only on who gets into university, but equity of access to the opportunities that follow.

The findings align closely to recent major sector and policy developments. Last week, Universities UK released the Future Jobs Roadmap and the UK government announced the establishment of a new Class Unit within their Office for Equality and Opportunity. This report makes a key contribution to this collaborative effort towards shaping a fairer future labour market.

Professor Sir Nishan Canagarajah, President and Vice-Chancellor of the University of Leicester, said: “For many years we have rightly focused on improving access to higher education, opening the doors of universities to people from every background. The HE sector has made good progress in this regard but access to university is only part of the story.

“The next challenge is ensuring that every student has a fair chance to succeed once they graduate.

“Talent, ambition and potential are found in every community. Yet access to professional networks, workplace opportunities and career connections remains uneven.

“If Britain is serious about social mobility, economic growth and making the most of its talent, we need to ensure that opportunity after graduation does not depend on who you know, where you grew up or whether you can afford to take advantage of opportunities others take for granted.”

Martin Edmondson, CEO of Graduate Futures Institute, said: “Graduate success should be determined by capability, not background. Our findings show that the biggest barriers facing many graduates sit outside their academic course. They are about networks, connections, confidence and access to experience.

“If success after university depends too heavily on who you know rather than what you know, then everyone loses. At a time when the country is focused on economic growth, productivity and opportunity, we cannot afford to waste talent.

“Graduates have huge potential to contribute to regional and national economies. Social mobility is not simply about helping people access higher education, it is about ensuring that every graduate has a fair opportunity to succeed afterwards.”

The report’s findings have been welcomed by Vivienne Stern, Chief Executive of Universities UK, who said: “It highlights the specific interventions that are necessary in order to redress the current imbalance in graduate employment opportunities.  

“Work-readiness is where the biggest opportunity lies and this new report underlines this fact and identifies innovative programmes in universities, like Leicester, to ensure all graduates are empowered to be employment ready.”

Key findings

• 97% of respondents agreed that students from under-represented backgrounds face employment disadvantage compared with their peers.

• Lack of professional networks and social capital was identified as the most significant factor contributing to employment disadvantage.

• 96% said access to work-related learning is essential or very important in reducing employment disadvantage.

• Financial pressures are reducing some of the forms of support considered most effective, including paid work experience and personalised careers guidance.

• 69% believe some under-represented groups are at greater risk of being left behind by the rise of AI.