Raising aspirations, together
How the University of Edinburgh and IntoUniversity are opening doors to higher education for young people and their families in Edinburgh.
In a quiet classroom, 11-year-old Hanna is learning long multiplication. “They’ve helped me with grammar too,” she says. “That makes me feel happy.” Around her, other students are revising, completing homework, or simply chatting with mentors about their ambitions.
These are the everyday scenes at IntoUniversity learning centres that represent a bold and inspiring partnership between the University of Edinburgh, the University of Glasgow, and the UK-wide education charity IntoUniversity.
Launched in 2021, this partnership set out to do something transformative: offer sustained, long-term academic and pastoral support to children and young people in some of Scotland’s most disadvantaged communities. It’s working.
Over the past academic year, nearly 4,000 young people across the three Scottish centres – Craigmillar in Edinburgh, and Govan and Maryhill in Glasgow – have received tailored support designed to build confidence, raise attainment, and open pathways to Higher Education. Since the programme began, nearly 6,000 students in total have benefited.
“This new partnership is an important milestone in our ambition to remove barriers to people accessing Higher Education,” says Professor Peter Mathieson, Principal and Vice-Chancellor of the University of Edinburgh. “By building on IntoUniversity’s proven model, we can inspire many more young people in Scotland to take the life-changing step to apply to college or university.”
A shared vision of possibility
Hanna
The need is pressing. In Craigmillar, nearly a third of children live in poverty, with only 19% of local young people going on to Higher Education – far below the city average. And yet the aspirations are there. “Research consistently shows that young people from disadvantaged backgrounds have high hopes,” says Sophie Houghton, Head of Programme Delivery and Operations (Scotland, North of England and East Midlands). “What they often lack is the knowledge, resources and support systems to turn those aspirations into reality.”
That’s where the centres come in. They are warm, calm spaces where children aged 7–18 can attend after-school academic support, workshops on university life, mentoring sessions with current university students, and activities that build confidence and self-belief.
“Coming to IntoUniversity has made me a bit more confident,” Hanna shares. “It’s easier to do your homework here because I can ask people for help.”
Another young student, Fahdi, who speaks Somali at home, describes a turning point: “Before coming here, I used to get low marks in school, especially in English. But with help from staff during Academic Support, I achieved a Grade 7 – that’s an A – in my last English assessment. I want to become a midwife one day. IntoUniversity has helped me believe that’s possible.”
Designed to deliver impact
What sets IntoUniversity apart is its long-term, embedded approach. Students engage from Primary 3 through to Secondary 6, allowing staff to offer sustained academic and emotional support over years. “Our centres are not just about raising grades,” says Sophie. “They’re about embedding aspiration in a child’s world from an early age – and then walking with them through the journey to adulthood.”
Evidence supports this. At Craigmillar, 76% of students report improved academic performance, and 65% go on to Higher Education – compared to just 24% of young people from similarly deprived areas nationally. And for many, it’s not just about university; it’s about believing that the future holds options.
“IntoUniversity has become part of the wider community and a safe space for the students,” says a Careers and Enterprise Coordinator at one of the University’s partner schools. “Some of our students thought they had already blown their chances. But here, they’ve learned that it’s not too late to turn things around.”
Volunteering with purpose
University students are central to the mentoring programme, which pairs local pupils with student role models. Ria, a Computer Science and Maths student, has mentored for over a year. “It’s been amazing to see my mentee gain confidence,” she says. “It’s taught me a lot about communication too – explaining technical concepts in a way that’s accessible. But mostly, it’s just been rewarding. I feel more connected to the community I study in.”
These relationships work both ways. Mentees report increased motivation and a better understanding of university pathways. “I like coming to IntoUniversity because the people here really support and inspire me,” says 10-year-old Athena. “My mentor helped me explore being a fashion designer. We decorated tote bags and made a poster about my future. I feel like I understand what I want now.”
Creating a culture of aspiration
The programme offers more than just academic support. Students attend university visits, themed curriculum weeks (like Archaeology or Chemistry), holiday enrichment trips, and employability workshops run in partnership with corporate volunteers and university departments.
One parent describes the difference it has made for her son, who is neurodivergent: “Coming to IntoUniversity has boosted his self-confidence so much. The team here just ‘gets’ him. The feedback is always personal, and it’s clear they know his strengths and challenges. It’s a nurturing environment that’s helped him flourish.”
And the reach is growing. Since the partnership began, more than 40 IntoUniversity students from across the UK have gone on to study at the University of Edinburgh. That number is expected to increase significantly as the centres become further embedded in local communities.
Looking to the future
Rasheema
The University and its partners have ambitious plans. Fundraising is now underway to sustain and expand the centres through to 2030, with a particular focus on the new Adult and Family Learning pilot programme.
The pilot programme launched in October 2024 working with over 200 parents and carers in the 2024 – 2025 academic year. As it enters its second year, IntoUniversity will continue working with whole families engaging them in future focused sessions including visiting the University of Edinburgh and the University of Glasgow.
“We know that parental engagement is key,” Sophie Houghton explains. “This new initiative will help us work with parents and carers, equipping them to support their children – and, in some cases, to pursue their own educational goals.”
As Professor Mathieson reflects, “This isn’t just about access to university. It’s about access to opportunity – to a sense of possibility. That’s something we believe every child deserves.”
Back in the classroom, Rasheema is just seven years old, but she already has a plan: “I want to be a doctor for children, because I like helping people.” With the right support in the right place, that dream is within reach.
Header image of pupil at Craigmillar Centre by Sam Sills. All other images courtesy of IntoUniversity.
Supporting IntoUniversity
If you would like to support the University’s work with IntoUniveristy, you can make a donation today:
Donate to IntoUniversity Scotland Programme
You can also find more information on supporting the programme here:
or contact Neil Burns, Senior Philanthropy Officer:
