University tops social mobility index for fourth year

The University of Bradford has topped the English Social Mobility Index (SMI) for the fourth year in a row.

The SMI rates how well higher education institutions do to improve their students' life chances.

Bradford, which was placed above Aston University in second and the University of Wolverhampton in third, has claimed top spot in the rankings since its inception in 2021.

Vice-chancellor Prof Shirley Congdon said: "We have for many years put great emphasis on making the University of Bradford the place to be to make a difference.

"This is a core part of who we are and informs everything we do," she added.

"We are committed to transforming the lives of our students by removing barriers and reducing attainment gaps.

"This in turn elevates their families and whole communities, enabling regional business to thrive, and boosting the economy."

The SMI ranks English universities registered with the Office for Students (excluding specialist institutions) by their contribution to social mobility, based on the social distance travelled by their graduates.

It combines measures of access, continuation and graduate outcomes for undergraduate students.

All modes of study are included, although apprenticeship students are necessarily excluded due to a shortage of comparable data.

According to the University of Bradford 65% of its students are from the most socio-economically deprived backgrounds, 79% are from the region and 92% are in employment or further study within 15 months of graduating.

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