Higher education progression more than twice national average at Scottish learning centres
School leavers supported by three community learning centres progressed to higher education at more than twice the rate recorded among young people from Scotland’s most deprived areas.
Across the first four years of a partnership between IntoUniversity and the Universities of Edinburgh and Glasgow, 70% of school leavers from the centres went on to higher education, compared with a national average of 27.9% for school leavers from Scotland’s most deprived areas.
October 2026 marks the partnership’s fifth anniversary. Since opening in 2021, more than 8,000 young people supported through its centres in Craigmillar in Edinburgh, and Govan and Maryhill in Glasgow.
Students, families, staff, volunteers and community partners gathered at IntoUniversity Govan on Tuesday 6 October to celebrate the important milestone.
A second celebration will take place at IntoUniversity Craigmillar on Tuesday 27 October.
Transformative impact
The partnership’s work supports Scottish Government priorities to tackle the poverty-related attainment gap, widen access to higher education and help young people fulfil their potential.
Supported by philanthropic funders and partners – alongside families, schools, volunteers and local communities – it combines IntoUniversity’s long-term educational support and community relationships with the expertise, resources, students and staff of both universities.
Young people receive academic support, mentoring and careers guidance, alongside university visits, work experience and opportunities to explore their options after school.
Since 2021, more than 3,000 students have visited the two universities and more than 300 university volunteers have supported IntoUniversity programmes.
Of the young people who attended the programmes, 62% said they were more likely to attend university as a result.
The partnership has also enabled IntoUniversity to pilot an Adult and Family Learning programme across its three Scottish centres.
School pupil celebrate at IntoUniversity Govan's 5 year anniversary event.
The pilot has helped parents and carers build confidence in supporting their children’s education and explore learning opportunities for themselves.
Academic support
Among the young people supported by the programme is Cindy, who joined IntoUniversity Govan shortly after moving to Scotland from Italy.
With English not her first language, she initially needed help to navigate the Scottish education system, complete her schoolwork and build friendships.
Over four years, she received more than 350 hours of support through academic sessions, mentoring, careers workshops and work experience. She went on to excel in her exams and is now studying Medicine at the University of Glasgow.
In Edinburgh, Unaiza joined the Craigmillar centre in S3 in 2021.
Alongside support with exams and university applications, she explored careers in finance, law and interior design, gained work experience, and received mentoring support from a University of Edinburgh student.
She received offers from all five of her chosen universities and is now studying Economics at the University of Edinburgh.
IntoUniversity was the first place I came to, even before starting school. I didn’t know anyone, and I couldn’t communicate with people. The staff were so patient – they helped me every step of the way, from learning the language to applying for schools.
We had a neurosurgeon visit the centre, and hearing them speak made something change within me. I knew after that that surgery was the space I wanted to be in.
Cindy
Former IntoUniversity Govan student
IntoUniversity has provided me with a quiet and friendly place to focus on my studies and make new friends. It’s really helped me improve my studying, especially because having a tutor can be expensive, and at IntoUniversity there are lots of people who can help you with any subject.
Unaiza
Former IntoUniversity Craigmillar student
Over the past five years, this partnership has shown what’s possible when organisations come together with a shared commitment to young people and their communities. By combining the expertise, relationships and resources of IntoUniversity and the Universities of Glasgow and Edinburgh, we’ve helped thousands of young people build confidence, explore their potential and shape their futures.
We’re incredibly proud of what we’ve achieved together, and grateful to the families who have trusted us and the donors and funders who have made this work possible. We look forward to continuing this partnership and supporting even more young people across Scotland.
Dr Rachel Carr
CEO and Co-Founder of IntoUniversity
We are very proud to be part of this ground-breaking collaboration, which boosts academic attainment levels and encourages pupils to think big and back themselves wherever that may take them. We’re delighted to see successive cohorts do well through school and go on to positive destinations, including further and higher education courses across the whole of Scotland.
Through this partnership, our Craigmillar, Govan and Maryhill centres continue to make a meaningful difference to children in our local communities, helping to create life-changing opportunities and tackle deep-rooted educational inequality.
Chris Cox
Vice Principal (Philanthropy & Advancement) at the University of Edinburgh
Talent and ambition are everywhere, but opportunity is not. This partnership is about changing that. Together with IntoUniversity and the University of Edinburgh, we are helping young people to broaden their horizons through raising aspirations and attainment levels.
Five years on, we are proud to celebrate this milestone with our partners and the communities that have made it possible. We look forward to the future of this successful partnership as we continue to reach more young people and their families, with the aim of ensuring that background is never a barrier to achieving your potential.
Professor Rachel Sandison
Deputy Vice Chancellor (External Engagement) at the University of Glasgow
