Keele University praised for social mobility

Keele University has been named 'University of the Year' in the prestigious Student Social Mobility Awards 2026.

The accolade recognises Keele's sector-leading work to widen access to higher education and improve outcomes for students from disadvantaged backgrounds.

Judges highlighted Keele's "whole institution" approach to social mobility, with praise for Higher Horizons, an award-winning network based at Keele that has supported more than 65,000 young people across Staffordshire, Shropshire and Cheshire and helped thousands from under represented backgrounds access higher education.