Nearly 10,000 teenagers from some of the most disadvantaged parts of the country are set to receive personal letters from students at King’s College London

– with one simple message: university is for you too.

The letters, written by current undergraduates, share honest stories of how they overcame the same challenges many young people face today. They are designed to break down the idea that higher education is only for the privileged and to show that aspiration, not postcode, should decide the future.

The Department for Education has identified pupils in schools and colleges where very few go on to university. These young people will be targeted with the letters, which highlight how university – or an apprenticeship – can open the door to life-changing opportunities.

Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson said: 

“Talent, aspiration and hard work – not postcode or background – should decide a young person’s future. 

Universities need to do more to make sure they’re reaching the most talented people in our country wherever they come from – youngsters who need a bit of encouragement to see that a degree isn’t only for a privileged few. 

I’m proud that we’ve been able to support this brilliant initiative – which comes ahead of further steps from government to break the link between young people’s background and success through our Post-16 and Skills White Paper”.

Currently, disadvantaged pupils are more than a third less likely to attend university than their peers. The postcode divide is stark: in Redbridge, London, teenagers are almost three times more likely to go on to higher education than those in Knowsley, Merseyside.

The new initiative comes as part of the government’s wider Plan for Change, which includes major reforms to post-16 education. Alongside university opportunities, the Youth Guarantee ensures that every 18-21-year-old in England will have the chance to take up an apprenticeship, access training, continue their education or get help finding a job.

The government is also investing in:

- 6,500 new teachers

- Expanded careers advice

- Improved mental health support in schools

- A modern curriculum to prepare pupils for life and work

To help break down financial and social barriers, £265 million has been ringfenced this year to support students from disadvantaged backgrounds, including funding for the Uni Connect programme, which links universities with under-represented groups.

Some universities are already making changes. For example, the University of Bristol recently opened a “micro-campus” in Hartcliffe, one of the city’s most deprived areas, to bring higher education into the community.

But the Education Secretary is calling for more. She urged universities to step up and play a stronger role in tearing down barriers so that disadvantaged students can thrive.

For many letter writers, this campaign is deeply personal.

Kemi Adeyemi, a student at King’s College London, said:

“It’s so important that young people know that their background doesn’t determine where they can study. 

It should be based purely on you, your grades and your choice alone, which I feel isn’t a message reiterated enough to pupils in state schools. 

As a result of the letters I hope students feel empowered to apply for university and that they know they deserve to be there just like anyone else”.

Research shows that ability isn’t holding disadvantaged students back – it’s the lack of visible role models and encouragement. This campaign aims to change that, one letter at a time. Photo by KiloCharlieLima, Wikimedia commons.