University of Wolverhampton third-best for graduate social mobility

The University of Wolverhampton has made third place in a league table for graduate social mobility.

The analysis takes into account how many socio-economically disadvantaged graduates an institution takes in, as well as their outcomes afterwards.

London South Bank University (LSBU) compiles the annual English Social Mobility Index using data on access, continuation and outcomes for undergraduates.

The index combines data on the proportion of a university’s intake that are from the two most deprived groups, whether they continue their studies or not, how they progress once graduating and, median salaries of graduates.

Salaries are weighted to account for differences across the country.

Professor Antony Moss, pro vice-chancellor for education and student experience at LSBU, said: "Despite the progress made in widening access to higher education over the last 15 years, long-standing inequalities both in access and outcomes persist for many disadvantaged learners.

“Institutions need to do more, both individually and collectively, to close the access and outcome gaps for these learners.

"I hope that LSBU’s Social Mobility Index continues to provide a helpful tool for universities to understand the efficacy of their approaches to supporting disadvantaged students.”

The top 10 universities in the Social Mobility Index 2025:

1. The University of Bradford

2. Aston University

3. The University of Wolverhampton

4. Birmingham Newman University

5. The University of Salford

6. The University of Greater Manchester

7. Birmingham City University

8. Imperial College London

9. The University of Huddersfield

10. London School of Economics and Political Science