Denise Coates Foundation supports over 2,000 students into uni

Over the past decade, the Denise Coates Foundation has contributed £5.3 million to support more than 2,680 students from lower-income backgrounds in accessing higher education.

The foundation has collaborated with universities across the West Midlands and Yorkshire, including Keele University, University of Staffordshire, and University of Sheffield, to help tackle financial barriers faced by students.

The foundation's bursary programme aims to address the access divide highlighted by Department for Education statistics, which show that only 28.6% of young people eligible for free school meals at age 15 entered higher education by age 19, compared to 48.4% of those who were not eligible.

Despite differing backgrounds, the programme seeks to provide financial assistance to students to enable them to focus on their studies.

Denise Coates CBE, Founder and Trustee of the Denise Coates Foundation, stated: “Everyone should have the opportunity to fulfil their potential, regardless of their background or financial circumstances.

"Over the past decade, we’ve been proud to support students through our bursary programme, helping talented young people access university and make the most of the opportunities higher education can provide. We are grateful to our university partners for everything they have achieved over the past decade, and we are pleased that together we’ve been able to support so many students."

UPP Foundations figures found that 36% of parents cited tuition fees among their biggest concerns about their children attending university, while 35% cited the level of debt on graduation and 31% cited living costs.

The Denise Coates Foundations says it remains committed to supporting students who face financial challenges in accessing higher education.

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