LSE’s widening participation Pathways programmes are “genuinely life-changing” say participants

Participants who took part in LSE’s Pathways to Law programme have described it as “an incredible experience” and “genuinely life-changing".

LSE’s Widening Participation team currently deliver two Pathways to the Professions programmes in partnership with leading social mobility charity the Sutton Trust. The programmes are for state school pupils in years 12-13 within 90 minutes of LSE who want to study law or banking and finance.

On the programmes, students are provided with opportunities which they might otherwise have been unable to access, including bespoke work placements and employability events with top London firms. Other activities include subject-specific workshops, lectures, panel events, residential conferences alongside other universities, and CV support sessions.

Throughout the 18-month programmes, pupils are mentored by current LSE undergraduate students from their chosen subject area and benefit from being able to visit LSE, interact with staff and students and attend events on campus. Pathways to Law participants also get the chance to attend joint events with Queen Mary, University of London, who run a similar programme.

Ninety-five per cent of participants who took part in the programmes from 2023-25 rated them good or excellent.

After completing the Law programme, an impressive 97 per cent of participants reported a good understanding of what it’s like to study law at university - a fantastic 79-percentage point gain from their pre-programme knowledge. Furthermore, 93 per cent agreed they would fit in academically, and 84 per cent believed they would fit in socially, highlighting the programme’s impact not just on knowledge, but on self-belief and belonging.

The impact was just as powerful in the Pathways to Banking and Finance programme, where 89 per cent of participants gained a clear understanding of finance-related degrees, an increase of 60 percentage points compared to the start of the programme. An outstanding 98 per cent of participants had a clear understanding of what working in the financial sector is really like, allowing them to make informed decisions about their future careers.

Commenting on the success of the programmes, Sam Bailey, Head of Widening Participation at LSE said: “The amazing feedback from the young people on the Pathways programmes shows the power of universities working in partnership with charities like the Sutton Trust, with sector-leading employers across London and with our student mentors to unlock career routes that otherwise might not be on the table. We know that talent is found everywhere in society, but opportunity isn’t. Through programmes like Pathways to the Professions, we’re determined to change that.”

Katy Hampshire, Director of Programmes at the Sutton Trust said: “We are proud to be continuing our partnership with LSE on Pathways to Law and Pathways to Banking and Finance programmes. We have worked together to ensure that thousands more young people from lower socioeconomic backgrounds receive the support and guidance they need to enter these highly competitive courses and careers.

“LSE is one of the leading universities for young people aspiring to study law or subjects related to banking and finance, and the amazing feedback that we receive from participants is testament to their commitment to widen access and open up opportunities for young people.”

LSE has been one of the pioneers of the Pathways programmes. Launched by the Sutton Trust in 2006, the schemes work in collaboration with LSE and other universities to support pupils in years 12-13 from less-advantaged background to access leading universities and careers.

To find out more about the Pathways to Law programme, please visit: https://www.lse.ac.uk/study-at-lse/Undergraduate/widening-participation/Sixth-form-college/pathways-to-law-london-years-12-13

To find out more about the Pathways to Banking and Finance programme, please visit: https://www.lse.ac.uk/study-at-lse/Undergraduate/widening-participation/Sixth-form-college/pathways-to-banking-and-finance-london-years-12-13