LSE top ten in social mobility list
LSE has been ranked 10th in the 2025 English Social Mobility Index – one of only two Russell Group Universities to appear in the top ten.
Published annually by the Higher Education Policy Institute (HEPI), the index measures the social mobility of graduates and compares the performance of English universities and higher education providers.
The index recognises the importance not only of access to higher education, but also of success during study and progression to positive graduate outcomes. This emphasis on 'getting on, not just getting in' reflects LSE’s focus on supporting students throughout their time at the School and beyond.
LSE delivers a broad range of widening participation initiatives designed to support students at every stage of their educational journey. These include pre-entry programmes such as LSE Springboard for students outside London and the South East and Pathways to Law, delivered in partnership with the Sutton Trust, which has supported aspiring law students for over 20 years. In 2025 the School also launched the LSE Navigate network bringing together Widening Participation, LSE Careers, Student Communities in the Student Learning and Personal Development Division and the LSE Students' Union to provide support for students from underrepresented backgrounds who join LSE with a contextual offer.
Alongside these initiatives, LSE continues to strengthen targeted support for students, including care‑experienced and estranged students, through dedicated bursaries, a named point of contact, and tailored pre-entry and on-course support.
Professor Emma McCoy, Vice President and Pro-Vice Chancellor (Education) at LSE, commented: “We are incredibly proud to be ranked in the top 10 of the English Social Mobility Index. A core part of LSE’s mission, and the power of social science, is to understand and address inequality. We remain committed to the work already underway, and to doing more to widen access, strengthen support, and ensure that every student who comes to LSE can truly thrive.”
Sam Bailey, Head of Widening Participation at LSE, added: “We’re committed to welcoming and supporting the widest range of talented students from all backgrounds to join and thrive in our LSE student community – as demonstrated by our top ten position in the English Social Mobility Index for the fourth year running. We believe that potential is found everywhere, but opportunity is not – and we’re determined to play our part in changing that.
“From our widening participation work that inspires and informs future university students, a comprehensive package of financial support, and applying a holistic admissions approach that considers educational context, we are focused on removing barriers and ensuring that talented students can access a world class education at LSE. But getting into university alone isn’t enough to guarantee success, so we’re joining up teams across the School through our new LSE Navigate network to provide support and opportunities tailored to students’ needs right through to graduation and beyond.”