A DEVON university has been named ‘University of the Year’ at a national awards celebrating support for social mobility.

The University of Exeter triumphed at the Social Mobility Awards.

The institution was recognised for its work across multiple national and regional projects dedicated to championing equal opportunities and improving life outcomes for young people.

These include the ‘Success for All’ programme, which focuses on widening participation, closing gaps in student outcomes, and building a diverse and inclusive learning environment, and the work undertaken to embed social justice and inclusion at the heart of its strategy, and in its curriculum and teaching.

The award also recognises the University’s leadership of the South West Social Mobility Commission, new educational programmes to develop skills that improve employment opportunities, and engagement with policymakers through its Centre for Social Mobility.

Professor Lisa Roberts, President and Vice-Chancellor of the University of Exeter, said: ‘We are thrilled to have been named University of the Year at the UK Social Mobility Awards.

‘This achievement acknowledges the incredible work undertaken by colleagues across our University to make a real and lasting impact to people and communities, here in the South West and across the UK.

‘The award speaks to our Strategy 2030 commitment to deliver real change to people’s lives, through increasing education, skills, and genuine opportunities for all.

‘This includes our Success For All programme, which ensures that talent, not background, shapes a student’s future; and our work through initiatives such as the South West Social Mobility Commission and our Undergraduate Tutoring Programme.

‘We are so proud to be recognised with this award, and I would like to offer my heartfelt thanks to everybody involved, for their tireless work in tackling and improving social mobility’,

Since its inception in 2017, the Social Mobility Awards have recognised and celebrated forward-thinking organisations that are embedding social mobility initiatives into their core business strategy.