We’re delighted to announce that we’re expanding our Pathways programmes in Liverpool. 

Since 2016, we’ve had a highly successful partnership with the University of Liverpool to run our Pathways to Law programme. Now, we’re excited that we will be able to grow this collaboration and bring two of the Trust’s successful Pathways programmes to the region: Pathways to Engineering, and Pathways to Banking and Finance. 

Like all our Pathways programmes, Banking and Finance and Engineering support high-attaining students from lower-income backgrounds to access leading careers. Over two years students gain access to industry insight placements, experience undergraduate learning through lectures and workshops and network with professionals, all to provide academic and sector specific support for careers in engineering and finance.  

And we’ve found that this formula produces results: young people who have taken part in a Pathways programme are more than three and a half times more likely to receive an offer from a top university than their classmates with similar grades and from similar backgrounds.

 

By supporting an additional seventy students each year in the Liverpool area, this expansion is an important positive step in the regional growth of our Pathways across England and Wales. As James Turner, our chief executive, said: “Our Pathways programmes are a fantastic opportunity for young people to gain insights into competitive careers and to get a first foot on the ladder to university and the professions We are thrilled that students from Liverpool will now be able to access these opportunities which we know can make a real difference to their futures.” 

Similarly, Professor Gavin Brown, Pro-Vice-Chancellor for Education at the University of Liverpool, said: “Building on our successful partnership with Sutton Trust in promoting access to legal career pathways, the University of Liverpool is delighted to expand this important work into new Pathways programmes for finance and engineering.  

As a research-intensive university with a strong track-record of improving the social mobility of our students, we recognise the importance of widening access to university for all those with the potential to succeed.  

By bringing together employers, academics and current students, we will support participants to go on to fulfilling careers including in advanced engineering, banking and finance/financial technology.” 

We are very grateful for the support of our founding corporate partner Deutsche Bank, which has allowed us to expand Banking & Finance to Liverpool alongside our other funding partners and supporters. Tiina Lee, Deutsche Bank CEO, UK & Ireland said: 

“Deutsche Bank has long advocated for widening access to our industry, and as the Pathways to Banking and Finance founding corporate partner we’re proud to see this exciting expansion. It’s fantastic that high-achieving young people from disadvantaged backgrounds in Liverpool, Merseyside and the West Midlands will now have the opportunity to apply to future cohorts. 

It’s crucial that the financial sector continues to recognise the importance of diverse incoming talent – regardless of socio-economic background. It’s critical to raise aspirations, dispel myths of banking and finance and ensure bright young people have the knowledge to make informed decisions about their own futures. We look forward to continuing our support of this transformative programme.” 

Applications are currently open for Pathways to Banking and Finance, Pathways to Engineering, and all our other Pathways programmes. They are open to all Year 12 students who attend – and have always attended – a state school or college in the UK, and to pupils who live within a commutable distance to the university they are applying to. Find out more and apply now.