Research and Evaluation
RO has a robust evaluation framework in place to build an evidence base for the work of the Partnership. The framework is focused on gathering a mix of qualitative and quantitative information and evidence from students, teachers, parents, Higher Education Institutions, the national pupil database and UCAS.
The Institute for Employment Studies (IES) independently evaluates the RO programme.
“Monitoring and evaluation have been at the forefront of Realising Opportunities since the Partnership was established. Our external evaluators’ recent report provides evidence that we continue to target the most able, least likely students and raise aspirations towards and support progression to Higher Education, in particular to research intensive universities.”
– Suzanne Cholerton OBE
Chair of Realising Opportunities
Emerita Professor at Newcastle University
Our Story
Realising Opportunities (RO) was originally established in 2009 as a pilot by HEFCE to address the lack of access to highly selective, research intensive universities (RIUs) for students from disadvantaged backgrounds. Over the years, the programme has developed into a range of evidence-based interventions, working collaboratively with our Partners to share knowledge and expertise underpinned by a robust evaluation strategy to monitor success.
Since its inception, RO has aimed to increase the number of applicants and entrants to our RO Partner universities as well as RIUs and HE in general. Informed choice for students is at the heart of the collaboration and our commitment to support both the Partnership and the wider sector.
Despite RO’s demonstrable success in supporting those at risk of inequality of opportunity to access RIUs, the fact remains that disadvantaged young people are still much less likely to progress to the most ‘prestigious, high-tariff universities’ (UK Government, 2023). The Office for Students’ Equality of Risk Register (EORR) continues to highlight ‘perception of higher education’ as a key risk; some students, despite being qualified, still do not feel able to apply to higher education, and more specifically, to highly selective universities. There is undoubtedly still further work for us to do as a partnership.
Our Programme
Our Impact
There is clear evidence of RO’s positive impact.
Applications to university
89% of RO students applied to university at the end of Year 13, more than double the overall proportion of 18-year-olds applying to university that year (independent evaluation of RO, 2024).
Progression to RIUs
66% of RO students eligible for free school meals (FSM) progressed to RIUs to continue their studies(independent evaluation of RO, 2024). In the 2020-21 academic year 28.1% of English state school pupils eligible for FSM had started HE by age 19 but only 4.5% had progressed to ‘High Tariff Institutions’. This is much lower than the 12.4% progression rate to High Tariff Institutions by pupils not in this group. (UCAS, 2023)
Continuation at university
The continuation rate for full time, first degree RO entrants eligible for free school meals is 95.1% compared to 88.6% nationally (independent evaluation of RO, 2024).
Our future
We’re excited about our future.
Our upcoming Impact Report will highlight the important work we’re doing with and for students.
Collaborating as a Partnership, we want to work with the wider HE sector to share best practise and raise awareness of our goals and ambitions for students.
Want to know more? Get in touch here.
Evaluation reports
For the RO Partnership’s comprehensive evaluation and impact reports please click on the resources below.