Realising Opportunities
What has Realising Opportunities achieved?
Since 2009, Realising Opportunities has worked with over 16,400 students from underrepresented backgrounds, supporting them to make informed decisions about higher education.
Over 80% of our tracked students have progressed into higher education, compared to a national average of 28% in the same period. Of those, 51% have progressed to a high tariff institution including Realising Opportunities Partner universities.
For Realising Opportunities students on Free School Meals (FSM), 30% progressed to a high tariff institution, this compares strongly to the average of 3.4% for national progression of FSM pupils to high tariff institutions over the same period.
When looking at outcomes, 83% of tracked students achieved either a 2.1 or a 1st class degree, and 80% of Realising Opportunities students on FSM went on to achieve a 2.1 or a 1st, significantly more than the national average of 69%, based on a four year average from 2018/9-2023/4.
"It has encouraged me to apply for a research-intensive university. I would not have done so if it wasn't for this programme."
Realising Opportunities participant
Programme content
The programme involved a range of events and activities across the partnership including:
Launch event
The programme started with a launch event, introducing students to the programme and providing an insight into what they can expect. It's also a great opportunity to find out more about their host university and meet staff and students.
Realising Opportunities Partnerships Fair
Staff from all participating universities attended the online conference enabling students to find out more about all partners, and the opportunities available to them. Students used the fair to make informed decisions on courses and universities and plan their next steps into higher education.
Skills4uni online study skills module
This study skills module prepares students for the academic element of the programme, as well as supporting their study and transition from school or college to university.
Academic skills module
This element of the programme consisted of an academic activity day where students learnt vital higher education skills such as analysis, research, critical thinking, referencing and evaluation.
Our Academic Skills Module usually took place at the University of York, giving students an opportunities visit our campus, experience a taste of university teaching and meet other students on the programme.
This activity day was followed by an online module which aims to increase students' ability to self reflect.
Access to events and a network of support
Our Realising Opportunities students had access to events, information and sessions which are run by the partners universities and the Realising Opportunities Central Team, enabling a network of support from across the partnership.
To enjoy all the benefits of Realising Opportunities, students must have completed the Realising Opportunities programme. The programme consists of three mandatory elements:
- Attend a minimum of two Realising Opportunities events/activities at partner universities, this can include the launch event and the partnership fair
- Complete Skills4Uni (an online study support module)
- Complete the Academic Skills Module and written reflective piece
“My favourite thing about the Academic Skills module was the lecture and seminar as it was in a subject stream I am interested in whilst also making me more interested in psychology. It gave me a taste of university which was very helpful. I loved the workshops too as they gave me skills that will help me within University"
Realising Opportunities participant 2025
Benefits of completing Realising Opportunities
Alternative Widening Participation offer
Participants who successfully complete Realising Opportunities and receive an offer to study from any partner university through UCAS, could receive an alternative Realising Opportunities offer which is typically two grades lower than the standard offer. It's important to note that recognition can vary across the Realising Opportunities partner universities and there are some course exemptions, please contact each partner university for details or view the Realising Opportunities benefits guide.
Realising Opportunities students applying to the University of York may be eligible for an alternative offer up to three grades below our standard offer, see our Access & Outreach alternative offer page.
If you're applying to study at the Hull York Medical School, see the alternative offers section on their entry requirements page.
Support and guidance
The Realising Opportunities partnership will continue to provide support to our participants who have taken part in the programme through our dedicated contacts until July 2027.
Skills development
At Realising Opportunities, we’re committed to equipping you with the tools and skills to thrive at research-intensive universities. We’ll focus on academic skills like referencing, note taking, evaluation, and independent research. We’ll also give you opportunities to network with other participants and get to know the Realising Opportunities partners.
Hear from our students
Meet Pharrell, a former Realising Opportunities participant here at the University of York and now a current student studying History. In this video, Pharrell talks about his RO journey, how it helped prepare him for university and what he enjoyed most about the programme.
“I believe the RO programme had a huge impact in my journey through my post-16 studies towards university, and was such an insightful experience. The pathways it opens up and the transferable skills you can gain from the programme are genuinely invaluable.”
“As the first person in my family to go to university, applying to higher education felt incredibly overwhelming. I can confidently say that my experience on RO played a defining role in my journey and is one of the very reasons I chose the University of York.”
Keep in touch
If you have any questions, you can also contact our University of York Realising Opportunities team at: realising-opportunities@york.ac.uk. This inbox will be managed until July 2027. If you are a current programme participant and need to contact us, you will be able to do so up until this point.