Mission HE
Information about the Mission HE outreach programme for young men.
Mission HE – outreach for young men
What is Mission HE?
Mission HE (higher education) is a targeted outreach initiative delivered by Study Higher to empower young men—particularly those from underrepresented backgrounds and in receipt of Free School Meals (FSM)—to envisage, access, and succeed in their future education pathways. The programme builds on our earlier ‘Design Your Future’ initiative and has been reconfigured to respond to continuing inequalities in HE progression.
We know there is a significant gap in HE access: currently, only 14.9% of white young men eligible for FSM progress to higher education by age 19—compared to a national average of 45.8% (and 23.4% for FSM student males of any ethnicity). Mission HE is part of our drive to narrow that gap.
Mission HE (2-day event)
When: 2nd-3rd July 2026
Where:
2nd July-Oxford Brookes University, Headington campus,
3rd July- Oxford University and Pitt Rivers Museum
Target students: Young men in year 9 in receipt of free school meals
Agenda:
- Students will take part in interactive workshops exploring higher education at Oxford Brookes University and Trinity College, Oxford University
- University Student Ambassadors will lead campus tours with the chance to ask questions about university life.
- A trip to visit Pitt Rivers museum and a guided workshop to explore the museum
The event is FREE to attend with transport and lunch included.
Schools can register their interest to attend by completing the form below (for max 15 students). We will be in touch ASAP to confirm spaces where available.
Flier for download available below.
The impact of Mission HE
Mission HE is designed with clear, measurable outcomes. In our pilot:
-70% of participants reported that they felt higher education was somewhere they could fit in and be happy, an increase from 20% at the start
-Additional evaluation metrics (attitude shifts in confidence, aspirations, subject awareness) also showed strong improvement.
Take a look at our impact infographic below for more information
Feedback for Mission HE
These students had never been to a uni before today. This has been a great experience for them. A few have already said they want to look at uni now.
Teacher Feedback
Very impactful on understanding what and where university can help me.
Student Feedback
Students like these (from their socio-economic backgrounds) need the cultural capital that trips like this provide, as often they do not have the opportunities that other students have.
Teacher Feedback
It was nice to feel the experience of being in a university, to know how it works and the options you can take.
Student Feedback
It’s also important that young men learn that it is ok to “fail” and that this doesn’t have to be catastrophic but instead a learning opportunity that builds resistance and sometimes opens other pathways.
Speed Interviewer Feedback