Our Vision

Across the United Kingdom, hundreds of students going to public schools, especially students from socioeconomically and historically disadvantaged backgrounds, face barriers that have little to do with their ability – and everything to do with access. They have the ambition and the potential. What they often lack are the networks, guidance, and resources needed to turn that potential into opportunity (and in turn, success). 

Keeping this in mind, it becomes impossible to overlook how too many bright young students miss out on places at leading universities or competitive careers, not because they aren’t capable, but because the right path was never made visible to them. Among Britain’s leading people, 36% were privately educated, and the most influential roles in the country continue to be dominated by those from private schools and from the most prestigious universities, notably Oxford and Cambridge (Sutton Trust, 2025). Just 11% of internships are found by responding to an open advertisement, while 20% come through family members or friends who have a contact in the organisation running the internship, and a further 9% through a work colleague (Sutton Trust, 2025). Is this loss just for individual students? No. It’s a loss for our society and workforce, as we miss out on the innovation and possibilities new students could bring.

To build a more level playing field, we need to invest directly in these students, connecting them to the people, knowledge, and support systems that can help them thrive. This is exactly what UCAN is here to do: ensure that every student in London, regardless of background, has the network and the confidence to reach their full potential.