Martingale Foundation launches the largest piece of research into barriers to postgraduate access to date in partnership with Pousaz Philanthropies, The Royal Society and Wellcome Trust. The research will seek to address the significant evidence gap that exists about who has access, and importantly, who does not, when it comes to postgraduate progression.
Demand for postgraduate talent is rising. Research by Universities UK has found that the UK will require 1.9 million STEM professionals by 2035, particularly in fields like engineering and healthcare. As postgraduate qualifications become increasingly associated with career and academic advancement, unequal access risks undermining social mobility and the talent pipeline.
Whilst access to undergraduate studies has been widely examined, postgraduate level remains largely unexplored. Data sets, where they exist, are fragmented, and both policymakers and the higher education sector lack robust evidence. Our research will begin to unlock these issues by increasing our understanding of how critical factors including socioeconomic background, parental education as well as ones’ undergraduate institution and where you grew up, impact access to postgraduate education. This is vital to ensure that financial background is not a barrier to the pursuit of excellence.
Alongside partners, Martingale will work with Public First, a policy and research consultancy, to analyse Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA) data. Using regression analysis and a matching process to track forward progression from undergraduate level for all domestic students in the UK, this research will build the clearest picture yet of who is progressing and, crucially, who is not. This data, coupled with a series of student focus groups, will underpin a series of practical recommendations for policymakers and the higher education sector to ensure that talent, not opportunity, dictates a student’s progression.
Martingale, launched in 2022 with the support of founding donor XTX Markets, finds, funds and supports gifted individuals from low-socioeconomic backgrounds to pursue postgraduate research at leading UK universities. Currently supporting over 100 scholars across ten leading universities, the foundation is committed to tackling the social, financial and cultural barriers faced by talented students from low-socioeconomic backgrounds. The report will be launched in autumn 2026 as part of a series of events across the UK. Sign up to our newsletter to receive updates or contact us if you want to hear more.