Adapting the Social Mobility Index: Evaluating the Role of Scottish Higher Education in Advancing Equity and Inclusion

What is it about?

This study adapts the English Social Mobility Index (SMI) to assess how Scottish universities support social mobility, considering Scotland’s unique social and policy context. Using data aligned with the Scottish Index of Multiple Deprivation (SIMD), it examines access, retention, and graduate outcomes. The findings show that universities enrolling higher numbers of disadvantaged students often struggle with retention, while institutions like St Andrews and Aberdeen excel in retention but recruit fewer disadvantaged students. The study highlights the challenges of traditional social mobility models, including structural barriers and the zero-sum nature of mobility. It calls for tailored funding, improved retention support, and broader definitions of success that account for long-term and non-economic impacts. This research aims to guide policies and practices that foster greater equity in higher education.

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