A transition day has been held to help underrepresented students prepare for university life.

The University of Southampton hosted 50 A-level students from across the UK at the event, which is part of a nine-month programme called Ignite Your Journey.

The programme, which was formerly known as Access to Southampton, supports young people from underrepresented or lower socioeconomic backgrounds to access higher education.

Since 2012, more than 1,500 students have been supported through the application and preparation for university.

The Right Honourable Justine Greening, joint chancellor of the University of Southampton and advocate for social mobility and equal opportunity, said: "The Ignite Your Journey programme is such a great way to support future students into a successful life ahead at university in Southampton.

"Both the chance to meet and be mentored by current students, access to financial support, and the wider support once they arrive in the autumn – it all makes a real difference."

The 50 students attending the day have all received an offer to study at the University of Southampton from September 2025.

The day included workshops and presentations on budgeting, dealing with stress, research skills, and a session from a final-year student on ‘an insider’s guide’ to what university life is like.

Ruby Woolmer, 17, from Reading, is planning to study English.

She said: "The programme has been really rewarding and I feel comfortable now being in the university environment.

"It was great to speak to alumni here about how they have enjoyed their time at university."

Ethan Cheung, 18, from East Sussex, has applied to study Aero Engineering.

He said: "One of my favourite parts of the programme was learning about time management, I found that especially helpful.

"It was also great to have a mentor to ask questions and to hear things from the perspective of someone already at university."

Current university student Lucy Doble, 19, completed the Ignite Your Journey programme ahead of starting university, and is now part of the follow-on programme Ignite Your Success, which supports students with financial, academic, career and personal opportunities.

Lucy, a second-year Geography student, said: "The financial support has been so crucial to my time at university."