The University of Winchester has made the shortlist for University of the Year in the eighth annual UK Social Mobility Awards.

The awards, set up in 2017, applaud organisations that foster social change within their communities.

Winchester University has been nominated for its work in education, providing opportunities to Gypsy, Traveller, Roma, Showmen, Boatman, and refugees, as well as children with a background in care and children from armed forces families.

Their Service Children Progression Alliance (SciP), established in 2018, supports over a thousand practitioners who aid the academic progress of forces families' children.

Their report, Under the Radar, has played a crucial role in increasing access for Armed Forces children by influencing the Office for Students to recognise them as a vulnerable group.

The university has also been lauded for its First Star Scholars programme and its status as a University of Sanctuary.

Winners will be announced on October 3 at an awards gala in London.

Tunde Banjoko, founder of the UK Social Mobility Awards, said: "Our vision is for every employer and educator in the UK to guide meaningful action to achieve socio-economic diversity, equity and inclusion, so we’re thrilled with the action shown by this year’s finalists."