From 14–17 July 2026, the University of Reading Whiteknights Campus hosted the 14th annual Pathways to Property Summer School. Supported by staff and student ambassadors, 135 Year 12 students spent four exploring the real estate industry, whilst staying on campus in accommodation kindly provided by the UPP Foundation.
Delivered by the Reading Real Estate Foundation (RREF), the broader Pathways to Property programme engages thousands of young people nationwide each year. It specifically targets state school students from backgrounds under-represented in the property sector, including those from low-participation neighbourhoods, care-experienced youth, and young carers, all of whom have no prior senior connections to the industry. To completely remove financial barriers, participation is entirely free, covering all travel, accommodation, and food.
Alongside year-round school outreach, Pathways to Property runs an intensive annual programme for around 280 Year 12 and 13 students, with two core ways for them to get involved:
1. The Summer School
Over the four-day Summer School, up to 150 Year 12 students live on campus, experiencing university life first-hand. During this immersive programme, participants work in teams to tackle a real-world property project, attend careers and networking events, visit a major development site, experience university-style lectures and workshops, and meet a wide range of real estate professionals. Throughout the week, students also hear from alumni of the programme, many of whom have gone on to study real estate-related degrees and build successful careers in the industry, providing inspiring examples of the opportunities Pathways to Property can create.
The final day of the summer school is always the clear highlight. This year, after hearing inspiring stories from past participants, the students pitched their project ideas and delivered one-minute pitches to a panel of senior industry professionals, along with some lively questioning of their ideas. The guests were thoroughly impressed by the students’ creativity, passion, and presentation quality. Following a networking lunch in the Students’ Union, the winning teams walked away with certificates and vouchers before the traditional whole-group photo.
An amazing 1,423 students have now attended our Summer School since the first one in 2012.
2. Insight Days
Pathways to Property works with its industry partners to host 6 to 8 regional Insight Days each year, in cities including Manchester, Leeds, London, Birmingham, and Bristol. Condensing the most impactful elements of the Summer School into a single day, these events allow roughly 130 students living within the Insight Day regions to visit sites, work on a project which they present at the end of the day, and network with local professionals. Now in its third year, 361 students have attended an Insight Day.
Programme of Support
The journey does not end when students head home. Participation in the programme unlocks significant, long-term opportunities to build the students personal profiles and industry knowledge, including:
- Work Experience: A one-week placement during the October half-term, fully supported by a financial bursary, with a property related company or team
- Mentoring: Student mentoring from a current Real Estate and Planning student, and/or industry mentoring after the student turns 18 with a professional who either participated in the programme, or who works with a supporting company
- Financial Aid: Access to university bursaries worth up to £10,000 per year for those choosing to pursue a property-related degree.
This sustained support delivers proven results. As highlighted in the 2025 Pathways to Property Annual Review, at least 21% of participants successfully progress into real estate studies or employment, with many more developing skills, knowledge and connections which help them in the future.
Driven by Industry Generosity
This life-changing work is only possible through the financial and hands-on backing of industry supporters. Representatives from the UPP Foundation directly shaped this year’s Summer School; Jayne Golsby (SPV Partnerships Manager) introduced the cohort to the range of activity and opportunities within UPP, while Lucy Haire (Director of Sector Engagement) joined the final day to celebrate the students’ achievements.
By providing essential funding, time, and accommodation, our partners such as the UPP Foundation remove barriers for young people who would otherwise lack these opportunities, shaping a more diverse, creative, and articulate future for the real estate profession.
