WINCHESTER University's vice-chancellor is set to advise the Government on how to improve access to higher education for students from disadvantaged backgrounds.

Professor Joy Carter has been appointed to the Social Mobility Advisory Group, which will investigate what can be done to help under-represented groups from school age through to university and beyond.

A report published next summer will be presented to universities minister Jo Johnson, with the panel's recommendations fed to David Cameron.

Describing the invitation as a "huge honour", Prof Carter vowed to continue the university's history of helping the disadvantaged.

She said: “Higher education should be a force for opportunity and social mobility, not for the entrenchment of privilege. It is implicit in our mission that we should seek to ensure that all who can benefit from a University of Winchester education will have the opportunity to do so, regardless of their background, and that we should do this with particular regard for marginalised groups.

“It is a huge honour to represent the University of Winchester and the region on this important new Government advisory group. I am proud to lead an institution with a long history of upholding people's rights, seeking justice and challenging prejudice."

Prof Carter is one of 18 vice-chancellors and other figures from the sector who will look at students' progression from pre-application to career progression after graduation.

It follows a social mobility initiative launched by the Prime Minister in sectors including higher education, the armed forces and the police.

A Winchester University spokesman said it exceeds national targets for participation of disadvantaged students.

"The university actively works with young people across Hampshire - particularly those in neighbourhoods with low levels of participation in higher education, people in care, young carers, people with disabilities and military families - to encourage them to learn about the benefits of higher education," the spokesman added.