Widening Participation

Angela Milln & Zoë Pither

Why Widening Participation?

• A moral issue• Current student population ‘unrepresentative’

WP Category

Intake Milestone

Actual Intake 2010/11

Mature Students 9% 4.4% Students from low performing schools / colleges3

40% 25.3%

Students from Low Participation Areas2

10.4%

Socio-economic groups 4-7 11.6% Minority ethnic students 10.0% Disabled students 7.1% Local students 5.0%

WP Category

Application Milestone

Actual Applications 2010/11

Mature Students 11.4% 9.1% Students from low performing schools / colleges3

46% 26.4%

Students from Low Participation Areas2

17.7% 14.5%

Socio-economic groups 4-7 25.2% 13.6% Minority ethnic students 19.1% 12.8% Disabled students 4.6% 5.6% Local students 6% 3.6%

Why Widening Participation?

• A moral issue• Current student population unrepresentative.• Longstanding commitment to attracting the best

students, whatever their background (1st WP strategy 1999).

• A political/regulatory issue• Government requirement for HEIs wishing to

charge tuition fees above £6k p.a.

2012/13 Access Agreement

• Requires us to:• Specify the proportion of ‘additional’ fee income

to be reinvested in student financial support and outreach activity (approx £35%).

• Make specific commitments in terms of outreach.• Set targets against which progress in widening

participation will be assessed.

Aims of Outreach

• Impartial information and advice• Raising awareness• Raising aspirations• Contributing to attainment• Breaking down misconceptions• Developing relationships

Perceptions of University Life

• Breaking down barriers• Personal experience• Supportive role models• Stereotypes

Activity: A day in the life of…

Access to Bristol

• Pathways to Law• Curriculum enrichment• 320 students• 15 subject streams• Building relationships

Realising Opportunities

• Pilot project• Partnership of 13 research intensive

universities• Higher education experience• Student mentor• Study skills• Academic rigor

Summer School

• Sutton Trust• 160 Year 12 students• 6 subject streams• Residential experience• Academic sessions• Higher education information & experience

Work with Schools & Colleges

• Precinct visits• Workshops & talks• Student role models• HE Advisers Day• Contact with local authorities• Student funding information• UCAS applications

Mature Students

• Different needs & experiences• Mature Students Adviser• Individual advice and liaison• Information Sessions• Mature Students Welcome• Study Skills

Outreach Plans 2012/13 and beyond

• Increased emphasis on outreach & retention in Access Agreement will necessitate:• Review of structures supporting delivery• Expansion of some existing activities• New approaches to collaboration (Exeter, Bath?)• New initiatives – e.g. IntoUniversity?; Review of

transitional support?; new pathways/progression routes