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Access and Participation Plan

We recognise that higher education transforms lives and communities and we are committed to ensuring that every student, regardless of background, can access, succeed in, and progress from higher education.

Our Plan for 2025-29

Our Commitment to Equality of Opportunity

We serve a region with significant socio-economic challenges, and this shapes our approach. Over 30% of our entrants come from the most deprived neighbourhoods, and we have seen a rise in students disclosing disabilities, particularly mental health conditions.

In response, we have strengthened our support infrastructure, including recruiting additional wellbeing and inclusion staff and embedding Higher Education Learning Mentors (HELMs) to provide personalised academic and pastoral support. Analysis shows that students engaging with HELMs achieve higher attainment and continuation rates, demonstrating the impact of targeted interventions.

Addressing Diversity and Overcoming Barriers

  • Understanding Our Students

    Our student community reflects the diversity and challenges of our region. Many of our higher education students come from areas where progression to university is not the norm, and a significant proportion face additional barriers such as living in areas of deprivation, having a disability, or managing mental health conditions.

    Data shows that these groups are less likely to stay on their programme, achieve a 2:1 or above, or progress into highly skilled employment or further study compared to their peers.
     

    Three young individuals seated on the grass, smiling joyfully, enjoying a sunny day together in a relaxed atmosphere.

  • Our Three-Pillar Approach

    • Access: We work closely with local schools and community organisations to raise aspirations and awareness of higher education opportunities. Initiatives such as outreach events and progression programmes aim to remove barriers for learners from low-participation areas.
    • Success: Through programmes like Power to Progress and our refreshed Power Skills Award, we help students develop academic confidence and employability skills. These initiatives encourage self-reflection and recognise transferable skills, supporting students to thrive during their studies.
    • Progression: We collaborate with employers and embed work-based learning opportunities across our curriculum. Our Degree Plus initiative, now evolved into Power Skills, ensures graduates leave with the competencies needed for successful careers.
       

    We continuously monitor gaps in access, success, and progression using OfS dashboards and our internal analytics. This evidence-based approach informs our interventions and ensures accountability for improving outcomes for underrepresented groups.

    Our ambition is clear: to create an inclusive, supportive environment where every student can achieve their potential and contribute positively to society.

Introducing Our Plan for 2025–29

Our 2025–29 Access and Participation Plan is shaped by this understanding. We have identified six priority groups and set clear objectives to address the gaps in access, success, and progression. Our approach is evidence-informed and student-centred, developed in partnership with our Students’ Union and regularly evaluated for impact.

Key actions include:

  • Targeted support for students from low participation areas, including financial support and proactive engagement with HE Learning Mentors.
  • Enhanced support for students with mental health conditions and those living in deprivation, such as dedicated wellbeing mentors, assistive technology, and new wellbeing spaces.
  • Focused progression support for female students, those with disabilities, and students from deprived backgrounds, including early and integrated careers advice, inclusive events, and the Power Skills employability award.

We offer a comprehensive package of financial support, including equipment funds, DSA contributions, scholarships for care leavers and carers, and hardship funds, to help students overcome financial barriers to success.
 

Read Our Access & Participation Plan