March 2019
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This seminar examined the new approach to access and participation published by the Office for Students, which set long-term sector-wide targets aimed at eliminating the gap in entry rates at leading universities between the most and least represented groups, and tackling high non-continuation rates and gaps in degree outcomes.
Delegates considered the key barriers to higher education for different disadvantaged groups, and latest thinking on how outreach strategies can be tailored to target support.
Discussion assessed the impact of the National Collaborative Outreach Programme (NCOP) so far, which the OfS has agreed in principle to continue funding until 2021, and considered how partnerships between schools, colleges and universities can increase participation among disadvantaged groups through raising aspiration and improving pupil attainment. Attendees also looked at how universities can play a more active role in helping pupils meet university entry requirements.
Further sessions addressed other strategies for widening participation which go beyond the NCOP. Delegates drew on the experiences of alternative HE providers and foundation course providers, in addition to looking at strategies such as scrapping grade requirements and letter-writing, to consider fresh approaches that could be adopted by universities to diversify their student intake.
