The University has embarked on production of a new five-year Access and Participation Plan. At the heart of the Plan will be a renewed drive to support students from underrepresented groups (e.g. those from lower socio-economic backgrounds) to get into the University of Liverpool, to help them succeed while they are here, and to enable them to go onto higher level study and/or a fulfilling career.
This builds on our long-standing civic mission to serve the local community and widen participation. For example the University is currently 1st in the Russell Group for the percentage of students entering Higher Education from low participation neighbourhoods.
The Plan will cover the period 2020-2021 to 2024-25 and must be drafted to meet an exacting set of regulatory requirements placed on HE providers by the Office for Students; with regulatory approval of the Plan being a pre-condition of charging higher rate tuition fees in England.
It will set out how the institution will go further to close any significant gaps in access and widen participation. In addition, the Plan will also commit to reduce gaps in continuation and degree outcomes between key underrepresented groups within the institution.
A series of task and finish groups have been set up to develop the Plan with representation from across the University, including academics, students and professional services staff. The finalised Plan will be submitted to the Office for Students late May 2019.
For further information about Access and Participation Plans, please visit the Office for Students website at: https://www.officeforstudents.org.uk/advice-and-guidance/promoting-equal-opportunities/access-and-participation-plans/
For any further questions or queries about the Access and Participation Plan at the University of Liverpool, please contact Associate Director, UK Student Recruitment and Widening Participation, John Corish at: john.corish@liverpool.ac.uk