Reduced inequalities 2020

At the University we are proud of our continuing record in giving people opportunities in higher education, especially where they might be the first in their family to have this chance. In 2018/19, 5689 (fte) students began a qualification with us, of whom 2385 (42%) were from families where neither parent had experience of higher education.

This extension of opportunity applies internationally too, with many of our international students coming from countries classed as low or low-middle income by the World Bank. In many cases these students are support by fee-reduction scholarships. The significance of this effort is reflected in the extent of the market share held by the University in many of the largest of these country-markets:

  • Nepal 21%
  • Pakistan 9%
  • Vietnam 7%
  • Egypt 4%
  • Algeria 3%
  • Nigeria 3%
  • Sri Lanka 3%
  • India 2%

The University has in place extensive measures against discrimination 

The University has an admissions policy which is non-discriminatory and which is publically available on the website.

The University’s Access and Participation Plan (APP) sets targets for access to the University from underrepresented groups, and as part of the APP process there is measurement and tracking of the performance of these groups in the application process, including from BAME, female, disabled, white working-class male (and therefore under-represented) students, and other groups including care-experienced students.

Programmes to recruit students from under-represented groups are run by the Schools and Colleges Liaison Service, including, for example, work with schools and colleges in areas of low participation like the Progression Module, which provides structured support on researching and applying for higher education, celebrates success in doing so, and on completion is awarded with an equivalent in UCAS tariff points for those applying to our courses.

We work to recruit under-represented groups into our staff groups and increase their employability, including for example the widely recognised scheme to bring people with learning difficulties into work experience opportunities with the University, shortlisted for the Times Higher Education Awards 2020.

We have policies in place to enable the recruitment, retention and development of female faculty, and recently successfully renewed our Athena Swan Bronze Award.

The University has established anti-discrimination and anti-harassment policies.

The University has recently refocused its Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Committee structures, ensuring that they cover the entire domain of student and staff activity at the institution and have the responsibility to advise on the necessary policies, programmes, and training related to diversity, equity, inclusion and human rights at the institution.

The University’s facilities and services are accessible for people with disabilities, as required by the relevant equalities legislation. This is supported in particular by Disability Services, part of the Student Services Directorate, and it includes work with applicants to assist in the transition into university.

We work with our partners in digs to provide a high quality of good value accommodation to our students, and they will discuss with students as appropriate the best ways to deliver accessible accommodation to students with disabilities.