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Ulster University has a strong sense of civic purpose with values grounded in helping to advance society in Northern Ireland.  In our 5-and-50 strategic plan (2016-2034) we have highlighted educational attainment and widening access as a key priority.

With campuses that are accessible across the region at Belfast/Jordanstown, Coleraine (North Coast) and Magee (Northwest) and an extensive network of validated provision across the FE sector of Northern Ireland, the University has a wide range of admissions, access pathways and financial packages to support those with difficult circumstances to overcome disadvantage and enter higher education,

Governance of widening access and participation at the University comes under the remit of the directorate of Access, Digital and Distributed Learning and the Fair Access, Participation and Student Success Sub-Committee. Together these bodies ensure that widening access and participation the University is centrally planned, is fair, monitored, evaluated and embedded.

The University’s contribution to widening access and participation for Northern Ireland is considerable.  To achieve this the University works in partnership through schools and community outreach, to ensure that those who are the most able but least likely to participate, have fair opportunity to access and success in higher education.

  • Aims

    Our aim is ultimately to improve participation in higher education.

    The target groups by which we measure this for widening access and participation are defined by government in Access to Success.  These are:

    • Students from Quintile 1 as measured by national Multiple Deprivation Measure
    • Young Males from Decile 1 as measured by national Multiple Deprivation Measure
    • Students with a Declared Disability
    • Students in receipt of Disability Support Allowance
    • Adult Learners
    • Care Leavers
    • Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic Groups

    We approach these aims and targets through the following:

    1. Widening Access and Participation is an explicit KPI of the University
    2. WP Analytics for better tracking of participation, retention, progression, success and learning gain
    3. Retention and support interventions for enrolled WP students
    4. Outward mobility funding for the development and employability of enrolled WP students
    5. Outreach and support to schools and communities in WAP districts
    6. Research on young male participation and attainment
    7. Progression pathways

In this section

Strategy image

Strategy

WAP strategy, Governance and Civic Contribution

WAP Plans image

WAP Plans

Information about the WAP Plan.

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WAP Governance

The Committee for Access, Participation and Student Success has a remit to keep under review and, as appropriate, advise and make recommendations in relation to the University's Widening Access and Participation Plan, policy, research, student applications and entry and success profiles.

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Financial Support for Students

Support for young people with a background of care

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Research and Analytics

WAP research and analytics at Ulster University.

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Interventions and projects

Information about WAP interventions and projects.

WAP Impact and Dissemination image

WAP Impact and Dissemination

WAP Impact, Student Success and External Dissemination.

Widening Access Policy and Research People

Information about the people within Widening Access.