Access Partnership Programme

It is a matter of the highest strategic importance to the University that we maintain and improve upon our strong track record for widening access.

Our key groups for wider access are learners from:

• The local area
• The lower socio-economic groups
• Neighbourhoods with low rates of participation in higher education
• Black and minority ethnic groups that are similarly under-represented
• Vulnerable groups such as young people leaving care.
• Learners with disabilities and recognise this as a key feature of our widening participation strategy

The promotion of higher education opportunities is part of our responsibility as a University. We are the only University in Bedfordshire recruiting significant numbers of undergraduate students and the only higher education option in many local towns. Our contribution to widening participation is therefore of critical importance and we will work with schools, colleges, local authorities, careers services and others to promote the benefits of participation in higher education.

Through the successful work we have already achieved, we are able to develop a coherent approach to widening participation practice,and can ensure that what we do has the maximum impact. By so doing, we seek to increase opportunity, build cultural capital, raise skills and enhance employability.

To these ends we have designed the Access Partnership Programme, For more details of the varies activites we offer, please see the relevant links on the left.