Strategy 2009-10 to 2013-14
Expanding Opportunities
Supporting Strategy Two - To maintain the diversity of
the University’s student intake by enhancing access to all those able to
benefit from its educational provision.
The University has a long-standing commitment to widening participation
and access to higher education. Since its establishment in 1964, the
University has actively encouraged and supported applicants from
non-traditional routes, initially focusing on mature students and those with
disabilities and more recently on raising awareness and aspirations and
providing wider opportunities for other under-represented groups.
The University is proud of its diverse student community and aims to
maintain this by continuing to provide access to higher education (either at
the University’s campuses or partner colleges) for all those able to benefit
from its educational provision. The University encourages applications from
all students who are able to demonstrate the potential to benefit from study
at higher education level. Individual applicants are considered on the basis
of their merits, abilities and potential, regardless of race, ethnic origin,
gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, disability, age, socio-economic
background, family circumstances, religious or political beliefs and
affiliations or other irrelevant distinction.
The
University recognises the need to tailor modes of teaching and learning to
the diversity of student needs. Approaches and policies in relation to
widening participation, learning and teaching and employability are
integrated to provide effective support for student success across the range
of student backgrounds and learning styles.
The University is committed to continuing to serve the eastern region by
appealing to a broad student market through a wide range of differentiated
provision across multiple campuses. The University’s strategic partnerships
extend and deepen its regional presence and widen access to higher education
by providing a range of high quality degree and sub-degree courses and study
opportunities across Essex, Suffolk and Norfolk. Partnership working has
also enabled the University to deliver on other higher education priorities
including social inclusion, knowledge transfer, skills training and regional
economic development.
Our Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) explain the
targets.
The access agreement can be found on the
Office for Fair Access (OFFA) website.