Widening Participation, Policy and the Future of Higher Education Mary Stuart

The Agenda Higher Education in England from 2012 The White Paper – students at the heart of the system From Widening Participation to Social Mobility

In two years.... Complete reshaping of higher education funding Increased pressure on student numbers and fines for over recruiting Substantial visa controls on international students Reduction in research funding

Higher Education from % of our teaching funding coming from student loans Expectations of students Drop in demand? International students and threats from UKBA Postgraduate demand?

Students at the heart of the system? AAB+ Core and Margin The KIS and the WIS HEFCE the new regulator Where is the public benefit of HE? Where is research? The White Paper

Information for Students – KIS Including: NSS Graduate Salaries Graduate destinations Contact time Accommodation costs SU activities Wider information sets - including number of staff with teaching qualification Class sizes and how institutions spend they funds

From Widening Participation to Social Mobility In class terms we have moved from 15% of people from lower socio-economic groups in HE in 2005 to 19% in 2010 – real success With student number cap is WP still a real option? Fair Access – no real movement here – issue is in schools – contextual data? No Aimhigher so will Universities STILL do WP work?

Social Mobility About outcomes later in life Considerable movement through 20 th century Government strategy and Milburn as the Social mobility ‘tzar’

Social Mobility and Universities How do we help students from disadvantaged backgrounds move up the social ladder? Employability for GRADUATE jobs Wider engagement in activities Creating networks that support graduate level work Entrepreneurship

The Challenge for Universities Focus on student outcomes not just inputs Being aware of difference in our classrooms and engaging personally with students histories to help them grow and progress beyond HE