Birkbeck, University of London Widening Access and Retention Team

Overview – London’s Evening University A commitment to social mobility and widening access, remains core to the College’s mission. Flexible evening study enables adults from diverse educational and social backgrounds to participate in higher learning we offer short courses, Certificates of Higher Education, Undergraduate Degrees and Postgraduate Qualifications

Widening Access and Retention Team Outreach and Widening Participation Team and My Birkbeck Student Services merged in 2011 to form the Widening Access and Retention team enabled us to devise and deliver a series of innovative interventions offering consistent student support from first point of contact through to end of a student’s first year. Located in External Relations – focus on recruitment and retention Highly Commended in Times Higher Education Awards for “Outstanding Student Services Team” 2012

Outreach: target groups mature students without previous experience of higher education students in areas with low participation in HE as defined by Government demographics low-income households work across London – particular focus in East London with Stratford Campus

Outreach Prospective students are not always sitting in a classroom environment making long-term engagement a challenge. To overcome this our approach to interventions is threefold: 1)Raising general awareness and aspirations of BBK and HE amongst general public 2)Promoting the benefits of flexible evening study to key partners working with adult learners 3)Preparing prospective students for HE study through outreach and in-reach

Outreach 1)Raising general awareness and aspirations of HE amongst general public Information stands at shopping centres and libraries Academic outreach - delivering subject tasters at community events Attending partner events as part of ALW, Black History Month, City Reads This year piloted Try It in Your CommUNIty (series of week long events at Cambridge House in Camberwell)

Outreach 2)Promoting the benefits of flexible evening study to key partners working with adult learners – FECs Attendance at HE Fairs Package of talks, tasters and tours on FECs request Pro Vice Master for Academic Partnerships – working towards institutional progression agreements with partner FECs and 10% discount of fees for staff working in FECs who want to study in Birkbeck

Outreach 2)Promoting the benefits of flexible evening study to key partners working with adult learners – unionlearn Providing information stands and tasters at Learning at Work Events Delivered Spanish and French Language Cafes at learning centres in Pudding Mill Lane, Kings Cross Station and Cert HE HIES in PCS Learning Centre in Clapham from September 10% discount of fees for union members across all levels of study as long as studying at a higher level

Outreach 2)Promoting the benefits of flexible evening study to key partners working with adult learners – Community Groups Learning Cafes at Children’s Centres and Crisis Homeless Charity  Five one hour workshops (one per week) based on Carol Dweck’s work on Mindsets  Non accredited, informal learning environment ‘dip your toe’  Progression to Cert HE Higher Education Introductory Studies  50 Learners this year

Outreach 3)Preparing prospective students for HE study through outreach and in-reach – “Try It” workshops actively encourage our outreach learners to come on to campus to help demystify university study. The series is repeated monthly and consists of: Preparing for Higher Education Future Focus - Careers Workshop Application Workshop Financing your university course Every Thursday there will be something taking place on campus

Contact We have a monthly e-newsletter – contact Kate Potts if you would like to be added to this Annette McCone – Garmon Ap Garth –