1. Quality through Diversity – Widening Participation to the University of Bristol Lucy Collins Head of Widening Participation and Undergraduate Recruitment

2. 2 The Vision The University is committed to the highest standards in teaching, learning and research. To maintain these standards the University must…recruit students with the ability, motivation and potential to succeed. Such people exist in every walk of life and the University must attract interest from the broadest possible spectrum of society if it is to avoid cutting itself off from some of the most outstanding talent. Widening Participation Strategy 2004 - 09

3. 3 A History of Widening Participation The University of Bristol has a long history of widening participation 1999 Widening Participation Strategy Applications Admissions Student support 2001 Widening Participation Strategy Reviewed progress Related plans to HEFCE benchmarks 2004 Widening Participation Strategy Local milestones Embedding of activity across University Key issue: conversion of applicants to entrants Increased Bristol branding New focus on research

4. 4 WP at Bristol: What We Do Collaborate with other providers to benefit HE as a whole Raise Aspirations through: Aimhigher days Enhance attainment through: Mentoring and tutoring schemes for school pupils Subject enrichment programmes Increase Awareness through: Summer schools School-based presentations and workshops

5. 5 WP at Bristol: What We Do Support Applicants by: Providing clear information about our admissions policies, procedures & selection criteria Ensuring that promotional materials & correspondence are accessible Taking personal circumstances & school performance into account Support Achievement through: Student support Development of Peer to peer mentoring

6. 6 WP at Bristol: What We Dont Do State school applicants Independent school applicants Minority ethnic applicants Mature applicants Fix the admissions process in favour of/against any particular group e.g:

7. 7 The Access Agreement With the introduction of increased fees from October 2006 came a statutory requirement to demonstrate the Universitys commitment to widening participation February 2005 – University of Bristol submitted its Access Agreement to the Office For Fair Access The Access Agreement provides an opportunity to link our outreach activity more directly to the Universitys Widening Participation and Education strategies

8. 8 The Access Agreement Outreach Strategic review of our work with schools Increase in subject enrichment activity Expansion of summer schools Advice and guidance for teachers, parents and prospective students Inreach Development of Peer – Peer mentoring scheme Completion of faculty and support services plans Customer service review and emphasis on conversion Research Development of research cluster Appointment of academic research cluster co-ordinator

9. 9 Student Recruitment Creating Links Merger of Student Recruitment with Widening Participation in January 06 Development of UK Marketing Plan – geographical targeting of events Development of communication and marketing plans Open Days Second open day in Autumn under consideration Student led precinct tours throughout the summer Improved publicity and marketing materials Prospectus Redesign and restructure of 2006 printed prospectus Review of online prospectus Focus on student profiles and accessible information