Edge Hill Leads the Way on Access

Edge Hill University is ranked first in the North West for widening participation in higher education, according to performance indicators published today.

The statistics, published by the Higher Education Statistics Agency, judge each institution?s records against national averages and sector benchmarks, and Edge Hill University is top in the region for 'participation of under-represented groups in higher education?.

These groups include students from specific socio-economic classes and low participation neighbourhoods.

This success follows news of Higher Education Minister Bill Rammell?s disappointment that the proportion of students from state schools starting UK universities has actually fallen.

He said: "The government is determined to do everything possible to make further progress and widen participation. There remains an economic need for more graduates, and to achieve this we need a more representative student population."

Edge Hill ranked highest for 'young full-time first degree entrants?, 'young full-time undergraduate entrants? and 'mature full-time undergraduate entrants?, and second, third and fourth in the remaining three areas.

Rhiannon Evans, Edge Hill University's Pro Vice-Chancellor (External), said: "We are extremely proud of our reputation for attracting students from a wide variety of backgrounds, who go on to gain degrees and enjoy successful careers, and the league tables once again show that we are leading the way in this area.

"As a university with a proud track record going back some 120 years, we will continue to encourage many more people to improve their life chances through higher education."

The tables also show that the percentage of Edge Hill leavers gaining first degrees from full-time courses and going on to employment or further study within six months of graduation was up to 94% - placing the university fourth in the North West and above benchmark and sector averages.