As part of our ongoing Access and Participation Plan commitments, our Widening Access and Student Success team undertake dedicated activity to support more Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic students to access university and higher education.

Diversity Access Programme

At Edge Hill University we are committed to diversifying our student community. Our Diversity Access programme provides dedicated pre-entry advice and guidance relating to choosing the right course, building confidence in accessing student support services, and feeling part of the University community.

The programme is for a small group of Year 12 (sixth form) or Year One (college) students and participation on the programme is limited due to the bespoke nature of the content delivered.

Support available for Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic students

Once students arrive at Edge Hill, they can apply to be a member of our Student Advisory Panel. Panel students are asked to attend several meetings per academic year and offer feedback on projects, events and ideas for enhancing the experiences of Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic students. Panel members receive training from Careers and eligible students will earn points towards an Extra Edge employability award.

On-course students are also automatically eligible to join the THRIVE programme, a support package including a dedicated THRIVE coach, skills development opportunities and networking with teams from across the University.

Financial support

Eligible students studying at Edge Hill can apply for further funding through our Student Support Fund.

On-course undergraduate and PGCE students at Edge Hill University can apply for up to £2000 from the Student Opportunity Fund. This can help support a career-enhancing project, initiative or opportunity.

Students who have experience of Local Authority care or who are estranged from their family may experience significant barriers to their education.

We want to support care experienced and estranged students to access and succeed within Higher Education. We can offer you a variety of support both pre-entry and whilst studying on-course in order to help with this.

Our dedicated pre-entry point of contact in the Widening Access and Student Success team can offer bespoke information and advice on accessing Higher Education. We can work with students on a 121 or small group basis. Our dedicated staff member can also visit students in their own educational institution and organise bespoke visits to Edge Hill to explore our campus and get to know current students and staff.

Support for care experienced and estranged students

On-course student support

When students start at Edge Hill University, they may also wish to access guidance and support from teams across the University. The Student Support team are the central team for on-course support and can help students to make the most of their time at university. Our Careers team also offer a dedicated service to support students with their career aspirations, part time work or experience, or any potential concerns they may have regarding employment.

Students are also automatically eligible to join the THRIVE programme, an on-course support package including a dedicated THRIVE coach, skills development opportunities and networking with teams from across the university.

Financial and accommodation support

Eligible students may be able to access an annual bursary of £1000 for up to a maximum of three years whilst studying. They may also be able to access further funding from our Student Support Fund.

On-course students can apply for a grant of up to £2000 from our Student Opportunity Fund to support a career enhancing project, initiative or opportunity.

Care experienced and estranged students studying at Edge Hill University may also be able to access a room in the University Halls of Residence for 365 days a year, for the three years of their degree course. If students do not wish to live on-campus, the Accommodation team can provide support in the search for accommodation both during term time and the vacation period.

Our partnerships and pledges

We work with a number of organisations to help us be there for students in need. We have been recognised for our work in supporting these students to access and succeed in Higher Education. Find out more about the organisations we work with:

• Care Leaver Covenant
• National Network for the Education of Care Experienced Learners
• The Stand Alone Pledge

As a university that is committed to increasing widening access and student success, we would like to work more closely with Gypsy, Roma, Traveller, Showman and Boatman students and their supporters in the future. We would welcome communications from any other institutions or agencies that would like to get involved in this work in collaboration with us. Please get in touch with the team via email.

We recognise and celebrate the skills, motivation and life experiences that this diverse group of students bring to university life. However, we also recognise that making the decision to come to university as a mature student can be a difficult one. Many mature students may have extra considerations to take into account. This could include how they are going to fit study around existing practical and financial commitments. They may worry about topping up their Level 3 qualifications, or have concerns around “fitting in” at University.

Support for mature students

Our team can work with students pre-entry and deliver presentations and workshops to mature students on the following topics:

• Introduction to HE
• Subject sessions
• How to apply
• Personal statements
• Interview techniques
• Mock interviews
• Sent off your UCAS application? What next?
• Student finance

All of the above sessions can be delivered in students’ current place of learning. The team are also happy to work with further education staff to develop and deliver bespoke sessions for this student group. We can also offer 121 advice for students where necessary.

Once here at Edge Hill, students are also automatically eligible to join the

There is also the opportunity to join our Fastrack: Preparation for Higher Education access programme, designed to enhance subject knowledge, study skills and IT skills. Fastrack is a 7-week programme that is free of charge and, on successful completion, will enable students to be considered for their chosen degree course.

Financial support

Mature students may also need some extra support around financial advice. We have a Student Finance presentation specifically designed for mature students which outlines the extra support that may be available. Students can also access 121 support from our Money Advice Team.

Further support

We have a dedicated Widening Access Officer for Access to Higher Education and mature students. Our officer can work with you and your students to help them address these issues in small group settings or a 121 basis.

Mature and part-time students also have their own Students’ Union Officer that can advise and represent them throughout their time at university.

Research indicates that students who have been previously eligible for free school meals may experience difficulties in accessing and succeeding in Higher Education. To provide support to this student group, the Widening Access and Student Success team are currently in the process of creating a dedicated outreach programme which will provide information, advice and guidance to students and their supporters about Higher Education. It will further aim to assist students with the transition into university life. For more information on this, please contact us via email.

When here at Edge Hill, students may also wish to access our dedicated on-course support programme, THRIVE, which will provide them with a package of timely support across the first year of their undergraduate journey. Students can also apply to join our dedicated Student Advisory Panel, a paid opportunity to share information around their university experiences.

In addition to working with children from military families, we also support military leavers to access Higher Education (HE) and regularly attend British Forces Resettlement Services (BFRS) events to offer information and advice to those considering HE. If you are or know a military leaver who would like to seek advice about progression to HE, please get in touch with the team to find out more.

Our Widening Access and Student Success team can offer information, advice and guidance to students on a 1-1 or small group basis (whether on-campus or in school or colleges) regarding access and applying to Higher Education as a student living with a disability or mental health condition. These sessions can further advise on the support options available.

Once on course, disabled students, or students who disclose a mental health condition may be eligible to access extra, specialised support from our dedicated Inclusion and Library and Learning Services teams at Edge Hill.

Students are also automatically eligible to join the THRIVE programme, an on-course support package including a dedicated THRIVE coach, skills development opportunities and networking with teams from across the university.

We recognise that students who may be the first in their family to go to Higher Education may not be able to access information and guidance from a trusted advisor who has been through the university experience. To support this student group, the Widening Access and Student Success team can provide information and support pre-entry to students, including answering questions and queries about the university application process as well as around student finance and funding.

When here at Edge Hill, students may also wish access our dedicated on-course support programme THRIVE, which will provide them with a package of timely support across the first year of their undergraduate journey. Students can also apply to join our dedicated Student Advisory Panel, a paid opportunity to provide information about their university experiences.

Young adult carers are aged between 18 and 25 and care for or look after a family member, friend or other individual, due to disability, chronic or terminal illness, mental health difficulty and/or drug/alcohol dependency.

As well as our pre-entry support, students can also access the following support whilst studying with us.

Support for students with caring responsibilities

To support students during their exploration and application to Higher Education, our dedicated pre-entry point of contact in the Widening Access and Student Success team can offer bespoke information and advice to young adult carers and can work with students on a 121 or group basis. Our member of staff can also visit students in their own school or college, as well as organise bespoke tailored visits to the University campus to meet with current students and staff.

After students have started their journey, they may wish to access guidance and support from Student Services. The team can help students to make the most of their time at university and complete their course successfully. We also work with educational practitioners and other school/college staff to offer support to students who may have caring responsibilities, and would welcome enquiries from anyone seeking support for their students.

Within the Careers team, students can talk to a dedicated team member about their career aspirations, finding part-time work experience, or any potential concerns they may have.

Financial support

Eligible students studying at Edge Hill can apply for further funding through our Student Support Fund.

On-course undergraduate and PGCE students at Edge Hill University can also apply for up to £2000 from the Student Opportunity Fund. This can help support a career-enhancing project, initiative or opportunity.

We recognise that people seeking a new life in the UK are some of the most vulnerable people in the UK.

We work in partnership with the Article 26 Project to enable people seeking sanctuary to progress to Higher Education (HE). A support package is provided for two successful applicants to help them achieve their HE goals. The Sanctuary Edge Award is in the form of a tuition fee waiver plus an additional £800 scholarship for the exclusive use of meeting the costs of course related materials and travel to and from the University. The scholarship is open to students who are:

• seeking asylum in the UK, or are a dependent or partner of someone seeking asylum
• seeking asylum in the UK, or are a dependent or partner of someone seeking asylum who has been granted limited leave to remain or some other form of temporary status

and

• have a conditional or unconditional offer from Edge Hill University.
• are currently attending a school, college, community or voluntary group which can provide a reference in support of your application.
• are unable to access mainstream funding, for example Student Finance or a local authority grant.
• live within commuting distance of Edge Hill University OR do not require support for living expenses or accommodation.

If you have any questions about this financial support, please contact the International Office via email.

If you or someone you support has been granted refugee status and you would like more information on how this affects an application to university, please get in contact with our Widening Access and Student Success team via email.