Widening Participation

The UCS Student Recruitment team works hard to promote widening participation (WP) in higher education.

UCS is committed to continuing to raise awareness, aspirations and attainment of young people from under-represented groups in higher education. Our activities focus on young people from disadvantaged social and economic backgrounds and people with disabilities.  

The role of the student recruitment and WP team is to:

  • Raise aspirations and motivation to enter HE among young people from under-represented groups.
  • Raise attainment of potential students from under-represented groups so that they gain the academic or vocational qualifications that will enable them to enter HE.
  • Raise awareness and understanding of the different progression routes into HE via vocational courses – so that prospective students understand that A-levels are not the only option.
  • Offer information, advice and guidance to potential students and their teachers and families.

The widening participation officers work closely with students from across Suffolk, particularly those in Years 8-13. We target students from lower-socio economic groups, students with specific learning disabilites, looked after children, students from military families and mature students.

The activities we can offer for each age group are outlined below

Year 8 students

Family Awareness Day

Why go and what is higher education workshop

Year 9 students

Why go and what is higher education workshop

UCS campus visit

Years 10 and 11 students

Decision making presentation and workshop

Routes into higher education presentation and workshop

Exam/Revision skills presentation or workshop

UCS campus visit

Summer Schools

Years 12, 13 and FE students

Presentations and workshops in preparing for the HEC

UCAS and personal statements presentation

How to choose a university and course workshop

Decision making presentationa and workshop

Exam/Revision skills presentation or workshop

Student finance/budgeting presentation

Summer Schools

Attendance at parents evening presentations

UCS campus visits

In addition to the events above we are also able to run tailored UCAS days for Year 12 students in Suffolk.

For more information about Widening Participation, or to book any of the workshops above please contact the Student Recruitment team

T 01473 338330

E s.hiskey2ucs.ac.uk|.