Prospectus

Access & widening participation

Support into higher education

We’re committed to widening participation in higher education and helping students from underrepresented backgrounds to access, succeed in and progress beyond their studies.

Our Access and Participation Plan sets out how we will improve equality of opportunity for home undergraduate students, with a particular focus on students who may face barriers linked to income, disability, mental health, prior educational route and other forms of disadvantage.

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Our plan recognises that some groups currently experience lower rates of access, continuation and attainment, and sets out how we will address those gaps over the period 2025–26 to 2028–29.

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Our priorities

We have identified four main areas for improvement:

  • increasing access to higher education for students from low-income households
  • increasing participation for students who were eligible for free school meals
  • improving continuation for students with a declared disability, particularly students with mental health needs
    reducing the awarding gap for disabled students
Read the report

How we help students

Our approach covers the whole student journey, from outreach and recruitment through to academic success and progression. Key areas of work include:

  • wellbeing and mental health support to help students feel supported and develop a strong sense of belonging
  • inclusive curriculum review to improve teaching, learning and assessment practices
  • academic support including study skills development and individual feedback
  • employability and vocational development through the Plumpton Graduate approach
  • students as partners, ensuring student voice helps shape the experience
  • targeted financial support for students most in need

Financial support

Plumpton College offers a Higher Education Hardship Fund for eligible students, with bursaries of up to £1,000 per year of study. Additional short-term support is also available through a voucher scheme for students facing financial hardship outside term time.

Students may also be able to access flexible paid work through student ambassador roles at the College.

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Information and advice

Prospective students can find information about fees and financial support through open days, events, outreach activity, email communications and our website. Current students can access guidance through the Higher Education Student SharePoint Hub and through the HE Office.

For further information, please contact the Higher Education team at heoffice@plumpton.ac.uk.

Student involvement & evaluation

Students have helped shape the plan through representatives and the Students’ Union, and they continue to be involved through student voice and governance structures.

We will monitor progress throughout the life of the plan, evaluate the impact of our activities, and review our approach where needed to ensure support is making a meaningful difference.