We’re introducing an ambitious new plan to improve equality of opportunity in higher education and make Durham more diverse and inclusive than ever before.
Our new Access and Participation Plan (APP) has been approved by the Office for Students, the independent regulator of higher education in England, and will come into effect from September.
It builds on our ongoing drive to give everyone fair opportunity to reach university and thrive in their studies.
We’ve already made great strides in this area, with one in five of our new undergraduate students joining us through a scheme aimed at widening access to education.
This new APP represents a step change in how we’re identifying and encouraging students from underrepresented groups to study with us.
We have identified specific groups of students who face extra challenges in accessing and participating in higher education, and we’ve developed targeted support to help them progress.
There are tailored plans to support mature students, and those with mental health difficulties, and we’re also working hard to make sure everyone feels part of a diverse university community.
Our Space to Explore Potential (STEP) programme helps Black-heritage students to explore their own potential, and all that Durham has to offer.
Our 17 colleges each foster unique communities that play a vital role in supporting students throughout their time with us.
Beyond their studies, our students can also engage in over 1,000 student-led clubs and societies, enriching their university experience with a diverse range of opportunities.
Meanwhile, initiatives such as our annual Celebrate Science festival and museums and outreach work have engaged with thousands of pupils over the years.
We support our students with mental health services, transition programmes, and financial aid - and when it’s time to plan for the future, we provide career advice, work experience and mentoring to help our students take their next steps with confidence.
Of course there is still work to be done, and our APP sets out seven key objectives to ensure we’re creating an even more diverse student community.
We are committed to increasing access, improving ethnic diversity, reducing attainment gaps, enhancing continuation rates, supporting mature students, achieving mental health equity and promoting inclusivity.
We want to raise the proportion of Black heritage and Asian heritage students studying at Durham and we’re working hard to increase the proportion of economically disadvantaged students studying with us.
Reducing the attainment gap for students reporting mental health disabilities is also an important element of our work.
Our progress in these and other areas will be continually evaluated to ensure we’re on track to achieve our goals.
Financial support is a key part of our plan, and we’ve improved our grant system to help families who might not qualify for the highest level of financial aid but still feel the squeeze.
Extra funds are being made available for students facing sudden money problems and for those who struggle to afford to fully take part in University activities.
Our Durham Grant Scheme is one of the most generous grant schemes in the sector and we’re now able to support even more students by broadening the eligibility criteria.
A range of targeted scholarships and funding options are also available to support underrepresented groups.
This includes the upcoming launch of a new scholarship funded by our current Chancellor, Fiona Hill, for students from North East England.
Our students themselves will be an important part of making these plans work.
We’re encouraging students to get involved by joining advisory boards, becoming outreach ambassadors, or representing their peers on important committees.
By closely collaborating with our students, we can ensure that the changes we make are relevant and effective.
Everyone deserves fair opportunity to reach their full potential. Our new Access and Participation Plan will make Durham more diverse and more inclusive than ever before. If you’re considering your study and career options, think: Durham.
Durham University’s new Access and Participation Plan marks a significant step forward in ensuring that students from all backgrounds have the opportunity to benefit from and thrive in higher education. A diverse student body enriches learning, fosters innovation, and strengthens our communities. Importantly, we must also ensure young people from the North East are able to follow their goals of studying at Durham - finances should not be a barrier to them fulfilling their higher education dreams. I look forward to seeing the positive impact this will have for students from our city and region
/prod01/prodbucket01/media/durham-university/central-news-and-events-images/83431-1920X290.jpg)