Widening participation and access
Widening participation and access supports the principle that people from any background with the potential to benefit from higher education (HE) should have the opportunity to do so.
AUB is committed to attracting the most talented people from all backgrounds.
The University’s Access and Participation Plan for 2019/20, as approved by the Office for Students, is available here.
Outreach
We offer activities and opportunities to help those from under-represented groups to raise their awareness of the creative industries and aspirations towards creative subjects at university. Under represented groups include those from lower socio-economic classes, from neighbourhoods where fewer than average people attend university and those on lower incomes. Other groups that are significantly under represented in higher education are looked after young people and young carers.
We believe that everyone should be given the opportunity to sample university life for themselves in order to gain a greater understanding of what higher education can offer. Outreach activity aims to motivate, excite and inspire, to enable students to make an informed choice.
Some of our work is with schools and colleges as students learn to recognise the clear link between the school curriculum, study at higher education level and a career beyond.
Learners can also benefit from our programme of activities, such as:
- Advice on higher and further education options and application
- Benefits of higher education
- How to apply to university
- Information, advice and guidance about routes into creative careers
- Intensive sessions which are specific with a focus on art, design, media or performance.
- Preparing portfolios
- Student life and student finance
- Summer schools
On Course Support
On-course support includes tutor and technician activity; study skills support for students with a disability; and the wider work of the Student Services team, which provides career education, information and guidance; disability support; counselling services; study skills workshops; and an accommodation service.
Financial Support
Discretionary financial support aims to support those from under-represented groups, with a residual household income of below £25,000, who are permitted to make applications to this fund. Benefits include bicycle vouchers, which have been very successful and facilitate student travel to the campus; support for educational visits; and exceptionally, hardship loans.
Our Aims
We aim to ensure that all those with the potential to benefit from Higher Education have the opportunity to do so, whatever their background and whenever and however they need it.
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Spring Art School 2019
A unique three-day activity session for those in years 8, 9 & 10 who have an interest in art, design, media and architecture.
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Summer Art School 2019
A unique three-day activity session for those in years 8, 9 & 10 who have an interest in art, design, media and architecture.
Find out more
Raising Aspiration
We continue to develop strong, targeted outreach work which raises aspiration and encourages application from all those who have the capacity to benefit from our awards, regardless of background.
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Progression to HE
Access to our specialist courses in art, design, media and performance can be gained through non-traditional entry routes, providing a variety of progression pathways and are open to a wide range of full and part-time learners.
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Supporting Success
We continue to review our curriculum offer to ensure that, through both mode and subject of study, we are providing opportunities to those from under-represented groups.
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Care Leavers
AUB is committed to providing support for young people leaving care who wish to study at the University. The Buttle UK quality mark was awarded to AUB in 2013 (see news article) in recognition of the support that AUB provides to care leavers to enable higher education to be accessed and to provide ongoing support to care leavers during their studies. Buttle UK is a registered charity which aims to help children and young people in need through providing support and financial assistance.
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Student Case Studies
Meet some of our students as they share their experiences of being at University…
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One, Two, Three I Want to Be
One, Two, Three I Want to Be is an illustrated story book which introduces the concept of university study to primary-age children by showing them the infinite career and life possibilities open to graduates.
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