Widening participation
Strategic objectives
If widening participation is viewed as part of core university activities such as recruitment, retention and research, rather than an autonomous entity, the chances of the successful implementation of innovative practice are greatly enhanced. The School of Social Sciences has formulated a unique spectrum of activities, which at one end converts WP activities into undergraduate students, whilst at the other provides support for local students with learning disabilities. The variety of activities demonstrate that is possible to target students of different ages and abilities under the umbrella of a single school widening participation strategy.
The School of Social Sciences widening participation activities are designed to meet the following strategic objectives;
- to offer a spectrum of WP activities ranging from one-off taster sessions to continuous courses;
- to engage students from different ages and ability groups - from primary school students to mature students – to students with learning difficulties;
- to raise the aspirations and awareness of students from ‘non standard’ backgrounds. The focus being on raising attainment of students by providing support mechanisms which will enable students to progress to, and succeed at, undergraduate study;
- to convert participants on WP initiatives into university undergraduates.
Contact details
Dr Tom McCunnie
Admissions Tutor/Widening Participation Manager
School of Social Sciences
Arthur Lewis Building
University of Manchester
M13 9PL
tel: 0161 275 1752
fax: 0161 275 4751