Widening Participation to Postgraduate Education

Access Academy Training

Summary
Although undergraduate provision has historically been the focus of widening participation policy, practice and research, increasing attention is being paid to equity in postgraduate provision. With increasing numbers of graduates, better evidence about the inequalities in postgraduate access and a shifting sectoral context, considering widening participation to postgraduate education is ever-more important. Although there have been some limited policy changes in the past decade – such as the Postgraduate Support scheme and introduction of the Master’s and Doctoral loans – and some important institutional work is emerging, more remains to be done.

This interactive one-day Access Academy session will introduce participants to the evidence base about access to postgraduate courses in the UK and offer opportunities for practitioners to share their insights and consider potential future action. We will collectively explore questions such as:

− What are the distinctive features of the postgraduate ‘landscape’ and how do these differ from undergraduate level?
− What do we know about the patterns of access to postgraduate study in the UK?
− What is the role of non-linear educational journeys and why does this matter for widening participation?
− How can we identify and respond to deficit discourses in postgraduate widening participation?
− What are the financial and non-financial aspects of (un)fair access to postgraduate education in the UK?
− What might successful widening participation practice for postgraduate study look like?

Learning outcomes
1. Explore current trends in postgraduate provision and participation
2. Enhance understanding of inequalities in postgraduate access and the importance of widening participation to postgraduate education
3. Interrogate intersecting financial and non-financial barriers to postgraduate participation
4. Develop emerging ideas and actions for implementation at your own institution
5. Access networking opportunities with other professionals and practitioners interested in widening participation to postgraduate study

Presenter
The session will be facilitated by Dr Rosa Marvell from the University of Portsmouth. Rosa has been actively engaged in researching higher education inequalities for many years, including work funded by the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS), the Higher Education Funding Council for England (HEFCE) and the Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC).

Date: Wednesday 2nd March 2022
Time: 10am start until 4pm
Location: This event is taking place online

Price
Membership organisation rate: £99
Non-member organisation rate: £159
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