Widening Participation in Postgraduate Study

This Working Group is organised by the University of Leeds.

The NEON Working Group aims to bring together practitioners and researchers to share best practice, innovate and test models that will:

  • Widen access to postgraduate taught and doctoral study addressing gaps where there is under-representation. This includes a project to trial the use of additional criteria in the admissions process;
  • Contribute to the depth and breadth of understanding of barriers to, and within postgraduate study, sharing research and considering intersections of disadvantage;
  • Consider metrics for the evaluation of intervention activity to support progression of under-represented groups , and within, postgraduate study;
  • Seek opportunities to share best practice at a national level

In 2022, the NEON Widening Participation in Postgraduate Study working group launched its innovative strategy blueprint for enhancing access and success in both postgraduate study and research among underrepresented and minoritised groups.
Since then, so much important and exciting work has taken place. The 2nd Postgraduate Diversity Summit, co-organised by the University of Leeds and London Business School, will take place on 18th July at London Business School, and is an opportunity for colleagues from across the sector to both reflect on the progress we have made in this rapidly evolving space and look to the future. Register your interest now!  

 

In addition to the regular meetings of the working group, there are currently five workstreams involving colleagues, from across the sector, collaborating to lead themed areas and progress areas of work:

  1. Maximising Recruitment of Diverse Cohorts, Including Recruiting Students who are not Studying in HE – Lead: Louise Banahene, University of Leeds, L.Banahene@adm.leeds.ac.uk     This workstream will focus on how to maximise the recruitment of diverse cohorts to Postgraduate study, including         admissions processes, funding, and scholarships.
  2. Student Experience Amongst Diverse Groups in Postgraduate Study – Leads: Jenn Coates, University of Leeds, j.coates1@leeds.ac.uk and Oli Young, University of Exeter, oy223@exeter.ac.uk
    This workstream will focus on the student experience of specific groups in Postgraduate study, thinking about students who may be working class, estranged, care experienced, etc.
  3. Sources of Information, Advice, and Guidance at Pre-Application Stage – Lead: Ann-Marie Houghton, Lancaster University, a.houghton@lancaster.ac.uk
    This workstream will focus on the sources of information, advice, and guidance available to students prior to applying to Postgraduate study, including looking at how we reach target groups who would benefit from additional support.
  4. Review of Governance and Strategic Ownership – Lead: Jacqueline Rose, University of St Andrews, assocprovost-education@st-andrews.ac.uk
    This workstream will focus on reviewing governance and strategic ownership, including where widening participation sits within organisations.
  5. Careers and Employability – Lead: Iwi Ugiagbe-Green, Manchester Metropolitan University, i.ugiagbe-green@mmu.ac.uk
    This workstream aims to better understand career planning needs for postgraduate students. Colleagues are working on a collaborative, JISC funded, research project to investigate further.

In July 2022, the Working Group launched a strategy blueprint and pledge of intent to work collaboratively to bring about positive change. The Group recognise organisations will be at different points in the journey and joining this pledge will provide a supportive environment in which to share practice and to improve the representation of under-represented groups in postgraduate study. Click here for more information.

In Spring 2023 the NEON Widening Participation in Postgraduate Study Network launched a project to collate and publish case studies showcasing the great ongoing work to implement the strategy blueprint – widening access and enhancing experiences in postgraduate study. For more information on the first wave of these case studies, launched in Autumn 2023, please click here. 

Please see terms of reference here or for more information about this Working Group contact Liv Powell at O.S.C.Powell@leeds.ac.uk.

Scheduled Events

For upcoming meeting dates please view our Events Calendar Here >>

Attendance at Working Group meetings is free to NEON members. Non-members are welcome to attend but there is a fee of £80 per meeting.

Working Group Materials

2025

April

February 

2024

Action Log

  • September

Minutes

Agenda

Careers and employability

Competency based admissions framework

Advocacy as transition

workstreams updates

meeting recording

  • April

April Workstream Updates (April 2024)

Agenda – April 2024 Meeting (Updated)17-04-2024

 Meeting Minutes

April meeting recording

2023

Workstream updates September 2023

Final Meeting Minutes 11-09-2023 

Agenda September 2023

January 

2022

October

April

Jan

https://www.educationopportunities.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/Penelope-P-J-Sucharitkul.pdf

Screenshots from the Menti section of the day

October 2021

June 2021

April 2021

• Recording
• Dr Rosa Marvell, Widening Participation Evaluation Team, Oxford Brookes University
• Minutes

Jan 2021

Recording

Minutes

Mind the Gap – Sue Edwards, Lancaster University

2020

September

Recording of the meeting.
Presentation – Prof. Paul Wakeling. Head of Department of Education, University of York

Materials from the meeting can be found here.

June

Minutes from the meeting.

February

2019

October

Progression into Postgraduate Taught study for students from POLAR quintile 1 and 2 and BAME backgrounds – Project Summary and Outcomes

Increasing Progression to and Success in Taught Postgraduate Study