Access and Participation at UK universities: what it is and how it can help you

Most universities have to create an Access and Participation plan to support students from underrepresented groups. Use this guide to see what these plans could mean for you.

Why is Access and Participation important?

An underrepresented group is one that isn’t represented well enough, or is very small, within a given sample. In education, it includes students who: 

• went to a state school or college 
• are from an ethnic minority 
• have a disability 
• come from a low-income family 
• live in an area where few people go to university

Students from these groups tend to find it harder to get into and succeed in higher education. 

According to the Office for Students (2019), for instance, 24% of students from the most represented groups go to top universities, compared to only 4% from the least represented groups. 

Access and Participation plans help to close these gaps by making education fairer and giving underrepresented students more chances to succeed.

What are universities doing to fix it?

Universities are working to reduce these gaps for future students. They must create Access and Participation plans that explain what they will do and how much money they will spend.

Part of their tuition fees goes to these efforts. You can see how much a university puts aside with the ‘Access’ rank on Unifrog’s UK Universities tool.

Some universities also offer programmes to help underrepresented students. Here are some examples:

Access to Birmingham Scheme (University of Birmingham)

• Helps students with little or no experience of higher education.
• Gives practice interviews, financial aid (up to £3,500 per year), and lower grade requirements (BBB instead of AAB).

Foundation Oxford (University of Oxford)

• A one-year, fully-funded course for underrepresented students.
• Lower entry requirements (BBB instead of AAA).

Access Manchester Year (University of Manchester)

• Helps Year 12 and 13 students from underrepresented backgrounds.
• Offers lower grade requirements, application advice, and academic support.
• You can find more programmes like these on Unifrog’s Special Opportunities tool. 

How can Access and Participation help you?

If you’re from an underrepresented group, some universities may already have support for you. Contact Student Services at the uni you’re considering. They can explain what help is available and connect you with the right support.

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