At Winchester, we recognise that many of our students may come from backgrounds that make them more likely to be at risk of equality of opportunity. For example:  

• 40+ % are the first-in-family to attend higher education and may be more likely to face imposter syndrome and less likely to access networks to support them into graduate employment.  
• 30+ % are eligible for student finance come from low-income households (under £25k) making them more likely to face financial hardship during their studies.  
• 26+ % have a declared disability, with over 8% declaring a mental health condition, making them less likely to earn as much as their peers in their lifetime. 
• 21+ % are from the most deprived neighbourhoods with lower rates of access, success and progression.
• 11+% are from non-white backgrounds and may be less likely to receive a ‘good honours’ degree or progress onto graduate employment than their white peers.

The University is committed to ‘Our Vision for Transformational Education’ as outlined in our new Strategic Plan (2023-2028).  

The Access and Participation Plan is fundamentally guided by our strategic vision, deeply rooted in our original mission and purpose ‘To educate, serve the common good and advance knowledge’, guided by our reimagined values ‘love of learning, individual and shared endeavour, and making a difference’, and driven by the importance of people, place and partnerships.

We have identified a series of strategic aims to ensure equity in access and participation, as outlined below.

Access

• OUTREACH: To work with local communities to increase the low rates of pre-16 attainment and access into universities.
• RECRUITMENT: To improve our recruitment and admissions activity to ensure equity of access onto our courses.
• DIVERSITY OF PATHWAYS: To provide flexible and alternative pathways for progression to university that support the local skills gaps.

Success (on-course)

• INCLUSION AND BELONGING: To create an inclusive learning and teaching environment that enhances transition, provides a ‘sense of belonging’ and enables students to reach their potential.
• MENTAL HEALTH AND WELLBEING: To ensure the university environment and experience supports the maintenance of good mental health and wellbeing for students to actively engage in their studies.
• FINANCIAL SUPPORT: To provide support to students impacted by increased cost pressures that affect their ability to complete their course or obtain a good degree.
• CLOSE AWARDING GAPS: To address gaps in degree outcomes via targeted academic and pastoral support interventions.

Progression (further study and graduate employment)

• EMPLOYABILITY: To embed employability within the curriculum and provide targeted initiatives to support students less likely to progress to further study or graduate employment.

The University continues to work in partnership with a range of agencies and organisations to achieve its widening participation goals, including (but not exclusively):

• Winchester Student Union and our student body.
• Partner colleges and schools
• Employers
• Hampshire Children’s Services and other local authorities
• Other universities
• Voluntary sector agencies

We consider our students as key partners in our activity to widen access and participation.

We value the benefits of working collaboratively and are proud to be associated with the following groups and networks:

• Action on Access
• The Higher Education Access Tracker (HEAT)
• The National Network for the Education of Care Leavers (NNECL)
• National Educational Opportunities Network (NEON)
• The Service Children’s Progression (SCiP) Alliance
• The Southern Universities Network (SUN)
• Hampshire Universities Together – Sanctuary Network
  
  
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We are proud to have been awarded the following acknowledgements in recognition of our commitment to widening access and participation, equality and diversity, social justice and impact:

• Armed Forces Convenant Employer Recognition Scheme (Bronze Award)
• National Education Opportunities Network (NEON) commendations in the 2019 Awards for HE Institution of the Year and Partnership of the Year
• Social Enterprise Gold Mark
• Stonewall Diversity Champion
• Teaching Excellence Framework (Silver)
• Times Higher Education Awards, Widening Participation of Outreach Initiative of the Year (Winner, 2016)