University of Staffordshire believes in connecting talent with opportunity and transforming lives through education. That’s why our Access and Participation Plan (APP) is so important.
It focuses on how we make higher education accessible for everyone, from working with local schools to developing inclusive teaching and offering the right support to our students.
Our latest Access and Participation Plan
Our latest APP covers the academic years 2024/25 to 2027/28:
Why our plan is needed
The APP outlines the steps we are taking to promote social inclusion and support under-represented groups. The scale of the challenge remains significant.
Our figures show just 22.7% of 18-year-olds from Stoke-on-Trent, and 28.4% from wider Staffordshire, entered higher education in 2021-22. There are also low access and attainment rates for students from some ethnic minorities, particularly those from black and Asian backgrounds compared to their white peers.
By improving equality of opportunity, we want to ensure students can access, succeed in, and progress from higher education.
Our APP priorities and actions
To help our plan reach a wider audience, University of Staffordshire commissioned BA (Hons) Cartoon and Comic Arts students to illustrate the APP's four key strands. They’ve come up with some brilliant creative approaches – and have put students at the heart of what we’re doing.
This is the first year of delivery for our latest APP. The comics below outline the different activities in each strand of our APP, and the impact they’ve had on our students, staff and wider community in the first year.
Transforming Access
Many of our students are the first generation in their families to experience higher education. We are determined to raise young people’s aspirations and to address the HE access gap in disadvantaged communities.
One of our projects has involved a Children’s University partnership with 21 schools. The pupils have been introduced to a university environment, with a range of extra-curricular activities, and have then celebrated their ‘graduation’ on campus.
Download the Transforming Access comic (PDF, 596KB)
Transcript of Transforming Access
University isn’t the right path for everyone - and that’s okay. But everyone deserves the chance to be supported and to make an informed choice about their future.
We want to support their journey so far and encourage their hopes and ambitions.
For some students, the journey to higher education isn’t obvious or straightforward. They may find themselves wondering:
- What is university life like?
- What do I need to do to get there?
- I’m the first in my family to attend—would university even benefit me?
They may see university as something other people get to do, but not them. Is university something I should even aspire to in the first place?
We believe the answer is YES! And we’re here to support young people on the road to their university experience.
We provide key information, advice, and guidance to help students see the value of higher education and build their confidence.
We also support with revision skills workshops, uplifting students in developing academic skills. We help them prepare for examinations, apply for university, and thrive in a university environment.
But university isn’t all about studying.
To make it feel less daunting, we also work with the National Saturday Club (including our very own Comic Arts Studio!).
We encourage participation in extracurriculars—just like societies at university—linking students to new activities.
Within this programme, students meet pupils from other schools in the region, attend workshops hosted in real university studios, and showcase their work in London. We then host a ‘graduation’ to celebrate their achievements!
These programmes have seen real success over the years. They aim to give students the information and skills necessary to make decisions about their futures.
Impact:
- Students are more aware of pathways, especially creative fields.
- Students report greater confidence—personally and academically.
- Students who may not have considered university before now see higher education as accessible.
Access is about enabling and empowering young people to take control of their futures - people who now join our thriving community and make it better than ever!
Transforming Transitions
Students need targeted support at different points in their university journey - from taking that initial step through to moving into graduate employment.
Programmes have included our Step Up to Higher Education short course, which has helped adults gain the skills and confidence to progress onto degree-level work. For many Step Up students, the experience has been life-changing.
Download the Transforming Transitions comic (PDF, 504KB)
Transcript of Transforming Transitions
THIS IS IT!
But… what if I don’t fit in?
I’m the first in my family to attend university.
I wasn’t very good at learning.
Do I belong here?
This is scary.
How will I balance studying with daily life?
Maybe I’m not smart enough to be here.
Step Up to Higher Education
We’ve got your back!
Let’s ease those worries.
My First Essay
Brainstorm… What are you going to do?
Community Connections: Meeting at the Gurdwara
Wait, isn’t she a student too?
“Hey, I’m Alex.”
“Nice to meet you. I’m Zara.”
This feels like home!
What we learned
Step Up to HE:
- 60 sessions, 55 participating students.
- The program enhanced academic skills, increased confidence in pursuing higher education, and fostered a sense of belonging at the university.
- Last year, 80% of participants (48 out of 60) successfully progressed to an undergraduate degree.
Student feedback:
- “No question was ever seen as ‘stupid.’ Every question was treated with respect and answered with care.”
FE to HE programme:
- Delivered across two schools; survey of 28 students showed slight improvement in academic readiness for university.
- Confidence and aspirations varied among students.
- Activities included enhancing resilience, self-belief, and holistic modules, preparing students for university life and providing information about available support.
Student feedback:
- “As someone with anxiety, the calm, supportive approach encouraged me to try new things for my mental well-being.”
Community Connections Programme
- Events organised throughout the academic year based on students’ diverse cultural and religious needs.
- Aims to support community engagement, increase students’ sense of belonging, and provide support through social and cultural exchanges.
- A better understanding of its impact will be available in October.
Student Reflection:
- “On the first day, I felt like a fish out of water. But our tutor, Ashley, brought everyone together, ensuring no one was left standing alone.”
Transforming Our Curriculum
To help students achieve their academic potential, we want them to feel more actively engaged in their learning and have a sense of belonging.
For one APP activity, we have developed more inclusive teaching practices by training tutors, with the aim to help both neurodiverse students and those from racially diverse backgrounds.
Download the Transforming Our Curriculum comic (PDF, 1070KB)
Transcript of Transforming Our Curriculum
How can we make learning more inclusive and relevant for all students?
Curriculum and teaching have changed drastically over the years.
Technology has advanced, and students have grown more diverse.
New subjects introduced over time:
- Illustration
- Games Design
- Digital Marketing
…and many more for diverse learners.
Now teamed up with videos, simulations, online platforms, and more, the curriculum has evolved to meet modern needs.
Student Perspective:
“I have ADHD, so discussions are a great learning format for me.”
Transforming our curriculum strand:
- Helps staff reflect on their teaching.
- Removes barriers to support students.
- Promotes inclusive teaching where all backgrounds are celebrated.
- Gives students the potential to succeed in their academic journeys.
Key initiatives
Microplacements: Paid work experience
- 31 paid microplacements delivered between January and June across Stoke-on-Trent and London campuses.
- Opportunities included machine learning, psychology, games development, and more.
- Surveys show the programme may:
- Increase awareness and confidence to participate in friendships and internships.
- Enhance confidence to articulate personal strengths.
- Improve employability skills.
Ethnicity Degree Awarding Gap (EDAG) toolkit
- 12 introductory sessions ran across the academic year.
- Focused on racial equity and the Ethnicity Degree Awarding Gap app.
- The gap refers to the difference in the rate of students from diverse backgrounds compared to their white peers who receive a “good degree outcome” (a 2:1 or above).
Inclusive Pedagogy Programme
- Supports staff in creating inclusive learning environments.
What have we learned?
Picture this:
A student leaving home to go to university, breaking barriers to higher education with the help of staff.
Impact:
- Builds confidence for tutors and students.
- Creates a friendlier classroom community where everyone feels welcome.
- Prepares students to be employed and add value to local communities.
- Promotes belonging, empowerment, and readiness for what’s next.
Learn more. Believe more. Achieve more.
That’s the gist of it!
Transforming Student Support
To ensure students are effectively supported, we are exploring lots of initiatives. This includes redesigning our student support services to create one “front door” for students to access the help they need.
We have also been looking at using direct funds to meet students’ needs. This has included the Student Success Fund, which supports those experiencing financial hardship, along with extra help for care leavers and the provision of dyslexia assessments and equipment.
Download the Transforming Student Support comic (PDF, 1070KB)
Transcript of Transforming Student Support
Hi! Welcome!
I’m Cass, your guide to student support.
My job is to help you:
- Get in contact with student support
- Understand what it can do for you
- Learn what student support is in the app
This is no small task, so I’ve got help from someone you know…
The Beacon Bots!
Grab your phone or laptop and enjoy.
What Student Support can help with
Student support can assist you with a wide range of things, such as:
- Health and Wellbeing
- Support for students with disabilities
- Assistance and mentorship
- Help with schoolwork through online student support
You can visit Student support for more details.
Introducing SOLVE
SOLVE is not only used by students but also by teachers.
It’s your one-stop shop to access what you need, like:
- Laptop loans
- Support with other equipment
You can contact SOLVE for assistance between:
- 8:30 AM – 5:00 PM (Mon–Thu)
- Until 4:30 PM on Fridays
More information about Solve
Why does this matter?
You might be wondering: “What’s the point in this?”
We want you to succeed in your course and enjoy your time at university.
We’re opening the door - all you need to do is walk through.
Our goal:
- Make sure your university experience is enjoyable
- Ensure you have access to everything the university offers
Final tips from Cass and the Beacon Bots
- Stay safe
- Reach out
- Have fun
- Download the Beacon App
The Beacon Bot can answer most common questions and queries.
Our next steps
The latest Access and Participation Plan covers the 2024-25 to 2027-28 academic cycle. In 2024-25 we recruited and trained a team of student research and evaluation assistants, who helped us to track the progress of our interventions in their first year.
One of the priorities of the Office for Students – the HE regulator – is to build up an evidence base of what works. Our findings will feed into that national conversation around what universities can do to widen access and participation.