Access and Widening Participation

The University has a major and strategic commitment to Widening Participation within its student population and seeks both to "confront inequality" and "celebrate diversity." We are proud of our long tradition of seeking a more inclusive society through a commitment to diversity in our students.

We recruit more students from groups under-represented in Higher Education than the average University, but we do not just leave it there, as crucially we have very high success rates for our students as they progress through courses. This is because we care for you through your studies and seek to make our curriculum appropriate to student need.

We also actively seek to help students progress into employment. We have some of the highest employment ratios for students on graduation due to the nature of our courses, with their strong affinity to the world of work and the highly specialised support we are able to offer our students.

See our Reports on Widening Participation at the University of Bradford

(pdfs, will open in a new window):

• Latest Report (2004-2005)
• 2003-2004

This commitment of the University has been recognised in a number of ways nationally and internationally. We are at the forefront of the Government's introduction of the new qualification, the Foundation Degree. Bradford is amongst the first select group of Universities that will be able to award this new qualification. This initiative is undoubtedly due to our reputation as an innovative, leading edge and caring University.

Students in Bradford come from all walks of life and we seek to ensure that this continues to be the case. We have developed a strategic policy of "achieving equity" amongst our student population. This has been developed through close collaboration with our students and other stakeholders. This policy commits the University to certain targets, which we have deliberately set ambitiously high. Most importantly, we have planned this across all aspects of University life and we will be regularly reviewing the policy and its impact.

Being a student at Bradford carries with it a responsibility, as well as an opportunity. Many of our students have decided to use their student experience to put something back into the community by working with local schools to provide examples of what can be achieved. So, Bradford offers an opportunity but also asks for a commitment.

We hope that, whatever your background, you will consider continuing your education as this really can widen your horizons. Do come and visit us so you can get a feel of what the University is like and talk to current students or ring us to find out more about the courses we offer. Also have a look at the University's Access and Widening Participation pages for further information.

We wish you luck whatever path you take.

Professor Geoff Layer
Pro-Vice-Chancellor for Learning and Teaching

22 March 2006