Widening Participation
Built for opportunity
At University of the Built Environment we believe that higher education should be accessible to everyone, regardless of their background or circumstances. Our Widening Participation Strategy is dedicated to breaking down barriers and creating opportunities for students from underrepresented groups to achieve their full potential.
We recognise that we have a role to play in Widening Participation and have specific targets and objectives to address this. These are embedded in our Widening Participation Strategy and Access and Participation Plan.
Who we support
We focus on supporting students who may face additional challenges in accessing higher education, including:
- Students with declared disabilities and mental health conditions
- Care experienced students
- Mature learners
- Students who identify as female
Our Activities
We offer a range of programs and initiatives designed to support our widening participation objectives, including:
Student Officers
Our Outreach and Inclusion team works with our Student Officers so we can hear from as many student voices and their lived experiences as possible. We use their feedback to improve as an institution to be more inclusive as well as inform future Access and Participation plans. This year the University’s Student Officers represent Inclusion, Social Mobility, Disability and Mental Health, Women and Mature Learners. If you would like to get involved with or speak to our Student Officers, please email outreachandinclusion@ube.ac.uk.
Female Networking Group
A virtual networking group for the University’s students who identify as female, meeting throughout the academic year to share their experiences of studying and working in the built environment. This group aims to foster a sense of community, provide encouragement, and promote collaboration.
Access Courses
The University works with a wide range of students, providing access courses for those needing a route into higher education, accessible programmes for those in the military and services veterans, as well as our apprenticeship, undergraduate and postgraduate programmes.
Financial Support Fund
The University Financial Support Fund contributes to relieving severe or unexpected financial hardship which impacts on a student’s participation in their studies at the University and to help them continue or successfully complete their studies.
SilverCloud
SilverCloud is an easy to access online suite based on concepts of Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), there are a number of programmes you can pick from including ‘Space from Stress’, ‘Space from Money Worries’ and ‘Space for Sleep’ to help you improve and maintain your wellbeing.
Evaluation reports
As part of our commitment to Widening Participation, we commit to sharing the evaluation of our key activities, including those within our Access and Participation Plan.
Contact Us
If you have any questions or would like to learn more about our Widening Participation activities please contact outreachandinclusion@ube.ac.uk