Introductory description

This module explores issues within widening participation policy and practice in higher education. It analyses the relationships between education and social mobility to develop an understanding of the different stages of the student lifecycle approach to widening participation (recruitment, retention, progression and lifelong learning). It considers the relationship between meritocracy and education and how widening participation policy and practice impacts on different social groups in the UK and in selected global case studies.

Module aims

Outline syllabus

This is an indicative module outline only to give an indication of the sort of topics that may be covered. Actual sessions held may differ.

Widening Participation in Higher Education
Meritocracy and Educational (In)Equality in Schools
University Outreach and Recruitment
Theoretical Perspectives on Widening Participation
Study skills and essay writing
Contextual Data and University Admissions
Marketisation of Higher Education
Higher Education as Transformative Learning
Retention and Progression
Widening Participation and Gender
Widening Participation and Race
Disability in Higher Education:
The Politics of Care
Lifelong Learning
Global perspectives I - Widening Participation in the USA
Global perspectives II - Widening Participation in India and South Africa
Rethinking Widening Participation Policies

Learning outcomes

By the end of the module, students should be able to:

• Explore issues within widening participation policy and practice in higher education.
• Analyse the relationships between education and social mobility.
• Develop an understanding of the different stages of the student lifecycle approach to widening participation.
• Consider how widening participation policy and practice impacts on different social groups (particularly by race and gender).
• Assess contemporary government debates on widening participation.

Indicative reading list

Reading lists can be found in Talis

Specific reading list for the module

Subject specific skills

Demonstrate a critical understanding of key issues that shape and inform widening participation policies and practices in UK higher education.
Demonstrate a systematic and critical understanding of key aspects relevant to this particular field of study, including acquisition of detailed knowledge informed by the defined aspects of the discipline.
Demonstrate a critical appreciation of the uncertainty, ambiguity and limits of knowledge.
Demonstrate an ability to apply methods and techniques learned in order to review, consolidate and apply knowledge and understanding.

Transferable skills

Demonstrate an ability to deploy techniques of analysis within this particular discipline.
Demonstrate an ability to solve problems, using ideas and techniques at the forefront of this particular discipline, and to comment upon aspects of current research.
Demonstrate an ability to make use of scholarly reviews and primary sources, including research articles appropriate to the discipline.
Demonstrate an ability to critically evaluate arguments, make judgements, and frame appropriate questions in order to achieve a solution to a particular problem.
Demonstrate an ability to communicate information, ideas, problems and solutions to both specialist and non-specialist audiences.
Demonstrate the qualities and transferable skills necessary for employment requiring the exercise of initiative and personal responsibility and also the learning ability needed to undertake further training of a professional nature.
Demonstrate their ability to present complex ideas in both written and oral form.