University of Wales Trinity Saint David 2019 / 20 Fee and Access Plan - Uwtsd

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University of Wales Trinity Saint David
2019 / 20 Fee and Access Plan
Fee and Access Plan 2019/20:
Focus and Contents

1. Executive summary                                                    3

2. How Our Plan Was Developed                                           4

    2.1 Our strategy for investing fees                                 4

    2.2 Lessons Learnt                                                  5

    2.3 The Student Voice                                               5

3. Our Under-Represented Groups                                         7

    3.1 Part-time learners                                              7

    3.2 Mature part-time learners                                       7

    3.3 Welsh learners from deprived areas                              7

    3.4 Learners in receipt of the Disabled Students’ Allowance (DSA)   7

    3.5 Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) learners                8

    3.6 Learners studying through the medium of Welsh                   8

    3.7 Other hard to reach groups                                      8

4. Our Objectives                                                       9

    4.1 Putting Learners First                                          9

    4.2 Excellence in Teaching, Scholarship and Applied Research        12

    4.3 Creation of Opportunities through Partnerships                  13

    4.4 A University for Wales                                          15

5. Financial Support for Our Learners                                   16

6. How Our Plan Will Be Monitored                                       17

                                                                   2
1. Executive summary

The Mission of the University of Wales Trinity Saint David is                 The total amount of fee income to be invested in the achievement
Transforming Education; Transforming Lives. The UWTSD Group,                  of our key Fee and Access Plan objectives will be £14,079,600 to be
which includes Coleg Sir Gâr and Coleg Ceredigion, provides further           apportioned as follows:
and higher education from 17 campuses across South West Wales,
as well as in Cardiff, London and Birmingham, providing unrivalled            Equality of opportunity: £7,112,826
opportunities to promote social and economic mobility, to widen               Promotion of higher education: £6,966,774
access, and to support learners from all backgrounds during all
stages of their education.                                                    The University is committed to delivering services that are compliant
                                                                              with consumer protection legislation, in line with the guidance
This Fee and Access Plan sets out our strategy for investing the fees         to higher education providers published by the Competition and
we receive in 2019/20 in support of the equality of opportunity and           Markets Authority. Tuition fee arrangements for 2019/20 onwards
the promotion of higher education that are fundamental to our                 have not been confirmed by the Welsh Government. This means that
Mission. The Plan focuses on key objectives linked to our four                the tuition fees for learners commencing their               studies
                                                                                                                                     University     in 2019/20
                                                                                                                                                of Wales           may David
                                                                                                                                                           Trinity Saint
Strategic Priorities:                                                         increase.    Thisis increase
                                                                              The University       committedwould    be inflation-linked,
                                                                                                            to delivering                     as permitted
                                                                                                                          services that are compliant         by theprotection
                                                                                                                                                      with consumer
                                                                              Welsh    Government.
                                                                              legislation,  in line with the guidance to higher education providers published by the
                                                                              Competition and Markets Authority. Tuition fee arrangements  University offorWales
                                                                                                                                                           2019/20Trinity
                                                                                                                                                                    onwardsSaint  David
                                                                                                                                                                                have  not
    • Putting learners first                                                  been confirmed by the Welsh Government. This means that the tuition fees for learners
                                                                              We
                                                                              The  will  inform
                                                                                   University         all applicants
                                                                                                 is committed             and
                                                                                                                  to delivering learner   of
                                                                                                                                services thatthe  fee  levels
                                                                                                                                              are compliant    for
                                                                                                                                                             with  2019/20
                                                                                                                                                                  consumer
                                                                              commencing their studies in 2019/20 may increase. This increase would be inflation-linked, as
                                                                                                                                                                             protection
    • Excellence in teaching, scholarship and applied research                legislation,   in line with the increases
                                                                                                                     guidance to
                                                                              and    any by
                                                                              permitted    inflation-linked
                                                                                              the Welsh Government.              forhigher   education
                                                                                                                                     successive     yearsproviders
                                                                                                                                                            of studypublished
                                                                                                                                                                       as soonby the
    • Creation of opportunities through partnerships                          Competition and Markets Authority. Tuition fee arrangements for 2019/20 onwards have not
                                                                              as confirmation is received from Welsh Government. In the meantime,
                                                                              been confirmed by the Welsh Government. This means that the tuition fees for learners
                                                                              We will inform
                                                                              based     on the   all applicants    and learner of the fee levels  for 2019/20 and fees
                                                                                                                                                                    any inflation-linked
    • A University for Wales                                                  commencing       theirlatest  available
                                                                                                      studies  in 2019/20information,      the annual
                                                                                                                            may increase. This  increase tuition          that
                                                                                                                                                           would be inflation-linked, as
                                                                              increases for successive years of study as soon as confirmation is received from Welsh
                                                                              we   intend
                                                                              permitted       to
                                                                                          by the   charge     our
                                                                                                   Welsh Government. new   and   continuing     Home     and   EU  full-time
                                                                              Government. In the meantime, based on the latest available information, the annual tuition fees
The targets set out in the Plan are based on our analysis of learner          undergraduate
                                                                              that we intend to charge learners  ourinnew
                                                                                                                       2019/20     are as follows:
                                                                                                                            and continuing   Home and EU full-time undergraduate
                                                                              We will inform all applicants and learner of the fee levels for 2019/20 and any inflation-linked
enrolment, retention and achievement data for the UWTSD Group                 learners in 2019/20 are as follows:
                                                                              increases for successive years of study as soon as confirmation is received from Welsh
and for higher education in Wales more generally. As a result of              Government. In the meantime, based on the latest available information, the annual tuition fees
                                                                                    Programme of Study                                                                 Fee
that analysis, we have chosen to focus our targets on increasing              that we intend to charge our new and continuing Home and EU full-time undergraduate
                                                                                    Cert HE (STEM)                                                                     £7,000
participation and removing barriers to study for the following under-         learners in 2019/20 are as follows:
                                                                                    Cert HE                                                                            £9,000
represented groups:                                                                 HND                                                                                £9,000
                                                                                    Programme        of Study                                                         Fee
                                                                                    Foundation
                                                                                    Cert  HE (STEM) Degree                                                             £9,000
                                                                                                                                                                      £7,000
    • Part-time learners                                                            Undergraduate
                                                                                    Cert  HE             Degrees                                                       £9,000
                                                                                                                                                                      £9,000
                                                                                    Sandwich Year (year in industry)                                                   £1,800
    • Mature part-time learners                                                     HND                                                                               £9,000
                                                                                    Integrated Masters                                                                 £9,000
                                                                                    Foundation Degree                                                                 £9,000
    • Welsh learners from deprived areas                                            PGCE
                                                                                    Undergraduate Degrees
                                                                                                                                                                       £9,000
                                                                                                                                                                      £9,000
    • Learners in receipt of the Disabled Students’ Allowance (DSA)                 Sandwich      Year   (year  in industry)
                                                                              Taking account of these fees, average fees per full-time undergraduate will be:         £1,800
                                                                                    Integrated Masters                                                                £9,000
    • Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) learners                        TakingPGCEaccount of these fees, average fees per full-time                             £9,000
                                                                                    Full-time undergraduates                                                           £8,980
    • Learners studying through the medium of Welsh                           undergraduate will be:
                                                                                   Full-time PGCE (QTS)                                                    £9,000
                                                                              Taking account of these fees, average fees per full-time undergraduate will be:

Our Students’ Union has made the following statement in                       2     Full-time
                                                                                    How   Our undergraduates
                                                                                               Plan Was Developed                                             £8,980
support of the Plan:                                                                Full-time PGCE (QTS)                                                      £9,000
                                                                                     Our strategy for investing fees
                                                                               The provision of a high quality experience for our learners is at the heart of the University’s
    ‘The Students’ Union would like to thank the University for its           2Mission:
                                                                                    How Transforming
                                                                                          Our Plan WasEducation;
                                                                                                           DevelopedTransforming Lives. The UWTSD Group, which includes
    approach in developing this Fee and Access Plan. We have been              Coleg Sir Gâr and Coleg Ceredigion, provides further and higher education from 17 campuses
                                                                                     Our strategy for investing fees
    fully consulted as part of this process and are pleased to endorse         across South West Wales, as well as in Cardiff, London and Birmingham, providing unrivalled
                                                                              The provision of a high quality experience for our learners is at the heart of the University’s
                                                                               opportunities to promote social and economic mobility, to widen access, and to support
    this document. We feel particularly strongly about the widening           Mission: Transforming Education; Transforming Lives. The UWTSD Group, which includes
                                                                               learners from all backgrounds during all stages of their education. We also work in partnership
    access elements contained in this plan and are looking forward to         Coleg Sir Gâr and Coleg Ceredigion, provides further and higher education from 17 campuses
                                                                               with three Welsh further education colleges outside the UWTSD Group to provide additional
    working with the University to achieve its targets, to widen access       across South West Wales, as well as in Cardiff, London and Birmingham, providing unrivalled
                                                                               opportunities for communities to access higher education. This Fee and Access Plan sets out
                                                                              opportunities to promote social and economic mobility, to widen access, and to support
    to higher education and enable learners to succeed.’                       our strategy for investing the fees we receive in 2019/20 in support of the equality of
                                                                              learners from all backgrounds during all stages of their education. We also work in partnership
    Rob Simkins, TSDSU Group President                                         opportunity and the promotion of higher education that are fundamental to our Mission.
                                                                              with three Welsh further education colleges outside the UWTSD Group to provide additional
                                                                              opportunities for communities to access higher education. This Fee and Access Plan sets out
                                                                               The University’s Strategic Plan 2017-2022 defines our direction of travel, and confirms our
                                                                              our strategy for investing the fees we receive in 2019/20 in support of the equality of
                                                                               commitment to our learners and specifically to Wales – to its culture, heritage and language,
                                                                              opportunity and the promotion of higher education that are fundamental to our Mission.
                                                                               and to the prosperity and long-term health of its citizens. We recognise our local, national,
                                                                               international and civic role as a provider of higher education, and the responsibilities that we
                                                                              The University’s Strategic Plan 2017-2022 defines our direction of travel, and confirms our
                                                                               bear. As a reflect of this commitment, we have placed the seven goals and five ways of working
                                                                              commitment to our learners and specifically to Wales – to its culture, heritage and language,
                                                                              and to the prosperity and long-term health of its citizens. We recognise our local, national,
                                                                              international and civic role as a provider of higher
                                                                                                                                 4 education, and the responsibilities that we
                                                                              bear. As a reflect of this commitment, we have placed the seven goals and five ways of working

                                                                                                                                    4

                                                                          3
2. How Our Plan Was Developed

2.1 Our strategy for investing fees

The provision of a high quality experience for our learners is at              The Strategic Plan is underpinned by a number of sub-strategies,
the heart of the University’s Mission: Transforming Education;                 each seeking to deliver the targets and aspirations of the Strategic
Transforming Lives. The UWTSD Group, which includes Coleg Sir Gâr              Plan. Of particular relevance to the Fee and Access Plan are the
and Coleg Ceredigion, provides further and higher education from 17            Widening Access and Community Engagement Strategy; the
campuses across South West Wales, as well as in Cardiff, London and            Learning, Teaching and Enhancement Strategy; the Welsh-medium
Birmingham, providing unrivalled opportunities to promote social               and Bilingual Education Strategy; the Retention Strategy; the
and economic mobility, to widen access, and to support learners from           Employment and Employability Strategy; the Strategic Equality
all backgrounds during all stages of their education. We also work in          Plan; and Faculty Strategic Plans.
partnership with three Welsh further education colleges outside the
UWTSD Group to provide additional opportunities for communities                This Fee and Access Plan sets out our strategy for investing the fees
to access higher education. This Fee and Access Plan sets out our              we receive in 2019/20 in support of the equality of opportunity and
strategy for investing the fees we receive in 2019/20 in support of the        the promotion of higher education that are fundamental to our
equality of opportunity and the promotion of higher education that             Mission. Over the last two years we have worked hard to achieve a
are fundamental to our Mission.                                                greater alignment between our Strategic Plan, sub-strategies and
                                                                               other institutional developments. The values and priorities of our
The University’s Strategic Plan 2017-2022 defines our direction of             Strategic Plan are therefore directly reflected in the Fee and Access
travel, and confirms our commitment to our learners and specifically           Plan, and relevant objectives (set out in Section 4) are common
to Wales – to its culture, heritage and language, and to the prosperity        to both plans. The objectives are, in turn, aligned with the Welsh
and long-term health of its citizens. We recognise our local, national,        Government categories of expenditure. Similarly, the majority of our
international and civic role as a provider of higher education, and the        targets are deliberately common to both the Strategic Plan and the
responsibilities that we bear. As a reflect of this commitment, we have        Fee and Access Plan, amplified or modified where appropriate to
placed the seven goals and five ways of working of the Well-Being of           reflect the student voice1 and our evaluation of the success of
Future Generations (Wales) Act 2015 at the core of our planning, and           previous investment strategies.
have ensured that our own aspirations are closely aligned with those
expressed by the Welsh Government in Taking Wales Forward 2016-21.             Our investment is proportionally allocated to the targets that we
                                                                               are seeking to deliver based on our Strategic Plan and analysis of
The Strategic Plan articulates a range of values that underpin the way         our learner population. The work undertaken to meet these targets
we work, including:                                                            includes literature and awareness-raising activities that will take place
                                                                               to support our learners and raise aspirations for potential learners
    • Excellent teaching informed by scholarship and professional              from under-represented groups; for example the production of
    practice, and applied research that influences knowledge and               employment-linked opportunities, information for specific groups
    policy in Wales and beyond.                                                that are under-represented in education; attendance at events
    • Inclusivity, by removing barriers to participation and                   aimed at promoting higher education as a life choice and to increase
    supporting people from all backgrounds and circumstances                   employment options, and publicity relating to institutional initiatives
    to fulfil their potential.                                                 such as Life Design, student engagement fora and support groups.
                                                                               Our 18 targets are equally distributed under the headings of ‘equality
    • Employability and creativity, by offering educational
                                                                               of opportunity’ and ‘promotion of higher education’. Within these
    programmes that develop entrepreneurial and creative
                                                                               headings they are matched to categories defined by the Welsh
    skills, enabling learners to have the best opportunities to
                                                                               Government so that it is clear which objective they seek to achieve.
    gain employment and to contribute to the prosperity of
                                                                               There is a slightly higher financial allocation to equality of opportunity
    their communities.
                                                                               than promotion of higher education in 2019/20 as a result of the
    • Wales and its distinctiveness, through embedding the goals               inclusion of funding to support Reaching Wider.
    of the Well-Being of Future Generations (Wales) Act in all of our
    activities, and by celebrating the vibrant culture, heritage and
    language of Wales.

These values are reflected in our four Strategic Priorities for 2017-22:
    • Putting learners first
    • Excellence in teaching, scholarship and applied research
    • Creation of opportunities through partnerships
    • A University for Wales                                                                                           1
                                                                                                                           The terms ‘learner’ and ‘student’ are
                                                                                                                           used synonymously within this Fee
                                                                                                                                               and Access Plan.

                                                                           4
2.2 Lessons Learnt

Central to UWTSD’s planning processes is the consideration of national         have been removed,3 although we have continued to include targets
and regional developments. In developing our Fee and Access Plan               in some areas of achievement for the reasons given in Section 3 below.
for 2019/20 we have considered a number of national and regional
reports including the Hazelkorn Review and subsequent consultations            However we have yet to achieve full success in meeting our targets
on post-compulsory education and training, the Diamond Review, the             in some areas. For example, although we have been successful in
Welsh Statement for Higher Education, and the Welsh Government                 increasing the percentage of Welsh-domiciled learners from areas
action plan for education in Wales. Consideration has also been                of deprivation, our numbers in 2016/17 fell short of our Fee and
given to the Academic Plan of the Coleg Cymraeg Cenedlaethol and               Access Plan target (performance: 1,560, target: 1,602). Our efforts
the South West and Mid Wales Regional Employment and Skills                    to attract part-time learners have yet to result in achievement of
Plan 2017, as well as the priorities and action plan of the South West         our target (performance: 2,823, target: 4,100). The proportion of our
Wales Reaching Wider initiative. Higher Education Academy (HEA)                full-time undergraduate learners who were no longer in education
publications such as Rising to the Challenges of Tomorrow and the              a year following entry has increased, but we have narrowly missed
Horizon Scanning Reports have provided a wider UK perspective on               our target (performance: 12.32%, target: 12%). Similarly, although
contemporary developments in teaching and learning to meet the                 we have exceeded our targets for the number of learners studying
needs of today’s (and the future) workforce.                                   at least 5 credits of their higher education programme through the
                                                                               medium of Welsh (performance: 2,380, target: 2,080), we recognise
The University’s approach to fee and access planning has evolved               that further action is needed to increase the numbers studying 40
considerably in the last two years, reflecting the implementation of           credits through the medium of Welsh (performance: 466, target:
more streamlined systems for strategic and financial planning across           850). We have also exceeded our target for the proportion of our
the UWTSD Group. In developing our Fee and Access Plan 2019/20, we             graduates in employment, studying or both 6 months after graduation
have paid careful attention to the feedback, both generic and specific,        (performance: 95.6%, target: 93%), but we recognise that achievement
that we have received from HEFCW on previous plans. We have also               of targets in relation to highly skilled employment (performance:
compared the content, design and presentation of our plans against             64.52%, target: 69.3%) will be an area of continuing focus for us. As a
those of other institutions in Wales. Our approach to self-evaluation of       result, these areas remain as priorities within our Fee and Access Plan
previous Fee and Access Plans has included in-year monitoring of the           for 2019/20.
delivery of objectives and targets. The evaluation process is led by the
Policy and Planning team, which works closely with the lead officers           2.3 The Student Voice
for each target to ensure that progress is measured and recorded
accurately, and that there is appropriate challenge if a target has            Consistent with the principles of Wise Wales, and as reflected in our
not been met. The completion of the Annual Monitoring Statement,               Student Charter, the University is committed to working in partnership
evidencing institutional performance against approved targets, has             with its learners and the Students’ Union to provide a high quality
been closely scrutinised by the Corporate Policy Committee and the             learning experience. The principles pf the Wise Wales Partnership for
University Council’s Strategy and Resources Committee, allowing                Higher Education in Wales are embedded in our Student Charter and
reflection and informing future strategy.                                      in our Academic Quality Handbook.4 Since the inception of fee and
                                                                               access planning, we have explored a number of models for ensuring
A key learning activity has been ensuring that our targets are SMART.          that the student voice is an integral part of the development of plans
The majority are now quantitative and use published data that links            and the associated investment strategies. Student engagement
directly to National Performance Indicators or Welsh Government                and representation strategies are now well embedded across the
priorities. We believe that this approach makes our planning and               University and, through the Students’ Union, learners are represented
delivery process more robust, and allows for a greater level of scrutiny       on the University Council (two members) and are in attendance
and challenge by key stakeholders, including learners, governors               at its Strategy and Resources Committee through the Students’
and HEFCW. In designing our targets, we benchmark ourselves                    Union Group President. They are also represented on the Senate
internally and we also use sector averages and other external                  (the senior academic body) and the majority of its committees. A
benchmarks in Wales and across the UK, such as those published                 decision by Senate in summer 2016 to permit sabbatical officers to
through the Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF). We recognise that             be accompanied by a Students’ Union staff member (normally the
fee planning is an iterative process and we consult with our faculties         Chief Executive) at academic committee meetings has provided for
and professional services, in addition to the Students’ Union, to gain         greater continuity of approach and has supported the sabbatical
assurances that the commitments and targets set out are achievable.            officers in making informed and influential contributions to decisions.
For the Fee and Access Plan 2019/20, we have also consulted the Coleg          In a further key change introduced in 2017/18, there is also a student
Cymraeg Cenedlaethol about our proposed Welsh-medium targets.                  member of the new Corporate Policy Committee, which oversees the
                                                                               operational aspects of fee and access planning.
The evaluation of our success in meeting the targets of previous fee
plans2 indicates that we have achieved targets in a range of areas. We
have, for example, been successful in encouraging participation in
outward study abroad opportunities (performance: 54, target 55) and                                    The targets cited in this section relate to the Fee Plan
                                                                                                          2

targeting such opportunities to learners from areas of deprivation                                  2016/17, for which an Annual Monitoring Statement has
(performance: 10, target 7). We have exceeded our benchmark for                                                                     recently been completed.
the proportion of full-time undergraduates in receipt of the Disabled
Students’ Allowance (DSA) by an exceptional margin (performance:                                      3
                                                                                                        In addition, targets relating to teacher training will no
18.2%, target 8.8%). Our target to support and increase the number                                longer feature in our Fee and Access Plans, but will instead
of graduate business start-ups has been exceeded by some margin                                 be reported direct to the Department of Education. We have
(performance: 75, target: 50). These achievements have influenced our                             also removed several targets that were specific to previous
target-setting for the Fee and Access Plan 2019/20 and some targets                             years (for example, achievement of Stonewall accreditation).

                                                                           5
Through the Student Experience Department and working in                     The Students’ Union has made the following statement in support of
partnership with the Students’ Union, the University has made                the Plan:
considerable efforts to achieve optimum participation in student
satisfaction surveys, and to ensure that the outcomes of such                    ‘The Students’ Union would like to thank the University for its
surveys are used systematically to target areas for improvement                  approach in developing this Fee and Access Plan. We have been
and investment. A similar approach is taken to other methods of                  fully consulted as part of this process and are pleased to endorse
gathering feedback, with an increased focus on one-to-one learner                this document. We feel particularly strongly about the widening
engagement. The latter is undertaken via termly ‘feedback fortnights’            access elements contained in this plan and are looking forward to
where personalised feedback opportunities and interaction with a                 working with the University to achieve its targets, to widen access
variety of University staff members allow learners greater opportunity           to higher education and enable learners to succeed.’
for involvement in decision-making, as well as a sense of ownership              Rob Simkins, TSDSU Group President
of the direction of the University’s work. Survey data is also used
to target areas and focus groups to further explore issues and plan
solutions with learners. With the agreement of the Students’ Union,
and in the light of the wide geographical spread of our campuses,
the development of our Fee and Access Plan for 2019/20 has focused
on the feedback obtained through these mechanisms, together
with focused discussions with elected student representatives and
between the Policy and Planning team and the sabbatical officers of
the Students’ Union. Members of the Policy and Planning team have
also visited the London campus with the Students’ Union to seek
the views of London-based learners. Actions such as, for example, a
further review of the bursaries and scholarships package, are being
taken in response.

In November 2016 the Students’ Union produced its first annual
Academic Quality Report for consideration by the Senate. The report,
which won the NUS Education Award in March 2017, focused on the
theme of financial costs of study and prompted a range of actions by
the University, including a review of (and subsequent amendment
to) its current bursary package, the introduction of targeted support
in specific subject areas, and the production of more comprehensive
information about costs. Work continues in a range of areas and a
Senate review of progress will take place in May 2018.

To inform this Fee and Access Plan, we have also gathered information
from our further education partners, primarily through the reports of
the University’s Partnership Team Leaders (who meet learners as part
of their remit to oversee individual programmes offered at partner

institutions) and through the various learner voice mechanisms,
including surveys, that operate within individual institutions.
The work of the Partnership Team Leaders provides the University
with a continuous source of information about the learner
experience at partner institutions and, potentially, about any
barriers to participation that learners face. The development of our
Fee and Access Plan for 2019/20 has focused on the feedback
obtained through these mechanisms, and actions relating to, for
example, enhancing the higher education experience, have been
created in response. The Students’ Union is also in the process of
implementing a more systematic approach to engaging with
learners on franchised programmes.

We recognise that more can be done to enhance learner engagement
with the fee planning process as a continuing (rather than annual)
activity and welcome the recent publication of HEFCW guidance on
this matter.

                                                                                                                4
                                                                                                                  Academic Quality Handbook 2017/18
                                                                                                                    Chapter 12: Student Representation,
                                                                                                                Engagement and Support. For 2018/19,
                                                                                                                 a revised version of this chapter will be
                                                                                                                            Chapter 5 in the Handbook.

                                                                         6
3. Our Under-Represented Groups
                                                          University of Wales Trinity Saint David
process of implementing a more systematic approach to engaging with learners on franchised
programmes.

We recognise that more can be done to enhance learner engagement with the fee planning
process as a continuing (rather than annual) activity and welcome the recent publication of
HEFCW guidance on this matter.
To inform the setting of targets for our Fee and Access Plan 2019/20,                                   – and continue to feature - in key researchUniversity   and policy   documents,
                                                                                                                                                                         of Wales   Trinity Saint David
The Students’ Union has made the following statement in support of the Plan:
we have undertaken an analysis of learner enrolment, retention and                                      including Towards 2030: A Framework for Building a World-Class
                                                                                                             Proportion of full-time
achievement
     ‘The Students’data
                      Unionforwould
                                the UWTSD        Group
                                      like to thank        and for for
                                                     the University   higher    education
                                                                         its approach          in
                                                                                        in developing   post-Compulsory
                                                                                                      this                     Education
                                                                                                             undergraduate learners     that System for Wales, the Welsh Government
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          and Access      Plan.This    analysis
                                 We have      beenhas
                                                    fullyconfirmed
                                                           consulted as sixpart
                                                                             groups
                                                                                of thisthat  are and are
                                                                                         process             areStatement
                                                                                                        Policy   over 21 in 2016/17
                                                                                                                               on Higher Education and Universities UK’s The
               to endorse this document. We feel particularly strongly about the widening UWTSD                                        62%
bothpleased
       currently
     access          under-represented
              elements     contained in this planwithinand the
                                                             are UWTSD       Grouptoand
                                                                  looking forward           the with the
                                                                                         working        power    of part-time. Supporting
                                                                                                             Wales Average             44%
                                                                                                                                                   our mature learners by identifying
focus   of national
     University         andits
                 to achieve    sectoral    priorities.
                                 targets, to  widen accessOurtotargets     seek to increase
                                                                  higher education   and enable learnerstheirUKlearning
                                                                                                                 Average needs and45%   life commitments will continue to be a key
     to succeed.’ Rob Simkins, TSDSU Group President
participation      of learners in these groups by identifying barriers to                               priority for us.
                                                                                                        The proportion of mature part-time learners at UWTSD is in line with the average of all Welsh
success    and   continuing
3 Our Under-Represented Groups    to  develop     and     provide    targeted     support.              higher education institutions (HEIs) but is, however, below the UK average as a whole:
The   investment
To inform  the settingtoofsupport
                            targets forthis  activity
                                         our Fee         (equality
                                                 and Access      Plan of opportunity)
                                                                      2019/20,              is
                                                                                 we have undertaken     3.3 Welsh learners from deprived areas
                                                                                                       an
analysis of learner enrolment, retention and achievement data for the UWTSD Group and for Proportion of part-time
£7,112,826.
higher education in Wales more generally. This analysis has confirmed six groups that are undergraduate learners that
both currently under-represented within the UWTSD Group and the focus of national and
                                                                                                        The are
                                                                                                             proportion
                                                                                                                 over 21 inof  Welsh learners who live in areas of deprivation (i.e.
                                                                                                                             2016/17
3.1   Part-time       learners                                                                          the  UWTSD quintile of Lower
                                                                                                             bottom                    85% Super Output Areas in the Welsh Index
sectoral priorities. Our targets seek to increase participation of learners in these groups by
                                                                                                             Wales Average             85%
identifying barriers to success and continuing to develop and provide targeted support. The             of Multiple
                                                                                                             UK AverageDeprivation or     in Communities First cluster areas or in
                                                                                                                                       90.5%
investment
A            to support
   significant            this activity
                  proportion            (equality ofHome
                                   of UWTSD’s         opportunity)
                                                              5
                                                                andisEU£7,112,826
                                                                          undergraduate                 Communities First areas) studying at UWTSD has increased over the
                                                                                                        We recognise that attracting and retaining mature learners continues to be a priority for the
learners    study part-time. The UWTSD Group recruits a higher
       Part-time learners
                                                                                                        three year period 2013/14 to 2016/17. In the 2016/17 academic year,
                                                                                                        Welsh Government: recommendations for the encouragement and support of mature learners
percentage       of Home
A significant proportion    of and   EU undergraduate
                               UWTSD’s                           part-time learners
                                            Home5 and EU undergraduate                                  21.5%
                                                                                learners study part-time.
                                                                                                        have     of all Welsh
                                                                                                              featured          learnersto at
                                                                                                                        – and continue         UWTSD
                                                                                                                                            feature       were
                                                                                                                                                     - in key    from areas
                                                                                                                                                              research        of deprivation.
                                                                                                                                                                       and policy documents, including
than   both the
The UWTSD           Welsh
                Group         anda UK
                        recruits    higheraverages:
                                             percentage of Home and EU undergraduate part-time          We recognise,
                                                                                                        Towards   2030: A however,
                                                                                                                           Framework that     this group
                                                                                                                                       for Building         continues
                                                                                                                                                     a World-Class      to be under-
                                                                                                                                                                    post-Compulsory  Education System
learners than both the Welsh and UK averages:                                                           for Wales, the Welsh    Government     Policy Statement   on Higher  Education
                                                                                                        represented      in Welsh   higher education        as a whole,  and   that ourandownUniversities
                                                                                                        UK’s The power of part-time. Supporting our mature learners by identifying their learning
      Proportion of Home and EU                                                                         percentage      of learners   within   this  category     declined  in 2016/17.    Our
                                                                                                        needs and life commitments will continue to be a key priority for us.
      undergraduates that are                                                                           activities seek to raise aspirations for learners and, crucially, to detect
      part-time in 2016/17
      UWTSD                        31%
                                                                                                        barriers
                                                                                                              Welshand  challenges
                                                                                                                      learners         at an early
                                                                                                                                from deprived    areasstage to implement appropriate
      Wales Average                28.4%                                                                support
                                                                                                        The        mechanisms.
                                                                                                             proportion  of Welsh learners who live in areas of deprivation (i.e. the bottom quintile of
     UK Average                   20.6%                                                                      Lower Super Output Areas in the Welsh Index of Multiple Deprivation or in Communities First
                                                                                                             cluster areas or in Communities First areas) studying at UWTSD has increased over the three
However, the number of part-time learners has steady declined over the period 2013/14 to                     3.4 Learners in receipt of the Disabled Students’
                                                                                                             year period 2013/14 to 2016/17. In the 2016/17 academic year, 21.5% of all Welsh learners
However,
2016/17, both the   number
                 within          of part-time
                         the UWTSD       Group and  learners    hassector
                                                       across the    steady       declined
                                                                             in Wales.    Recruiting part-time    Allowance
                                                                                                             at UWTSD    were from(DSA)
                                                                                                                                     areas of deprivation. We recognise, however, that this group continues
learners,
over   theand    supporting
            period            themto
                        2013/14       to 2016/17,
                                         achieve their    full within
                                                       both    potential,the
                                                                           is fundamental
                                                                               UWTSD Group     to our Mission,
                                                                                                             to be under-represented in Welsh higher education as a whole, and that our own percentage
and we will continue to provide focused support for them through this Fee and Access Plan.of learners within this category declined in 2016/17. Our activities seek to raise aspirations for
and   across the sector in Wales. Recruiting part-time learners, and                                         We are fully committed to removing perceived barriers to higher
                                                                                                             learners and, crucially, to detect barriers and challenges at an early stage to implement
supporting       them     to achieve
       Mature part-time learners          their    full potential,   is   fundamental         to  our        education for learners who require additional support and we have
                                                                                                             appropriate support mechanisms.
Mission,
We are proudandofwe  ourwill  continue
                         record  in relationtotoprovide     focused(i.e.
                                                  ‘mature’ learners       support
                                                                             those over forthe
                                                                                            them             invested significantly in providing the tools to enable such learners
                                                                                                age of 21) and
the proportion
through     this ofFee
                     Homeandand  EU full-time
                               Access     Plan.  undergraduate learners in this category at UWTSD to         is reach their full potential. This is a key area of strength for the
                                                                                                                   Learners in receipt of the Disabled Students’ Allowance (DSA)
substantially higher than the Welsh and UK averages:
                                                                                                             UWTSD
                                                                                                             We         Group,
                                                                                                                 are fully        and to
                                                                                                                           committed   over   the three
                                                                                                                                          removing         yearbarriers
                                                                                                                                                     perceived    periodto2013/14      to 2016/17,
                                                                                                                                                                            higher education    for learners who
                                                                                                             require additional support and we have invested significantly in providing the tools to enable
3.2 Mature part-time learners                                                                                we have increased the percentage of full-time first degree learners
                                                                                                             such learners to reach their full potential. This is a key area of strength for the UWTSD Group,
    5                                                                                                        that receive DSA to levels that are significantly higher than the Welsh
      Home is defined as those whose normal residence prior to commencing their programme of study was in and over the three year period 2013/14 to 2016/17, we have increased the percentage of full-
We are proud of our record in relation to ‘mature’ learners (i.e. those
    the UK, and for the purposes of analysis includes Guernsey, Jersey and   the Isle of Man.                andfirst
                                                                                                             time  UKdegree
                                                                                                                       averages:
                                                                                                                               learners that receive DSA to levels that are significantly higher than the Welsh
over the age of 21) and the proportion of Home and EU full-time                                              and UK averages:
undergraduate learners in this category9 at UWTSD is substantially
                                                                                                              Proportion of full-time first
higher than the Welsh and UK averages:                                                                        degree learners that receive
                                                          University of Wales Trinity Saint David             DSA in 2016/17
                                                                                                              UWTSD                   18.2%
     Proportion of full-time                                                                                  Wales Average           11.3%
     undergraduate learners that                                                                              UK Average              7.9%
     are over 21 in 2016/17                               University of Wales Trinity Saint David
     UWTSD                      62%
     Proportion
     Wales Averageof full-time 44%
     undergraduate     learners45%that                                                                                                                     10
     UK Average
     are over 21 in 2016/17
     UWTSD of mature part-time
The proportion                  62% learners at UWTSD is in line with the average of all Welsh
TheWales
higher      Average
     proportion
       education     of mature
                  institutions  44% part-time
                               (HEIs)               learners
                                         but is, however,     at UWTSD
                                                           below              is in line
                                                                   the UK average     as awith
                                                                                            whole:
     UK Average                 45%
the average of all Welsh higher education institutions (HEIs) but is,
     Proportion of part-time
however,
The         below
    proportion        the
                of mature
     undergraduate         UK   average
                            part-time
                       learners   thatlearnersas aatwhole:
                                                      UWTSD is in line with the average of all Welsh
higher education
     are over 21 institutions
                  in 2016/17 (HEIs) but is, however, below the UK average as a whole:
     UWTSD                      85%
     Proportion
     Wales Averageof part-time 85%
     undergraduate
     UK Average        learners   that
                                90.5%
     are over 21 in 2016/17
     UWTSD that attracting and
We recognise                    85%retaining mature learners continues to be a priority for the
WelshWales  Average recommendations
       Government:              85%          for the encouragement and support of mature learners                                                               Home is defined as those whose
                                                                                                                                                                5
     UK Average                 90.5%
have featured – and continue to feature - in key research and policy documents, including                                                               normal residence prior to commencing
Towards
We       2030:that
    recognise    A Framework     for Building
                     attracting and    retaininga mature
                                                   World-Class   post-Compulsory
                                                          learners   continues to be  Education
                                                                                        a prioritySystem
                                                                                                    for the                                            their programme of study was in the UK,
for Wales, the Welsh     Government Policy        Statement  on Higher     Education ofand   Universities
We recognise
Welsh  Government:that   attracting andforretaining
                      recommendations            the        mature
                                                     encouragement      learners
                                                                       and  supportcontinues
                                                                                        mature    learners
                                                                                                                                                       and for the purposes of analysis includes
UK’s featured
have  The power    of part-time.
                – and              Supporting   - our  mature  learners   by identifying   their including
                                                                                                  learning
to be and
needs  a priority   forcontinue
                         the Welsh
           life commitments
                                   to feature     in key
                                         Government:     research    and policy
                                                   be a keyrecommendations
                                                                                  documents,
                                                                                       for                                                                 Guernsey, Jersey and the Isle of Man.
Towards  2030:   A Frameworkwill for continue
                                      Building to           priority
                                                a World-Class         for us.
                                                                 post-Compulsory     Education System
the encouragement and support of mature learners have featured
for Wales, the Welsh Government Policy Statement on Higher Education and Universities
       Welsh
UK’s The      learners
           power         from deprived
                    of part-time.         areasour mature learners by identifying their learning
                                  Supporting
The proportion
needs            of Welsh learners
       and life commitments           who livetoinbeareas
                               will continue         a keyofpriority
                                                             deprivation                          7 of
                                                                     for us.(i.e. the bottom quintile
Lower Super Output Areas in the Welsh Index of Multiple Deprivation or in Communities First
clusterWelsh
        areas learners
               or in Communities   First areas)
                         from deprived    areasstudying at UWTSD has increased over the three
Although the proportion of our learners in receipt of DSA is significant, 3.7 Other hard to reach groups
we acknowledge that that disabled learners are recognised sector-
wide as a hard to reach group. Continuing to provide a responsive and                                 In addition to those identified above, we also recognise other under-
supportive environment to meet their needs and to enable them to                                      represented groups in higher education including those:
complete their studies successfully is an important element of this Fee
and Access Plan.                                           University of Wales Trinity Saint David         • Living in workless households
                                                                                                           • Experiencing ‘in work poverty’
Disclosure
Although  the of  mentalofhealth
               proportion              difficulties
                              our learners   in receiptbyofstudents      has shown
                                                             DSA is significant,        year on that • Seeking asylum
                                                                                   we acknowledge
that disabled learners are recognised sector-wide as a hard to reach group. Continuing to
year increases from 2013/14 to 2016/17. Although our participation
provide a responsive and supportive environment to meet their needs and to enable them to
                                                                                                           • Receiving an Educational Maintenance Allowance (EMA)
rate is consistent
complete  their studieswith   Wales and
                         successfully   is an UK    averages,
                                               important         weofrecognise
                                                           element      this Fee andthat
                                                                                      Access Plan.         • Being eligible for free school meals
participation levels remain comparativelyUniversity         low in theofsector
                                                                            Wales and     that
                                                                                    Trinity Saint David    • Being the first in their family to enter higher education
Disclosure of mental health difficulties by students has shown year on year increases from
supporttofor
2013/14         learners
            2016/17.        in this
                       Although   ourcategory
                                      participation israte
                                                       a key   area of focus
                                                           is consistent         for the
                                                                          with Wales  and UK averages,     • Acting as carers
NUS
we     andtheWelsh
Although
    recognise         Government.
               proportion
               that participation  levels We
                           of our learners   in seek
                                                receipt
                                           remain       toofencourage
                                                             DSA is low
                                                    comparatively         indisclosure
                                                                     significant,         and
                                                                                   we acknowledge
                                                                            the sector  and         that
                                                                                            that support   • Having a care background
that disabled learners are recognised sector-wide as a hard to reach group. Continuing to
participation
for               through
    learners in this categoryour
                               is a target
                                     key areato ofincrease     DSA-funded
                                                   focus for the  NUS and Welsh  mental
                                                                                     Government. We
provide a responsive and supportive environment to meet their needs and to enable them to                  • Being estranged from their families
seek
healthto encourage
complete support.     disclosure
          their studies            and is
                         successfully    participation
                                           an important  through
                                                           elementour
                                                                    of target  to and
                                                                        this Fee  increase
                                                                                      AccessDSA-funded
                                                                                              Plan.        • Having a background of criminal convictions
mental health support.
Disclosure of mental health difficulties by students has shown year on year increases from
      Proportion
2013/14            of first
         to 2016/17.         degree
                       Although                                                                  Specific action to promote higher education opportunities and
                                   our participation rate is consistent with Wales and UK averages,
      studentsthat
we recognise     disclosing    Mental
                    participation                                                                equality of opportunity for such groups are not linked to specific
                                    levels remain comparatively low in the sector and that support
      Health in
for learners  difficulties  in 2016/17
                this category   is a key area of focus for the NUS and Welsh Government. We
      UWTSD                       3.3%                                                           targets in this Fee and Access Plan. However, our widening access and
seek to encourage disclosure and participation through our target to increase DSA-funded
      Wales Average               3.3%                                                           Reaching Wider activity, and other engagement opportunities, will
mental health support.
      UK Average                  3.1%                                                           continue to focus on these areas, and we will continue to ensure that
      Proportion of first degree                                                                                   our student services provision meets the needs of individual learners
    students
3.5 Black,   disclosing
            Asian
     Black, Asian  and
                  and   Mental
                        Minority
                      Minority     Ethnic
                               Ethnic     (BAME)
                                      (BAME) learnerslearners                                                      within these groups.
      Health
We enrol     difficulties
           higher         in Home
                   levels of  2016/17 and EU full-time undergraduate black, Asian and minority
ethnicUWTSD
        (BAME) learners than the 3.3% Welsh average, but we recognise that further opportunities
We enrol
exist Wales higher    levels
             Average the
      to understand            of3.3%
                          diverse  Home    andfaced
                                    challenges  EU full-time    undergraduate
                                                      by this group and to provideblack,
                                                                                   targeted and
      UK Average
appropriate                      3.1%will enable us to move closer to the UK average:
Asian    andsupport.
              minority This, in turn,
                          ethnic    (BAME) learners than the Welsh average,
but Proportion
      we recognise      that further opportunities exist to understand the
                   of undergraduates
diverse Black,
      that      Asian
                BAMEand
            challenges
            are            Minority
                       in faced
                          2016/17byEthnic   (BAME)
                                     this group     learners
                                                  and  to provide targeted and
We enrol
      UWTSD higher levels of Home
                               13.3%and EU full-time undergraduate black, Asian and minority
appropriate
ethnic   (BAME)
      Wales
                 support.   This,
                 learners than the
              Average
                                  in
                                   Welsh average, but weus
                               10.6%
                                      turn, will enable      to movethat
                                                           recognise  closer
                                                                         furthertoopportunities
                                                                                   the
UK average:
exist  to understand
      UK   Average the diverse    challenges faced by this group and to provide targeted and
                               23.0%
appropriate support. This, in turn, will enable us to move closer to the UK average:
Analysis of degree attainment data for Home and EU full-time first degree learners clearly
shows  Proportion      of undergraduates
          that attainment     gaps exist for BAME learners across the sector, including at UWTSD.
       that are BAME
The University              in 2016/17
                    is working     hard to provide enhanced opportunities for BAME learners to
study, progress and achieve. 13.3%
       UWTSD
       Wales    Average
         Learners studying through     10.6%the medium of Welsh
We are UK committed
            Average to supporting      23.0%the Welsh Government’s vision of reaching a million Welsh
speakers by 2050. HEFCW has set a target of having 5,600 learners studying at least 5 credits
Analysis    of  degree    attainment
of their course through the medium of    data  forWelsh
                                                  Homeby    and  EU full-time
                                                              2016/17,          first degree
                                                                          and 3,030            learners
                                                                                        learners  studyingclearly
                                                                                                             at least
 Analysis
shows     thatof   degreegaps
                attainment     attainment        data for
                                      exist for BAME          Home
                                                         learners        and
                                                                     across    EUsector,
                                                                             the     full-time    first
                                                                                           including   at UWTSD.
40 credits in Welsh. In 2016/17, UWTSD Group delivered 43% of the target for Welsh HEIs
The
 degreeUniversity   is
             learners  working
                           clearly hard  to provide   enhanced      opportunities    for BAME    learners   to
for  learners
study,          studying
          progress          5 creditsshows
                      and achieve.      throughthat     attainment
                                                  the medium              gaps
                                                                   of Welsh,  andexist    for BAME
                                                                                     delivered  15% of the Welsh
 learners
HEI    target across
         Learners        the sector,
               for 40studying
                        credits.   The     including
                                        number
                                   through     theof       at UWTSD.
                                                      learners
                                                   medium          WelshThe
                                                                ofchoosing        University
                                                                             to study             is programme
                                                                                         part of their
 working
through
We         thehard
                medium
      are committed    totoof
                           provide
                              Welsh has,
                             supporting  enhanced
                                            the  Welsh opportunities
                                              however,                         forand
                                                          fluctuated. Thisvision
                                                          Government’s       Fee     BAME     learners
                                                                                         Access
                                                                                     of reaching  Plan  reflects
                                                                                                   a million      our
                                                                                                              Welsh
continuingbycommitment
speakers         2050. HEFCW     to encouraging
                                     has            andofsupporting
                                          set a target      having 5,600 thelearners
                                                                             participation   of new
                                                                                        studying       and5existing
                                                                                                  at least    credits
 to study, progress           and     achieve.
learners
of          to follow
    their course        part orthe
                    through       allmedium
                                     of their programme
                                               of Welsh byof     study through
                                                              2016/17,    and 3,030the medium
                                                                                        learners of  Welsh.atThis
                                                                                                  studying         is
                                                                                                                least
a key
40       part of
     credits  in our   strategic
                  Welsh.           commitment
                            In 2016/17,     UWTSD  to the
                                                       Groupculture  of Wales
                                                                delivered   43% more    generally.
                                                                                    of the target for Welsh HEIs
 3.6learners
for    Learners        studying
                studying    5 creditsthrough
                                        through thethe      medium
                                                       medium              of Welsh
                                                                   of Welsh,  and delivered 15% of the Welsh
HEI target for 40 credits. The number of learners choosing to study part of their programme
through
 We arethe      medium of Welsh
             committed                 has, however,
                                to supporting        thefluctuated.     This Fee and Access
                                                            Welsh Government’s              visionPlanofreflects our
continuing commitment to encouraging and supporting the participation of new and existing
 reaching a million Welsh speakers by 2050. HEFCW has set a target
learners to follow part or all of their programme of study through the medium of Welsh. This is
aofkey
     having
         part of5,600     learners
                  our strategic         studying
                                   commitment          at least
                                                   to the    11 5 of
                                                            culture   credits
                                                                        Wales ofmore their  course
                                                                                        generally.
through the medium of Welsh by 2016/17, and 3,030 learners studying
at least 40 credits in Welsh. In 2016/17, UWTSD Group delivered 43%
of the target for Welsh HEIs for learners studying 5 credits through
the medium of Welsh, and delivered 15% of the Welsh HEI target for
40 credits. The number of learners choosing
                                          11   to study part of their
programme through the medium of Welsh has, however, fluctuated.
This Fee and Access Plan reflects our continuing commitment to
encouraging and supporting the participation of new and existing
learners to follow part or all of their programme of study through the
medium of Welsh. This is a key part of our strategic commitment to
the culture of Wales more generally.

                                                                                                               8
•     Being estranged from their families
                                                                    •     Having a background of criminal convictions

                                                                Specific action to promote higher education opportunities and equality of opportunity for such
                                                                groups are not linked to specific targets in this Fee and Access Plan. However, our widening
                                                                access and Reaching Wider activity, and other engagement opportunities, will continue to
                                                                focus on these areas, and we will continue to ensure that our student services provision meets
                                                                the needs of individual learners within these groups.

                                                                4   Our Objectives

4. Our Objectives                                                     Putting Learners First
                                                                The learner is central to the UWTSD Group and our commitment to providing an excellent
                                                                learning experience is at the heart of our activities. We believe that education changes lives
                                                                and, working in partnership with the Students’ Union, we are committed to supporting learners
                                                                to achieve their potential within learning environments that are welcoming, inclusive,
                                                                supportive and secure. Our Fee and Access Plan is designed to support delivery of this aspect
                                                                of our strategic direction.

                                                                Our objectives are as follows:

4.1 Putting Learners First                                                                                         Welsh Government Investment
                                                                        UWTSD objectives
                                                                                                                   Categories
The learner is central to the UWTSD Group and our commitment    To provide all of our learners with a high    a2 attract and retain students and potential
                                                                quality, supportive and inclusive learning        students from under-represented groups;
to providing an excellent learning experience is at the heart   experience to enable them to achieve          a4 support and increase retention, progression
of our activities. We believe that education changes lives      their full potential.                             and completion, particularly people from
and, working in partnership with the Students’ Union, we are                                                      low participation neighbourhoods, looked
committed to supporting learners to achieve their potential                                                       after children, care leavers and carers;
                                                                                                              a5 improve the higher education experience
within learning environments that are welcoming, inclusive,                                                       for groups under-represented in higher
supportive and secure. Our Fee and Access Plan is designed to                                                     education;
                                                                                                                     University of Wales Trinity Saint David
support delivery of this aspect of our strategic direction.                                                   a7 provide high quality academic and welfare
                                                                                                                   Welsh Government
                                                                                                                  support                Investment
                                                                                                                           to groups under-represented    in
                                                                        UWTSD objectives
                                                                                                                   Categories
                                                                                                                  higher  education
Our objectives are as follows:                                                                                b2 improve the quality of learning and
                                                                                                                  teaching, with reference to the quality of
                                                                                                                  the student experience;
                                                                                                              b6 raise awareness of the value of higher
                                                                                                                12
                                                                                                                  education to potential students;
                                                                To work in partnership with our learners to   a4 support and increase retention, progression
                                                                encourage their full engagement with their        and completion, particularly people from
                                                                programmes of study and their full                low participation neighbourhoods, looked
                                                                participation in our decision-making              after children, care leavers and carers;
                                                                processes.                                    a7 provide high quality academic and welfare
                                                                                                                  support to groups under-represented in
                                                                                                                  higher education;
                                                                                                              b2 improve the quality of learning and
                                                                                                                  teaching, with reference to the quality of
                                                                                                                  the student experience.
                                                                To continue to develop our portfolio of       a1 promote and safeguard fair access to
                                                                programmes that are delivered flexibly,           higher education, including identifying
                                                                allowing learners to access study                 individuals with the greatest potential from
                                                                opportunities in a manner that suits their        under-represented groups;
                                                                lifestyle and commitments.                    a2 attract and retain students and potential
                                                                                                                  students from under-represented groups;
                                                                                                              a3 raise the educational aspirations and skills
                                                                                                                  of people from under-represented groups
                                                                                                                  to support success in higher education;
                                                                                                              a4 support and increase retention, progression
                                                                                                                  and completion, particularly people from
                                                                                                                  low participation neighbourhoods, looked
                                                                                                                  after children, care leavers and carers;
                                                                To contribute to the creation of a more       a1 promote and safeguard fair access to
                                                                equal Wales through the promotion of              higher education, including identifying
                                                                participation   by     under-represented          individuals with the greatest potential from
                                                                groups, by providing accessible learning          under-represented groups;
                                                                opportunities and by removing barriers to     a2 attract and retain students and potential
                                                                participation, ensuring that those who            students from under-represented groups;
                                                                choose to study with us are provided with     a3 raise the educational aspirations and skills
                                                                                                                  of people from under-represented groups
                                                                excellent support throughout their period
                                                                                                                  to support success in higher education;
                                                                of study.                                     a4 support and increase retention, progression
                                                                                                                  and completion, particularly people from
                                                                                                                  low participation neighbourhoods, looked
                                                                                                                  after children, care leavers and carers;
                                                                                                              a7 provide high quality academic and welfare
                                                                                                                  support to groups under-represented in
                                                                                                                  higher education;
                                                                                                              a9 contribute to Reaching Wider Partnerships.

                                                                                                                13

                                                                    9
In order to deliver these objectives In order to deliver these                  We take pride in providing education to the highest number of
objectives during 2019/20, we will:                                             care leavers in the Welsh higher rducation sector6, recognising the
                                                                                particular challenges faced and supporting them to achieve their
    • Work closely with schools, partners and community groups to               potential through study. We will maintain a comprehensive support
    build confidence, raise aspirations and increase participation of           package for care leavers in higher education, including providing
    potential learners from under-represented and hard to reach                 a designated staff contact, a care leavers’ bursary of up to £1,000
    geographical and income groups.                                             (total of £40,000 allocated), and offering year-round campus-based
    • Deliver innovative and flexible courses of study that are                 accommodation if required. Termly meetings are held to discuss
    developed in partnership with industry and professional                     support and provision for care leavers, with participation from the
    accrediting bodies, that allow learners to study part-time and              Students’ Union and the Reaching Wider Officer. As part of our current
    are attractive to employers.                                                Reaching Wider action plan, we will continue to deliver the BeThe#1
                                                                                campaign: previous activities have included a series of short films with
    • Enhance our learning centres at key strategic locations aimed
                                                                                current learner and graduates of the University aimed at raising the
    at widening access for learners from BAME communities.
                                                                                aspirations of ‘Looked After Children’; current activity includes training
    • Provide a competitive bursary and scholarships package that               sessions with social workers and foster carers. We will also continue
    targets areas of under-representation and hard to reach groups.             to attend the Welsh HEI Care Leavers Network (CLASS Cymru) as a
    • Respond agilely to anticipated changes to the learner support             means of sharing best practice across the sector, and to contribute
    system, introduced as part of the Diamond Review, aimed at                  to the Further and Higher Education Guide for young people in and
    opening educational opportunities to learners who find the cost             leaving care in Wales, produced by the South West Wales Reaching
    of study prohibitive.                                                       Wider Partnership. We are contributing to the development of a new
    • Ensure that our student support services at all learning centres          Reaching Wider Strategy for our region, aligned to HEFCW guidance,
    provide specific, targeted support to meet the needs of learners            and will be allocating the required proportion of our tuition fee
    from under-represented groups.                                              income for 2019/20 to Reaching Wider activities.

                                                                                As a key means of widening access, we have identified opportunities
    • Identify groups that are most likely to leave higher education
                                                                                to expand the delivery of our Certificate of Higher Education (CertHE)
    so that we can tailor learner support accordingly, and ensure
                                                                                in Skills for the Workplace programme. This programme was originally
    that learners are able to access available financial, welfare and
                                                                                delivered at community locations in South Wales and, subsequently,
    tutorial support.
                                                                                at our London campus. Following market research, we have identified
    • Continue to foster inclusive learner environments.                        Cardiff and Birmingham as additional learning centres and work
    • Deliver our Strategic Equality Plan and work closely with the             has been undertaken to develop closer relationships with specific
    Students’ Union to fully support NUS campaigns centred on                   communities in those locations, focusing on raising awareness of
    protected characteristics, and mental health and wellbeing.                 the opportunities that are available. The programme is proving to
                                                                                be successful in encouraging participation from BAME and mature
Our close work with schools, partners and community groups seeks to             learners, and has enabled us to diversify our learner profile: around
raise aspirations and increase participation of potential learners from         84% of learners currently studying for the CertHE in London and
under-represented geographical and income groups. Our faculties,                Birmingham are BAME and 98% are mature. The programme provides
schools liaison and widening access teams will continue to deliver              learners with a recognised qualification but also with a progression
innovative, educational and aspiration-raising engagement, including            route to further study at Levels 5 and 6, and we will provide the
the continuation of activities such as Girls into ICT, Arts after Dark,         support necessary to enable all learners, at locations in Wales and
Poetry in Motion, and the 6th form conference in Lampeter.                      elsewhere in the UK, to complete their programme of choice and
                                                                                to achieve their aspirations. We will continue to develop and offer
We will support learners through a competitive bursary and                      innovative programmes such as this: a companion CertHE in Health
scholarship package. At a national level, it is anticipated that the            and Social Care will be delivered and we are exploring opportunities
introduction of the new support system, following the Diamond                   to establish integrated foundation programmes in the Humanities.
Review, will open educational opportunities to learners who would               We will also explore opportunities to deliver more programmes, such
otherwise have found costs prohibitive, and we will act swiftly to              as a BSc in Mental Health, in community locations and to expand our
ensure that such opportunities are publicised and that we are able              flexible provision in Early Years Education.
to support potential learners to access the financial support that
is available.                                                                   The UWTSD Group is committed to removing barriers to participation
                                                                                and creating inclusive learning environments, and we are proud of
Our activity is set against a national trend of falling part-time study         our achievement in having significantly increased the percentage
numbers, and our learner numbers have not increased. It is hoped                of full-time first degree learners that receive DSA. We will continue
that, on a broader level, the introduction of maintenance loans for             to enhance our processes for assessing the specific requirements of
part-time learners, alongside the tuition fee grant, childcare grant and        individual learners to ensure that, where a disclosure has been made
other financial assistant packages, will make higher education a more           in advance, the resources needed are provided at the start of their
attractive and realistic option for aspiring part-time learners.                programmes of study. An area of declared disability that has shown
                                                                                year on year increases from 2013/14 to 2016/17 is mental health. We
We recognise that part-time learners continue to face a range of                work closely with learners to help them manage their difficulties and
challenges to participation, including the scheduling of caring and             coordinate the range of support available both within the University
work responsibilities around teaching and learning activities. In               and in the wider community. Fee and Access Plan funding has already
response to learner feedback, our targeted provision will continue to           enabled us to increase the number of mental health support workers
include bursaries for childcare and part-time study costs. We will also         across our campuses, and we will continue to provide one to one
provide comprehensive support packages for young adult carers.                  support, drop-in sessions, and training for staff. We will also provide

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