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Inclusive approach to PGR admissions

Background

The EDEPI project seeks to tackle inequality at scale by framing PGR admissions in the context of the competencies required to successfully undertake PGR study, reducing over-reliance on narrower measures related to degree classification and previous degree-awarding institution.

Last year, the EDEPI project, in partnership with the UK Council for Graduate Education, carried out a comprehensive survey to explore current PGR admissions practices. Based on the analysis of this study, ten barriers in the PGR admissions process for individuals who were from racially-minoritised groups were identified.

One key barrier was the use by some supervisors of applicants’ Master’s degrees and the degree-awarding institution as the main assessment criteria. This was considered a potential barrier to access for some individuals from racially-minoritised groups because of systemic inequalities in access to higher-tariff universities, attainment gaps at undergraduate level, and unequal access to loans for postgraduate study.

The EDEPI Competency-Based Admissions Framework has been developed following the UKCGE study, focus groups, and consultation with the wider sector.

If you would like to use this framework in your own institution, please contact edepi@ntu.ac.uk.

Fostering Inclusive Doctoral Admissions through A Community of Practice

Building on the EDEPI Competency-Based Admissions Framework, three UK institutions engaged as case studies, piloting new approaches to evaluating applicants beyond conventional academic metrics.

Find out more through our case studies

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Further information

Equity in Doctoral Education through Partnership and Innovation (EDEPI)

Equity in Doctoral Education through Partnership and Innovation is a project which aims to increase participation of Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic groups in doctoral education.

Work package one (WP1): Rethinking our approach to postgraduate researcher recruitment

Working with NHS partners across Nottingham, Sheffield and Liverpool, WP1 involves the delivery of workshops to de-mystify PhD study, and support NHS staff from racially minoritised groups through the process of applying for a part-time PhD.

Work package three (WP3): Creating a more inclusive research culture

WP3 delivers a series of workshops to support the creation of a more inclusive research culture, and positively impact on the retention, progression, and wellbeing of postgraduate researchers from racially minoritised groups.