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Access and participation plan

Access and participation plans set out how higher education providers will improve equality of opportunity for underrepresented groups to access, succeed in and progress from higher education.

Byron student union

The NTU access and participation plan 2020-25, the summary version, and the Office for Students fee summary provide information about expected fee income from home/EU students and about the University's plans for using a proportion of that Higher Fee Income (HFI) above £6,000 to:

  • develop and deliver programmes of targeted outreach across the student life-cycle, some involving collaborations with other institutions
  • provide clear information and guidance on a range of issues to potential and enrolled students
  • provide financial support to UK students from lower income households
  • monitor, evaluate and maximise the effectiveness of these strategies

The University's Impact Statement for the 2019-20 Access and Participation Plan details the progress made on this agenda in that year.

Previous agreements and Access agreements, which did the same job as access and participation plans, but were approved under the previous regulation system can be found on the Office for Students website.

How do I know which plan applies to me?

You are covered by the most recent plan or agreement in place at the time you start your studies. That plan or agreement will then cover you throughout your studies, even if your university or college introduces new plans or agreements in later years.

Creating the opportunities

The University's Strategic Plan has the major ambition of creating the opportunity for all our students to develop the knowledge, skills, and resilience they need to play a positive role in society. Under this aim we are working to improve student success and progression for historically disadvantaged student groups. This complements the work we are doing at the access stage of the student life-cycle. Thus the access and participation plan embodies the strategic direction of the University.