University College Plymouth St Mark & St John

UCP Marjon has a long standing commitment to widening participation into higher education.  With the end of the Aimhigher initiative in July 2011 and the introduction of increased university fees from September 2012, UCP Marjon is taking an active role in helping learners from the most under-represented groups to progress to the full range of higher education provision on offer.

To achieve our aim, we have an exceptional outreach team, who, through a programme of targeted and stimulating activities, raise the aspirations and awareness for higher education study. These activities are specifically targeted at schools, colleges and community groups across the South West region and include the following:

• HE Preparation and Taster Learning Days
• Student Shadowing
• 6th Form Induction Events
• Open Days 
• Mentoring
• HE workshops and presentations

Evaluation of activities designed to widen participation has shown that some of the most effective interventions have been those where undergraduates, particularly those from similar backgrounds to the targeted learners, work with the learners in order to:

• raise their aspirations
• raise their standards of performance
• increase their awareness of the opportunities offered by higher education
• develop and improve their self-esteem, motivation, confidence, persistence, application
• give them a greater understanding of the process of applying to higher education.

UCP Marjon has a thriving and very successful student ambassador scheme where current undergraduates act as informed and resourceful role models on all outreach activities.

For further information, please contact: Olivia Craig Widening Participation Coordinator on ocraig@marjon.ac.uk or tel. 01752 636700 (ext 8214).