UCL's 2013-2014 Access Agreement approved by OFFA

The Agreement builds on UCL's extensive existing programme of activities designed to open admissions to the most disadvantaged students. The measures in the Agreement meet the strict criteria set out by OFFA and ensure that UCL's tradition of welcoming the best students from all sections of society is upheld.

Key components of the 2013-2014 agreement include:

• An anticipated 30% of additional tuition fee income to be spent on access measures equating to approximately £9.7 million per year by 2016-17.
• Approximately £8.1 million of additional tuition fee income to be spent on financial measures and £1.56 million on outreach and retention activities.
• Continuation of current successful outreach activities and the introduction of a range of new activities, including targeted sustained activities aimed at increasing the number of students from disadvantaged backgrounds studying at university level and, in particular, at UCL.
• Challenging targets and milestones covering applications, student intake, progression and outreach activities that will move UCL in the direction of wider social inclusion.
• Effective evaluation and monitoring to ensure that activities remain focused on outcomes.
• Clear and transparent information available for prospective students on programmes of study and the finances for studying at UCL.

Katy Redfern, UCL Head of Outreach, said: "This agreement builds on the 2012-13 agreement.

"The total percentage UCL commits to bursaries and access measures remains the same at 30% of additional fee income, but the actual amount rises as we will have more students - mainly due to the UCL School of Pharmacy merger.

"In this Agreement, there is a new section on equality and diversity, a new section on working with UCLU and an extended section on working in partnership.

"Our targets remain the same as those set out in 2012-13, but we have added an additional target around working with Black Caribbean and Black African students."

Outreach case study - UCL Horizons

UCL Horizons is a long-term outreach programme aimed at students in Years 10 to 13 from non-selective state schools in inner London. It aims to provide stimulating academic programmes and higher education guidance from GCSE through to UCAS application stage. It targets students who are most able but least likely to apply to university, aimed especially at those whose parents have not been to university.

The UCL Horizons Summer Challenge takes place in June and involves Year 12 students attending a course once a week after school, for six weeks. 60-90 students are involved, and they will have a choice of six engaging courses.

UCL Horizons also runs a Debating Summer School during July, engaging Year 10 students in themed debates. This is the third year this summer school has run and the 2012 theme is politics.

UCL's Horizons has won in the Building Bridges category at this year's London Education Partnership Awards.

Current year 12 outreach student Amir Said posted on the UCL Horizons Facebook page, saying: "Congratulations! Really appreciate all the pain-staking work you've put into Horizons from the very start! I've benefited from every Saturday session and summer school you've set up! If it wasn't for UCL Horizons guiding and teaching me new skills year after year, I don't know where I would be, nor would I know what I want to study at university if it wasn't for your taster sessions (e.g. film-making, architecture, economics...) and the UCAS evening. Thanks a million for caring so much about each and every one of us!"

Images credit: UCL Outreach

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