Widening Participation
The University prides itself on being a highly inclusive institution. Some of the projects we undertake to help widen participation include:
- Routes for all - FOCUS West
- Step Up to University
- Access to Primary Education
- Summer School
- The Part-Time Forum
Routes for all - FOCUS West
The routes for all element of FOCUS West - the West of Scotland Wider Access Forum (West Forum) schools' programme, is organised through a partnership between Glasgow Caledonian University and University of the West of Scotland.
The routes for all programme is tailored to support S5/6 pupils who are thinking about applying for further and higher education courses. It has been developed to give pupils the necessary tools to succeed in their journey towards post-school education, preparing them to make the transition from school to college/university. It does this by means of delivering workshop style sessions throughout S5/6.
FOCUS West is a joint collaboration between the six Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) and twenty partner colleges within the West Forum. FOCUS West works to raise aspirations of pupils in selected schools in the South West of Scotland.
STEP UP TO UNIVERSITY
The aim of the Step Up to University module is to equip school leavers with the necessary study skills needed at University, thus easing the transition from school to Higher Education. This transitional module is presented to S6 pupils and includes the following topics:
UCAS application forms:
Sessions on the completion of the application form with particular emphasis on developing a comprehensive personal statement.
Learning in HE:
Includes attending lectures, note taking, essay writing, exam techniques and delivering effective presentations. Pupils write an essay and gain feedback on their performance.
Student Finance:
Pupils undertake a personal budgeting exercise on how to make the most of their money. They source information on student finance such as SAAS loans, Trust Funds and part time employment.
Graduate Employability:
Graduate employment opportunities and salaries are investigated. Pupils are also encouraged to assess their own transferable skills and look at ways in which they can develop the skills employers value. A visit to a local employer allows them to find out first hand what they should be aiming towards.
The course is delivered partly in the school by University or school staff and pupils also visit one of the University campuses. A certificate from the University is awarded to pupils on completion of the course.
Access to Primary Education project
The University is helping secondary pupils from non-traditional HE uptake areas in the West of Scotland gain access to university primary education courses.
The project, which is funded by Glasgow City Council and has subsequent funding from Careers Scotland, is collaboration between the University and the University of Glasgow.
The project is aimed at pupils interested in Primary Education. It provides study skills such as note-taking in lectures and essay writing techniques, placement experience and support to help pupils achieve their ambition of becoming a primary school teacher. Furthermore the initiative equips the participating pupils with skills required for university study in this area and allows them to give back to their local communities through their chosen primary education career.
Summer School
A Summer School has been in operation in the University since 1999. Originally this was only for applicants to the Social Science Programme who had not reached the required entry qualification. In 2002 the Summer School was extended to include the Business School and the Faculty of Engineering and Science.
Aims:
The Summer School is designed to help students develop the skills needed to succeed at University.
Format:
There are two strands to the Summer School. Each strand operates separately but comes together for classes, which cover skills relevant to all subject areas.
The Social Science Strand introduces students to Sociology, Politics and Psychology.
The Business Strand introduces managing and marketing topics and includes lectures on Entrepreneurship vs Franchising, Buy one Get One Free, The Well Organised Manager and Globalisation: The Big Mac Index.
The study skills required for university study are integrated within these programmes and include lectures in Notetaking, How to work in a Team, Reading and Library Research, Essay and Report Writing and Presentation skills.
These programmes include an assessment which, on successful completion, will be one of the criteria used to enable students to progress on to the Degree course.
Applicants, who held conditional offers, for the University are referred to the Summer School by University Direct and the Admissions Tutors. All participants receive £10.00 per week subsistence and, on production of receipts, return of any travel expenses incurred.
The Part-Time Forum
Organised by the Lifelong Learning Academy and the Open University in Scotland, The Part-Time Forum is an annual conference which provides a platform for discussion of the key issues related to part-time learning. Over the last six years The Part-Time Forum events have grown to become a highly-regarded focal point for debating and progressing policy related to part-time students and providers.
The Forum will be held on Monday 11 January 2010 and this years theme is "Making part-time learning work for Scotland: the way ahead
For more details on this event please refer to its website:
For more information contact the Lifelong Learning Academy:
Tel: +44 (0)141 848 3193
Fax: +44 (0)141 848 3191
More help with funding is available.