How we fund widening participation

Widening participation allocations are funds for teaching that recognise the extra costs associated with recruiting certain types of student. These are students from disadvantaged backgrounds currently underrepresented in higher education, or disabled students. We also provide specific funds that support institutions in their work to retain those students who are less likely to complete their studies. 

Funds to widen participation therefore take the form of specific ‘non-mainstream’ allocations within our overall funding for learning and teaching.

Students from disadvantaged backgrounds

This allocation aims to meet some of the additional costs that institutions face for outreach activity. Such work aims to raise aspirations and attainment among potential students from under-represented groups.

The funding method for widening access applies a weight to undergraduate new entrants according to:

  • young HE participation by ward for full-time undergraduates under 21 on entry
  • or the proportion of 16-74 year olds with a HE qualification by ward for part-time and mature undergraduates.

Improving provision for disabled students

These funds are designed to support greater access to higher education for disabled students and improve their overall learning and teaching experience.

To calculate this allocation, we take into account the number of students at each institution in receipt of the disabled students' allowance (DSA).

Improving retention

‘Improving retention’ funds are designed to help institutions retain students who are more at risk of not completing their course of study. 

We now allocate this funding as part of our funds to support enhanced learning and teaching. 

Further details of the 'teaching enhancement and student success' allocation are available in our learning and teaching pages.

Annual figures and allocation method

In 2012-13 we allocated £140.4 million for widening participation.

Full details of this figure, the allocation method for all widening participation allocations, and figures from previous years are now available under ‘Funds for learning and teaching’ in our ‘Annual funding allocations’ section. 

Page last updated 25 April 2012

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