YO R K S T J O H N U N I V E R S I T Y
A lesson in opportunity access FIT FOR PURPOSE REPORTS ON WORK GOING ON AT YORK ST JOHN UNIVERSIT Y TO DRIVE CHANGE AND SOCIAL MOBILIT Y IN YORKSHIRE AND BEYOND.
Social mobility is written into the DNA of York St John University, which was set up in 1841 to widen access to careers in education. Today, York St John University works to improve social mobility in the lives of people it reaches by encouraging engagement with those from backgrounds that are underrepresented in higher education. Its success is borne out by the Higher Education Access Tracker (HEAT), whose data for 2018-2019 shows that: • 55 per cent of participants were from first generation higher education families. • 42 per cent and 33 per cent were from the two lowest categories of neighbourhoods in terms of numbers that have historically entered higher education from them. • The overall proportion of students taking part in York St John University activities who are classified as disadvantaged in at least one indicator is 94 percent. York St John University has created a progressive admissions scheme that supports those not traditionally engaged in higher education. Its contextualised recruitment system is based on local and regional data and considers six points-based categories. If a student fits into two or more, they receive a reduced offer. Matching four or more results in an unconditional offer. This Opportunity and Excellence offer scheme is clearly documented and communicated to schools, colleges, and applicants to ensure clarity and transparency.
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