Research on Widening Participation at the University of Edinburgh

The aim to increase levels of participation in higher education by disadvantaged students is a priority for the Scottish Government and Scottish Higher Education institutions. The University of Edinburgh is committed to widening participation, and has developed a number of initiatives to encourage more prospective students from under-represented groups. Since 2004 the University has pioneered the use of contextual data during the admissions process to identify disadvantage students with the potential to benefit from the academic experience it offers.

Stage 1: Widening Participation at the University of Edinburgh: entry, progression and degree outcomes (ACCESS1)

Stage 2: The progression and outcomes of widening participation students at the University of Edinburgh: the staff perspective (ACCESS2)

The second stage of the research is a qualitative study to investigate the reasons for the differences in the type and class of degree attained by WP indicated students, and to try and uncover the reasons for the differences in outcomes across subject areas. Drawing on findings at stage 1, it focuses on eight subject areas in which a range of staff will be interviewed. The third stage of the research will be interviews and group work with students.

The aims of the study of staff are:
1. to investigate the reasons WP indicated students in some subject areas are less likely to progress to an Honours degree and to gain a 1st or 2:1 class of degree than other students,
(including the influence of prior SQA and GCE qualifications); and
2. from this to identify the factors that contribute to successful outcomes and provide the basis for the development of strategies to address the issue.

Please click here to see available publications.