Supporting thriving communities: Alliance universities case studies

Universities play an essential role in supporting people and communities to succeed. For Alliance universities, widening participation activity is integral to their way of working, reflecting their origins in close links to industry and the need to reach out to a more diverse student body. The impact of many universities extends well beyond educating graduates and our institutions consider their strong civic role an essential part of their mission to ensure we can maximise talent and contribute to prosperous places.

But it is not enough to focus on access to higher study alone. Once students have made it to university, we need to keep them there and support them into good careers. The case studies below demonstrate some of the ways our universities are making that happen.

You can read our full report Supporting thriving communities: The role of universities in reducing inequality here.

CUC image WP coventry squareCollaborative outreach

Coventry University: Stripping out traditional barriers to entry and success

Keeping their doors open wide to students…

 

NTU Teacher Associates 2 squareCollaborative outreach

Nottingham Trent University: ‘Whole life-cycle’ outreach programme benefits community and students

Widening participation in schools, colleges and the local community…

 

HUDDS Enterprise Stephen Bond squareCreating jobs & business opportunities 

University of Huddersfield: Helping students build their entrepreneurial skills and knowledge

Providing advice and training on all aspects of starting up an enterprise…

 

OBU 3 March 2014 Ben 14 2400 squareCreating jobs & business opportunities

Oxford Brookes University: Award-winning social enterprise programme tackles some of the world’s most pressing issues

Helping students, staff and recent graduates who want to set up and run a social enterprise…

 

HCMF carlos-casas---photo-alex-beldea_15911793931_o (1) square HUDDSCultural enrichment

University of Huddersfield: Contemporary music festival attracts new audiences and engages local community

Providing a wide range of cultural opportunities for local residents…

 

Adult Online Learning open university squareCultural enrichment

The Open University: The Social Partnership Network

Extending higher education opportunities to all those who can benefit…

 

film student uWE WP squareCultural enrichment

UWE Bristol: Opening doors to young people in the creative sector

Paid internships creating opportunities for young people to gain critical work experience…

 

Teesside WP case study refugees3 square cropHelping disadvantaged students

Teesside University: Support for refugees and asylum seekers to benefit from higher education

Encouraging under-represented groups to progress in education…

 

Students in library low res salford jpgHelping disadvantaged students

Salford University: Pulling down barriers for care leavers and carers

Only 6% of care leavers at the age of 19 progress to university…

 

ports-Naomi Morris squareSupporting Success

University of Portsmouth: Volunteering is a win-win for students and their local communities

Hundreds of students give their time to help the city and region flourish…

 

OBU BMW-MINI-Plant squareSupporting Success

Oxford Brookes University: Working with BMW Group to offer unique degree opportunity

Students master both business and automotive management subjects with  a major employer…

 


SHU WP BME image6 squareSupporting Success

Sheffield Hallam University: Increasing BME learners studying to become a paramedic

While 14% of the UK population is identified as BME,  only 7.4% of paramedics are from BME groups…

 

Riah Spickett USW image squareSupporting Success

University of South Wales: Combining work with study to improve future employability

Network75 gives undergraduates opportunity to apply knowledge to real-life work situations…

Further reading