Centre for Widening Participation and Social Inclusion

The University is fully committed to the Funding Council’s and the Welsh Government’s priorities and to the removal of barriers (whether physical, social, cultural or financial) to Higher Education.

Aberystwyth University has a long standing commitment to widening access to groups of people who have traditionally been under-represented in Higher Education. The Centre for Widening Participation and Social Inclusion (then known as the Lifelong Learning Office) was established in 1998 to further one of the University's key aims. Courses and programmes support people of all ages from primary school to adult in the community.

What we can offer

  • Courses/workshops in the community
  • Arrange for visits to campus
  • Programmes for Primary School children (years 5 & 6 in local Community First area schools)
  • School science activities and science for adults sessions
  • Support for care leavers and foster parents
  • Various advice/guidance sessions and talks on request
  • Signpost Mentoring for new undergraduates

Please see our newsletter 'CWPSI Newsletter 2012 - 2013' & 'CWPSI Calender 2012 - 2013 .

Aberystwyth Strategic Plan 2012-17

Taken from

Aim 1 - Creating opportunities

 “We believe that anyone who has the capacity to benefit from a university education should be enabled to do so. Our innovative approach to widening access includes projects aimed at raising school leaver aspirations, the flagship of which is our Summer University. Through this we offer a residential intensive Higher Education experience to students at risk of underperforming to encourage them to recognise their own potential. Excellence in student support requires agility and openness to respond to individual needs, and we will work creatively to ensure an excellent support structure for all students which improves retention and student satisfaction rates and holds true to our belief that every student counts. We are committed to ensuring that Aberstwyth is a welcoming space for staff and students of all backgrounds and we work with a range of organisations, including Stonewall, the Buttle Trust UK, Athena SWAN and the Welsh language Commissioner to promote diversity and equal opportunity for all staff and students.”