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

Widening Access section of the University's Strategic Plan 2009-2013

Widening Access Strategy 2006 to 2009

Our Widening Access strategy focuses on six main objectives and seeks to:

  1. widen access among the local community, especially Communities First Areas and other areas of particular need and low participation,
  2. raise the aspirations and achievements of school pupils, by developing their academic potential and familiarising them with the opportunities offered by Higher Education,
  3. widen access to Welsh medium study,
  4. continue to widen access to Science, building on the success of increasing entrants to science in Aberystwyth, and to address gender imbalances where they exist in specific disciplines,
  5. increase retention and achievement of vulnerable students,
  6. widen access for ethnic minority students, refugees and economic migrants, those with disabilities, and with other barriers to entering Higher Education.

Please see our newsletter 'CWPSI Autumn Newsletter 2011' .