Having been involved in widening participation initiatives for some years, I have also, for some years, been concerned that outreach and financial support activities intended to bring people from disadvantaged backgrounds into undergraduate studies aren't enough. Doing an undergraduate degree in Law isn't enough to become a solicitor or barrister - a postgraduate course is needed; a first degree in sociology or geography is not enough to become a professional town planner - a postgraduate professional qualification is needed; it is increasingly difficult get a postgraduate scholarship to do a research degree without having a Masters qualification first. And financial support for students from disadvantaged backgrounds undertaking postgraduate qualifications have not been available.
Three or four years ago I proposed to the Office of Fair Access that the University should be allowed to allocate some of its widening participation expenditure towards postgraduate support - but was told that that was not allowed.
This evening we held a celebration for 99 students from disadvantaged backgrounds or difficult circumstances who are now in receipt of scholarships. Times have changed, and the funding council has created a two year project to explore how postgraduate support can be financed and what the effects would be. We have matched their funding with finances from other sources, including alumni. The project will last two years, and the demand from potential students has shown what a pent-up interest there is for such support. Today has seen the fulfilment of something I have wanted for some years.
But it is the personal stories that are the most affecting. As I left to collect my coat a woman leaving with me turned to me and said 'Thank you for this. I'm a mother with three children and without this support I couldn't fulfil my dream of doing a Masters course.' It's taken too long to get to this position, but that testimony shows the importance of what we are doing.
Three or four years ago I proposed to the Office of Fair Access that the University should be allowed to allocate some of its widening participation expenditure towards postgraduate support - but was told that that was not allowed.
This evening we held a celebration for 99 students from disadvantaged backgrounds or difficult circumstances who are now in receipt of scholarships. Times have changed, and the funding council has created a two year project to explore how postgraduate support can be financed and what the effects would be. We have matched their funding with finances from other sources, including alumni. The project will last two years, and the demand from potential students has shown what a pent-up interest there is for such support. Today has seen the fulfilment of something I have wanted for some years.
But it is the personal stories that are the most affecting. As I left to collect my coat a woman leaving with me turned to me and said 'Thank you for this. I'm a mother with three children and without this support I couldn't fulfil my dream of doing a Masters course.' It's taken too long to get to this position, but that testimony shows the importance of what we are doing.
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