Discover Postgrad for staff
About the project
The University of Manchester is currently taking part in a two-year research project (March 2017 – February 2019), Progression to, and success in postgraduate study, by students from BAME and POLAR 1 & 2 backgrounds. The project is funded as part of a successful bid to the HEFCE (Higher Education Funding Council for England, now OfS, Office for Students) Catalyst Fund, an output from the National Strategy for Access and Student Success, which explores the student lifecycle from access to HE through to employment, promoting greater strategic alignment and cohesion. The University of Manchester was awarded this bid as part of a consortium of HEIs led by the University of Leeds, with which we have already worked as part of the HEFCE-funded Postgraduate Support Scheme in 2014/15. The other members of the consortium are the Universities of Sheffield, Warwick and York, which (along with Manchester and Leeds) account for almost 10% of PGT students nationally.
The overall aim of the project is to close the gap in progression to (and success on) postgraduate taught (PGT) courses, for students from POLAR quintile 1 and 2 neighbourhoods and / or Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) backgrounds. It recognises the importance of non-financial interventions, as well as the diversity within this heterogeneous group.
Driver for widening participation on master’s courses
The difference in career outcomes for those with an undergraduate degree compared to those without has been well documented, but there was (until recently) little research into evidence of the same for master’s study. The previous HEFCE-funded project found that a master’s degree could lead to higher earning, access to certain professions, as well as progression to postgraduate research.
The groups targeted for this project have notably lower levels of progression to postgraduate study. Previous research has shown that, while (lack of) access to funding is a key factor in decision-making around postgraduate study, non-financial interventions and on-course support are also important.
Governance
At The University of Manchester, the project is led by the Directorate for the Student Experience. The Project Manager is Felicity Wicks (Student Recruitment and Widening Participation Officer) reporting to Stephanie Lee (Head of Widening Participation and Outreach). The project is directed by a Steering Group, chaired by Dr David Brown from the School of Arts, Languages and Cultures.
Which subject areas are involved?
The project is being trialled this year in three areas:
- School of Biological Sciences: whole cohort.
- School of Arts, Languages and Cultures: students on courses within English and American Studies, and within English Languages and Linguistics.
- School of Social Sciences: BA Econ; BSc Economics; PPE.
Finding out more
Contact Felicity Wicks in the Widening Participation team: felicity.wicks@manchester.ac.uk
