University of York Access and Participation Plan 2025-26 to 2028-29

Sep 15, 2026

The University of York Access and Participation Plan (APP) sets out how the university will support underrepresented full-time home undergraduate students to access and succeed in higher education and progress to further study or graduate employment. It aligns with York’s mission and Strategy 2030, identifies risks to equality of opportunity, and defines objectives, intervention strategies, and expected outcomes. The plan also adopts a whole provider approach, sets consultation and information-sharing practices, and establishes an evaluation framework supported by annex evidence.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryResearch & Report

FormatPDF

Pages66

Reading Time2 h 46 min

AccessFree to download

Introduction and Strategic Aim

Risks to Equality of Opportunity

Objectives

Intervention Strategies and Expected Outcomes

Whole Provider Approach

Student Consultation

Evaluation of the Plan

Provision of Information to Students

Annex A: Assessment of Performance

Annex B: Rationale, Assumptions and Evidence for Intervention Strategies

Glossary

UNIVERSITY OF YORK ACCESS AND PARTICIPATION PLAN 2025-26 TO 2028-29 INTRODUCTION AND STRATEGIC AIM ..........................................................................................................................1 RISKS TO EQUALITY OF OPPORTUNITY....................................................................................................................... 2 OBJECTIVES .................................................................................................................................................................... 7 INTERVENTION STRATEGIES AND EXPECTED OUTCOMES .................................................................................... 10 WHOLE PROVIDER APPROACH.................................................................................................................................... 22 STUDENT CONSULTATION.......................................................................................................................................... 24 EVALUATION OF THE PLAN ......................................................................................................................................... 25 PROVISION OF INFORMATION TO STUDENTS .......................................................................................................... 28 ANNEX A: ASSESSMENT OF PERFORMANCE ............................................................................................................ A1 ANNEX B: RATIONALE, ASSUMPTIONS AND EVIDENCE FOR INTERVENTION STRATEGIES ............................ A 20 GLOSSARY ................................................................................................................................................................... A31 INTRODUCTION AND STRATEGIC AIM 1. This Access and Participation Plan (APP) sets out how the University of York (hereafter referred to as York) will support underrepresented students to access and succeed in higher education and to progress into further study or graduate employment. Focused on full-time home undergraduate students, it identifies risks to equality of opportunity, outlining intervention strategies and a whole provider approach to address them. 2. Founded in 1963 on the principles of academic excellence, the application of learning for social benefit, and equality of opportunity, these traditions remain at the heart of our mission and values today. In our Social Mobility Pledge, we are committed to driving social mobility locally, regionally and nationally. We seek to be a place where all students can thrive, embracing and valuing their diverse backgrounds and personal characteristics. Our University Strategy 2030 positions us a ‘University for Public Good’: an equitable and inclusive institution which combines excellent teaching and research for social benefit. The outstanding nature of our teaching quality was recognised by a Gold award in the Teaching Excellence Framework 2023. 3. This APP underpins our Strategy1. We are committed to providing an education that empowers all students, within an inclusive, welcoming community. We believe in opening opportunities for all, through strong widening access interventions. We have a key strategic commitment to ensuring no gaps exist in continuation, progression, and award across the diversity of our student cohorts. 4. The APP facilitates the further development of existing commitments to support students with care experience (reflected in our National Network for the Education for Care Leavers ( NNECL) Quality Mark Award); students who are estranged from their families (reflected in our Stand Alone Pledge and Stand Alone Legacy Pledge); and refugees (reflected by the fact that we are a University of Sanctuary) . Our Context and Location: 5. We are a medium-sized University with 20,585 students across all levels of study (2023/24), of which 15,400 are undergraduates and 13,300 are full-time home undergraduates2. Ou

FAQs

What is the purpose of the University of York Access and Participation Plan (APP) 2025-26 to 2028-29?

It outlines how the university will support underrepresented full-time home undergraduate students to access and succeed in higher education and to progress to further study or graduate employment.

How does the plan identify and address risks to equality of opportunity?

It uses Office for Students (OfS) definitions to identify risks, then sets objectives and intervention strategies with expected outcomes to mitigate those risks using a whole provider approach.

What mechanisms does the APP include for evaluating impact and supporting students?

It includes student consultation, provision of information to students, and an evaluation of the plan. Supporting evidence and performance assessment are provided in annexes, along with a glossary for key terms.

Sep 15, 2026

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