Governance

Governance

Learn more about our governance structures to see how we develop and report on our APP targets

Access Agreements

The Higher Education Act (2004) introduced a new funding system that allowed universities in England to charge variable tuition fees up to a maximum cap set by the government. Access Agreements were a response to the introduction of variable tuition fees in England and they outlined the institution's plans and commitments to widening participation and improving access for underrepresented groups.

This work is fundamental for the longevity of the University as we want to ensure all students have equality of opportunity in education. The OfS audits institutions on their work towards their APP targets and determines whether suffiecent progress has been made. 

Student Success Steering Group

Student Success Steering Group meets across the year to update on progress by providing reports and statistics against the institution's APP targets.

This is supplemented by our Research & Evaluation Group which reviews our research areas and ensures our approach to equality of opportunity is robust and evidence-based  

Education Directorate

Student Success is part of the Education Directorate. We work across schools providing statistics and research to support and develop our student success local delivery teams to maximise our effect on student attainment.

Office for Students (OfS)

OFFA was replaced/became OfS (2018), and Access Agreements became Access and Participation Plans.​ APPs are a requirement for every English university if they want to charge a higher tuition fee. ​

In early 2023 OfS introduced a new Equality of Opportunity Risk Register