AN initiative to boost the number of young people from deprived communities in Scotland’s universities should provide a “step change in knowledge” on how to achieve this.
The new Framework for Fair Access has been hailed as a “significant milestone”. A key part of it is a new website, to provide evidence on what can be done.
A new forum, called Scotland’s Community of Access and Participation Practitioners (SCAPP), has been set up to share and develop best practice. The framework was recommended by the Commission on Widening Access.
Latest figures show 15.6% of full-time undergraduate students starting university come from 20% of the most deprived backgrounds.
The Scottish Government wants the figure raised to 20% by 2030.
The Commissioner for Fair Access, Professor Sir Peter Scott, said: “The framework is designed to produce a step change in our knowledge about which fair access activities work best.”
Universities Scotland director Alastair Sim said: “The framework is one of many exciting developments already this year. They include bold action from universities to set minimum entry requirements for under-represented students starting degrees in 2021.”
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