Widening Participation and Outreach
We believe that access to a world-leading university should be open to people from all backgrounds. We hope to raise students' aspirations and increase their awareness of the benefits of Higher Education.
What do we do?
We run a wide range of events and activities for young people targeted at state school educated students, students who would be the first in their family to attend university, students from low socio-economic backgrounds and students who come from neighbourhoods where there is low progression to higher education. These initiatives include:
Contextual Offers
In order to ensure that every application is treated fairly and judged on its merits, we consider academic potential in the context of educational backgrounds and individual circumstances.
This includes looking at an applicant's:
- School exam performance and the number of students entitled to Free School Meals
- Home postcode
- Whether they have spent time in care
If applicants meet two or more of our contextual data indicators they may be eligible for a 2 grade reduction to the standard offer their application is successful.
Warwick Scholars
Warwick Scholars is designed to help students gain a place at Warwick by maximising their academic potential, by developing skills that will help them to succeed in their studies.
In addition to gaining insight into life as a Warwick student, they will receive:
- a guaranteed offer of between 2-4 grades lower than the standard entry requirements
- a 50% tuition fee discount for each year of study
They will also be considered for a means-tested bursary of £2,000 per year to support with accommodation on-campus or with travel to and from campus during their studies.
Discover Economics Virtual Series
Discover Economics aims to open the eyes of Year 9-10 students from local schools to the exciting subject of economics at a crucial stage of their education.
The event, delivered by staff from the Department of Economics at Warwick, includes:
- an opportunity to meet academics and professional economists from outside of academia, who will talk about what's like to be an economist;
- an opportunity to participate in interactive games exploring topics in economics;
- finding out about what jobs and careers a degree in economics may lead to.
Sutton Trust Summer School
The Sutton Trust Summer Summer School involves a range of academic, informative and social activities designed to replicate a first year undergraduate experience at a world-class university.
Find out more
Pathways to Banking and Finance
Pathways to Banking and Finance is an outreach programme that aims to inspire and support students to explore a range of careers in the banking and financial sectors.
Find out more
Women in Economics
Women are significantly under-represented in economics as a discipline and so it is our aim to encourage more female students from secondary schools to aspire to become an economist.
Support at University
We recognise that there are times in university life when a little extra professional support may be helpful. Therefore, the Department's Widening Participation and Outreach programme continues throughout study where eligible students have the option of accessing additional support while they are studying for their economics degree. Hear our students talk about the academic support they have received while studying with us.
Get in Touch
If you are interested in finding out more about our activities, work or strategy please get in touch with our Widening Participation and Outreach team. Whether you are a student, parent/guardian, teacher or a staff or student at Warwick, we'd love to hear from you.
Associate Professor, Widening Participation Co-ordinator and Discover Economics Champion
Further Resources
Here are some quick links to further information you may find useful: