Using data to identify Widening Participation target groups

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Using data to identifyWidening Participation
target groups

• Martin Williams
• (Goldsmiths College)
• Darren Walker
• (University of Greenwich)

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Background to SELHEPS

• South East London Higher Education Participation
  Scheme (SELHEPS)
• HEFCE funded Widening Participation Project (1999
  - 2003)
• HE partners- South Bank University, Goldsmiths
  College, University of Greenwich
• Sub-regional platform for Widening Participation
  work
• Undertake research into UCAS applicants from the
  South-East London sub-region
• From September 2003 South Bank University has
  been called London South Bank University

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Purpose of Research

• To analyse UCAS applicants atsub-regional level
  (rather than national or institutional level)
• To inform WP strategy and provision within the
  sub-region
• To identify possible WP target groups

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Methodology (1)

• Data for all UCAS applicants to F/T Degree and
  HND courses
• (UK domicile only) in postcode areas SE, DA, BR2
  BR3

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Methodology (2)

• Applicant types
• All
• Accepted
• Not Accepted
• Not Accepted applicant group sub-divided on the
  basis of the number of offers received
• Unplaced applicants- received no offers of a
  place in HE

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Methodology (3)

• Focus on successful (Accepted) and unsuccessful
  (Unplaced) applicants
• Comparisons between All, Accepted and
  Unplaced applicant types
• Each applicant type profiled by Age, Sex, Ethnic
  Origin, Main Qualification, Subject of Study
  (Preferred Actual), Social Class and Previous
  Educational Establishment

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Results Age (1)
All
Accepted
8
Results Age (2)
Unplaced
All
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Results Ethnic Origin (1)
Accepted
All
10
Results Ethnic Origin (2)
Unplaced
All
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ResultsMain Qualification (1)
Accepted
All
12
ResultsMain Qualification (2)
Unplaced
All
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Geodemographics

• Classification of a population according to the
  type of area in which they live
• Geodemographic profiles for All, Accepted and
  Unplaced applicants from the sub-region using
• - 1998 Index of Local Deprivation
• - Participation Rate Categories

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1998 Index of Local Deprivation (ILD98)

• The ILD98 is constructed from five indicators -
  unemployment, children in low earning households,
  households with no car, households lacking basic
  amenities and overcrowded households
• ILD98 Value Deprivation Band
• 0 No Deprivation
• 0.0001 1.9999 Slightly Deprived
• 2.0000 3.9999 Moderately Deprived
• 4.0000 5.9999 Highly Deprived
• 6.0000 11.0000 Most Deprived

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Results Deprivation (1)
Accepted
All
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Results Deprivation (2)
Unplaced
All
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Participation Rate Categories

• Participation Rate Categories 1,2 3 are used to
  allocate funding through the postcode premium
• HEFCE Participation Rate Categories
• 1 Less than 0.5 of the average participation
  rate
• 2 Between 0.5 and 0.75 times the average
  participation rate
• 3 Between 0.75 and 0.9 times the average
  participation rate
• 4 Between 0.9 and 0.95 times the average
  participation rate
• 5 Between 0.95 and 1.0 times the average
  participation rate
• 6 Above the average participation rate
• 7 Unknown participation rate

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Results Participation Rate Categories (1)
Accepted
All
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Results Participation Rate Categories (2)
Unplaced
All
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Unplaced applicants- a WP target group?

• Definition of a WP target group?
• Criteria?
• - NAO underrepresented groups
• disability and social classes (IIIM - V)
• - HEFCE premium funding
• Old part-time, mature, postcode and disability
• New part-time, postcode, prior educational
  attainment (young mature) and disability

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Unplaced applicants- a WP target group?

• Age
• Main Qualification
• Postcode
• 1998 Index of Local Deprivation?
• Ethnic Origin?
• Significant proportion of Unplaced applicants met
  one or more of the above criteria

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SELHEPS Partners
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THANK YOU