UCL’s 2013-2014 Access Agreement approved by OFFA

UCL is pleased to announce that our 2013-2014 Access Agreement has received approval from the Office for Fair Access (OFFA).

The Agreement builds on UCL’s extensive existing programme of activities designed to open admissions to the most disadvantaged students. The measures in the Agreement meet the strict criteria set out by OFFA and ensure that UCL’s tradition of welcoming the best students from all sections of society is upheld.

Key components of the 2013-2014 agreement include:

• An anticipated 30% of additional tuition fee income to be spent on access measures equating to approximately £9.7 million per year by 2016-17.
• Approximately £8.1 million of additional tuition fee income to be spent on financial measures and £1.56 million on outreach and retention activities.
• Continuation of current successful outreach activities and the introduction of a range of new activities, including targeted sustained activities aimed at increasing the number of students from disadvantaged backgrounds studying at university level and, in particular, at UCL.
• Challenging targets and milestones covering applications, student intake, progression and outreach activities that will move UCL in the direction of wider social inclusion.
• Effective evaluation and monitoring to ensure that activities remain focussed on outcomes.
• Clear and transparent information available for prospective students on programmes of study and the finances for studying at UCL.

Katy Redfern, UCL Head of Outreach, said: "This agreement builds on the 2012-13 agreement.

"The total percentage UCL commits to bursaries and access measures remains the same at 30% of additional fee income, but the actual amount rises as we will have more students - mainly due to the UCL School of Pharmacy merger.

"In this Agreement, there is a new section on equality and diversity, a new section on working with UCLU and an extended section on working in partnership.

"Our targets remain the same as those set out in 2012-13, but we have added an additional target around working with Black Caribbean and Black African students."