Class & Widening Participation

The department is committed to ensuring that existing class inequalities do not hamper education and we encourage an understanding of the deep-set formulations of class in British culture and the complex ways in which working class disadvantage persists. We aim to support students both in practical terms, in coping with student poverty, and via attention to the issue of class in our pedagogy.

The department recognises also, that finance, money and poverty are far from the only way in which class inequality manifests itself and affects students. We aim to situate our understanding of literary culture and literary language within discussion of the history of class and theories of class, in national and international contexts.

We encourage affiliation with the Student Union and Unions more broadly as an essential element in working towards equality and for the common good:

YUSU (University of York Students’ Union)
UCU (York’s Branch of University and College Union)
TUC (Trades Union Congress)

Bursaries and Scholarship Support

The Department of English and Related Literature believes that the study of literature is for all. We are committed to both fostering and supporting academic excellence and those entering literary study from disadvantaged backgrounds.

English is committed to ensuring that students from all socio-economic backgrounds can access study and thrive academically during their time at York and pursue literary study.

We offer a range of Academic Excellence and Widening Access Scholarships and Bursaries each year for newly-enrolled undergraduate students of English Literature (Q300). These awards are limited to one per student.

If you would like to be considered for this award, please consult our funding website and email english-ug-admissions@york.ac.uk.

Academic Excellence Scholarships for UK (Home) English Literature students
Widening Access Scholarships for UK (Home) English Literature students

Post-16 Widening Participation Activities

In addition to the departmental scheme, the University of York offers a range of Widening Participation schemes to 16-18 year old students. Current collaboration schemes and programmes include:

Hardship Fund

Students can apply to the following hardship funds provided by the University if they find themselves in unexpected financial difficulties:

University Hardship Fund for UK students
International Students Hardship Fund for EU and international students

There is an assessment process, which asks for various pieces of evidence in support of the application.

Grants from the hardship funds do not need to be paid back.

Further Information

University of York: Access and Participation Plan 2019/20
The Sutton Trust is a foundation which improves social mobility in the UK through evidence-based programmes, research and policy advocacy. In particular, they have provided evidence that comprehensive school students with one-to-two grades lower A-level grades than privately educated pupils, actually perform equivalently at university.

Students can apply to the following hardship funds provided by the University if they find themselves in unexpected financial difficulties:

University Hardship Fund for UK students
International Students Hardship Fund for EU and international students

There is an assessment process, which asks for various pieces of evidence in support of the application.