Statement on Access Agreement
Posted on 12 July 2011
The Office for Fair Access (OFFA) today announces its approval of the University of York’s plans to widen access and provide financial support for home and EU undergraduate students from October 2012.
OFFA has endorsed the package of reductions and financial support that we shall put in place to ensure that able students are not deterred from applying to York.
The measures supported by OFFA today mean we can continue to invest in providing the best possible experience for our students.
Brian Cantor, Vice Chancellor
The University is recognised as the most socially inclusive of the UK’s leading higher education institutions.
The funding plans endorsed by OFFA today were approved by the University Council (the Governing Body) on 24 June 2011.
The University will invest in five main areas:
- Financial support for students
- Expanding our already successful widening participation and access activities
- Enhancing the quality of the teaching experience
- Improving the quality of the wider student experience
- Providing academic and other forms of support to aid success and retention.
The University will offer a range of scholarships, waivers and bursaries. We expect to offer 171 scholarships of £4,500 through the National Scholarship Programme at York, funded equally by the Government and the University. First-year students with scholarships will receive £4,500 in support, while other first-year students from families with an income of less than £25,000 will receive support worth £3,000 in the first year and £2,000 in subsequent years. Hardship funds for students will also be increased.
This support will be supplemented by non-repayable Government grants for students from low-income backgrounds as well as Government loans to cover living expenses.
York’s Chancellor, Greg Dyke, will also lead a public fund-raising campaign to encourage York alumni to enhance the University’s scholarships and bursaries.
The University will continue to build relationships and create new partnerships with schools and colleges in areas with proportionately high numbers of students from under-represented groups.
Since 2000, York’s commitment to renew and enhance the student experience has been underscored by the investment of £500 million in world-class facilities for its students. This includes the refurbishment and extension of the University Library and the first phase of a campus expansion at Heslington East, featuring the new 620-bed student accommodation at Goodricke College. Further investments at Heslington East include the 650-bed Langwith College and the £9 million York Sports Village, both due for completion in summer 2012.
The Vice-Chancellor, Professor Brian Cantor, said: “It is great news that OFFA has endorsed our funding proposals which will help to maintain the University of York as an institution of the highest quality. The University is committed to four key objectives – excellence, internationalisation, sustainability and inclusivity.
“The measures supported by OFFA today mean we can continue to invest in providing the best possible experience for our students. We will ensure that York continues to attract and support students from a diverse range of backgrounds and that anyone who has the ability to benefit from a York education can do so regardless of their financial circumstances.”
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