Access and Participation Plan
Ravensbourne University London’s commitment to Access and Participation.
Our University is committed to fair access and participation for students, and to addressing educational inequality. Our Access and Participation Plan sets out our ambition to achieve these commitments including strategic measures, investment and targets to hold ourselves accountable.
Our most recent plan covers 2025-29. It sets out our aims and objectives alongside what we will do to improve equality of opportunity for underrepresented groups at different stages of their educational journey. Read more about Access and Participation Plans and find previous plans on the OfS website.
- Summary of 2025/26-2028/29 Access and Participation Plan (accessible, plain English)
- Full 2025/26-2028/29 Access and Participation Plan
- Full 2020/21-2024/25 Access and Participation Plan
What activities are Ravensbourne carrying out as part of it’s Access and Participation Plan?
- Outreach activities
We offer young people portfolio and application support as well as holiday schools to give young people insight into what it's like to study at university.
Find more information on our Schools and outreach page. - Financial support
At Ravensbourne there are bursaries, scholarships and other funds available to our students that can help with living expenses and any additional study costs like course equipment.
Find more information on our Bursaries and scholarships page. - Student support
We provide a network of support services around disability, wellbeing and learning support.
Find out more about all the support our students can access on the Student Services page. - Support for students with their transition and outcomes
- Employability
The Careers lab team offers support with career planning, C.V advice, interview tips.
Read more about Careers Lab.
What is an Access and Participation Plan?
Our Access and Participation Plan sets out how we will improve equality of opportunity for learners from underrepresented groups to access, succeed in and progress from higher education. It details the activities and projects we will deliver to challenge risks to equality of opportunity, and how we will measure and evaluate the impact of this work.
We have conducted a self-assessment and have set objectives and targets to close gaps across the student lifecycle.
Which groups of students are underrepresented in higher education?
- Students from areas of low higher education participation (POLAR4 & TUNDRA)
- Students from low income or low socioeconomic status (English Index of Multiple Deprivation – IMD)
- Students from the global majority – also referred to as Asian, Black, Mixed or Other
- Care experienced students
- Carers
- People estranged from their families
- People from Gypsy, Roma and Traveller communities
- Refugees, or those with a non-settled status
- Mature students (aged 21+ on entry)
- Disabled students
- People from military families
How do we assess participation?
In our self-assessment we analysed rates and gaps in access, student success (continuation, completion and degree awarding) and progression in terms of employment and postgraduate study. The groups we looked at covered all the above, plus any differences male / female rates. We have committed to regularly reviewing and monitoring these rates, as well as the intersection between gender, ethnicity and socioeconomic background, as part of our annual reporting.
Where can I find out more and how can I get involved?
The main contact for enquiries relating to Ravensbourne’s Access and Participation Plan is Lucy Slater, APP Manager: [email protected]
If you are a student and would like to be involved in our Student Advisory Panel for Access and Participation, or to find out about our activities and projects, please visit our intranet site.