21.07.2006
Figures released today by the Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA) show that the university is continuing to attract students from diverse backgrounds.
Numbers of students coming to Brighton from state schools has remained at around 92% - higher than the 86% average for England. The university is also attracting more students from areas which typically have low numbers of students going to university. Figures show that numbers of students coming from low participation neighbourhoods in 2004-05 increased to 10%.
Vice-Chancellor Professor Julian Crampton said: "These figures show that our outreach activities are starting to make a real difference. As a university we are committed to widening access to higher education and our university's courses are delivered by a network of partner colleges across Sussex. We are a managing partner in the University Centre Hastings which brings university education to this deprived area. We are also the lead partner in the Aimhigher Sussex project working with schools and colleges to raise aspirations and achievements of young people and which supports pupils with no family history of higher education."
The university also leads the Sussex Lifelong Learning Network, one of the first to be awarded in the country. This initiative promotes vocational and workplace progression into and through higher education. The university also runs a successful Widening Participation Summer School. Over 50 school pupils attend the week long university 'taster', aimed at families where no immediate relative has had the opportunity to go to university and to help them decide whether university is right for them.
Contact: Marketing and Communications, University of Brighton, 01273 643022
