Student equity at LJMU

LJMU prides itself on being an inclusive civic university, transforming lives and futures by placing students at the heart of everything we do. We believe that every student, regardless of background or barriers, has the right to access higher education and to be supported to succeed and thrive at university and beyond.

Our approach to student equity

LJMU is dedicated to treating all students with dignity, respect, and fairness. Our work in student equity (also known as widening participation (WP)) ensures that all students with the ability and desire have equitable opportunities and are supported to access, succeed in and progress from higher education. We are committed to removing the barriers and addressing the risks to equality of opportunity faced by certain student groups.

What LJMU is doing to address inequality

LJMU has a long history of addressing inequality in higher education and puts students at the heart of everything we do.

LJMU is proud to have:

  • the Athena Swan Silver Award
  • the Race Equality Charter Bronze Award
  • signed the Armed Forces Covenant and achieved a Gold Award from the Ministry of Defence Employer Recognition Scheme
  • been a lead partner in the design of the National Network for the Education of Care Leavers (NNECL) Quality Mark and to have been one of the first to receive the accreditation
  • signed the GTRSB into HE pledge
  • committed to the Student Minds Mental Health Charter

Our Outreach team are dedicated to providing transformational opportunities and inspire young people to pursue a university education.

Information for young people, parents, teachers and advisors about support available from the Outreach team.

Current students can access a range of support to ensure they can thrive and succeed at LJMU. This includes dedicated support from our Student Advice and Wellbeing team, academic support from our academic achievement team, and bespoke careers support from Student Futures. Other sources of support are our students’ union JMSU, as well as assigned Personal Tutors.

For more information on our approach to student equity please refer to our Access and Participation Plan.

Qualifying as a Widening Participation student

Throughout the student lifecycle, we know that specific groups of students may face unique and nuanced challenges. Different activities, support or programmes may have specific and/or additional requirements and may consider the context of each group, including factors of intersectionality, when setting out who is eligible.

In general, a student may be considered as being from a widening participation background if they are from the UK and can meet one or more the following criteria.

  • Students from a low-income background, for example, household income of £30,000 or less.
  • Students from lower socio-economic groups or from neighbourhoods where higher education participation is low - Index of Multiple Deprivation (IMD) Q1/Q2.
  • Students who are first in their family to progress to higher education (for example, parents or guardians have not attended university. This does not include siblings or other close family relations).
  • Students who are (or were) entitled to free school meals or Pupil Premium or the 16 to 19 Bursary.
  • Students from Asian, black, and mixed-ethnic groups.
  • Students with cognitive or learning difficulties.
  • Students with a mental health condition.
  • Students with a sensory, medical, or physical impairment.
  • Students with a social or communication impairment.
  • Students with multiple impairments.
  • Students who are living in, or have lived in, local authority care.
  • Students who are estranged from their families.
  • Students from Gypsy, Roma, Traveller, Irish Traveller, Showman and Boater communities.
  • Refugees or asylum seekers.
  • Children from military families.
  • Mature students (those aged 21 and over).
  • Young carers.