Inclusion
We are taking the definition of ‘inclusion', as used by the Higher Education Academy, to mean the enabling of full and equitable participation in and progression through higher education for all prospective and existing students.
This webpage on inclusion unites our work in the areas of widening participation, gender, ethnicity, disability and student retention. All of these areas address equality of access or opportunity and recognise the implications of the increasing diversity of the student body for policy and practice to enhance student success.
Widening Participation
Widening Participation is concerned with addressing patterns of under-representation in higher education. In the UK, this includes those from lower socio-economic groups or working class backgrounds, low participation neighbourhoods and families with no experience of higher education. Women only make up 14% of engineering undergraduates and those from black and minority ethnic groups are also under represented.
The Engineering Subject Centre is a partner on the London Engineering Project which aims to create more people with engineering skills in London and the outcomes will be carried forward by the national STEM Programme.
Read more about Widening Participation
Working with Disabled Students
UK disability legislation requires institutions to anticipate and address the entitlements of disabled students within all policies and practices, as well as respond to their individual requirements as necessary.
The Engineering Subject Centre Guide to ‘Working with Disabled Students (2nd Edition June 2005)’ provides a comprehensive resource on the positive steps engineering departments can take to develop good practice to ensure that quality engineering education is available to all who can benefit from it.
Case studies and other resources can be found by searching below.
Read more about Working with Disabled students
Student Retention
Student retention in the UK refers to the extent to which learners remain within a HE institution, and complete a programme in a pre-determined time-period. The Engineering Subject Centre is working to support departments to improve the student learning experience and hence increase retention of engineering students.
The teaching guide Enhancing the First Year Experience for Engineering Students provides a starting point for those with responsibility for recruitment and retention.
Read more about Student Retention
Mathematics for Engineering
Mathematics is a key area of all engineering courses and concern about entry level mathematics means that departments are developing strategies to support their students.
The MathsTEAM project published case studies of how diagnostic testing has been used, examples of mathematics being taught in an engineering context and the follow-up maths support offered by engineering and science departments in the UK. The STEM Subject Centres have commissioned a guide to the current content of UK pre-university mathematics courses and we hope to publish this soon.
Read more about Mathematics for Engineering
Equality Act 2010: Briefing for the HE sector
Equality Challenge Unit (ECU) has produced an Equality Act 2010 briefing for the higher education sector. The briefing summarises key issues contained in the Act that institutions need to be aware of. It also provides information on the introduction of protected characteristics, prohibited conduct, admission and treatment of students, employment, provision of services and positive action. The briefing also looks at the specific sections of the act relating to each protected characteristic.
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