Widening Access to Higher Education

We are committed to ensuring that all individuals, no matter your background, have access to higher education through our Access Excellence approach. We want to enable talented individuals from under-represented groups to achieve your ambitions, whatever your circumstances. This commitment is demonstrated by our widening access and student support initiatives detailed below.

*Am I a Wider Access Student?

We consider you to be a Wider Access student if you fall into one of the below underrepresented groups: In addition, you may also be entitled to the Care Leavers Grant through the Student Awards Agency for Scotland (SAAS), which can assist with paying for accommodation costs during the holiday period. Our Care Leaver/ Estranged Student Advisor is here to support your transition to university and assist you with any concerns or enquiries you may have throughout your application and academic journey.

www.rgu.ac.uk/careestranged

Live in a target MD20/ MD40 postcode area as defined by the Scottish Index of Multiple Deprivation; Have spent time in care; Are estranged; Have attended a Scottish school which has low numbers of students progressing to higher education

Check if you qualify.

Care Experienced and Estranged Students

We are dedicated to providing an accessible student environment for you, including if you have been looked after at home, in residential care, foster care, kinship care or are estranged. If you are a care experienced or estranged student you will be eligible for increased university support including financial support to attend Open Day’s and Applicants’ Days, one to one pre-entry support through the application and admissions process and an enrolment pack.

Minimum Entry Requirements

If you are a prospective student from an under-represented group, you will be eligible for an adjusted entry offer. This means that your circumstances will be considered and you may receive a lower offer rate than the standard entry requirements. All minimum grades are listed on the course information pages, under Entry Requirements and Minimum Entry Requirements. More information can be found at: www.rgu.ac.uk/minimum Scholarships, Support and Discounts

We recognise that the cost to study at university can be challenging, so we offer a number of Access RGU Scholarships across certain subject areas to ease financial barriers and support you in completing your studies. The scholarships are typically awarded in the region of £1,500 to £2,000 per year for undergraduate study. A welcome support pack is offered to all eligible Wider Access students upon enrolment. Packs are usually worth around £250 and include a laptop, a threemonth bus pass, stationery and vouchers for text books and food shopping. In 2020 and 2021, Wider Access students that met the University’s Widening Access criteria received free or discounted accommodation for their first year of study. If you are hoping to attend one of our on-campus events, you may be eligible to apply for the

Access RGU Travel Support

Fund, to help finance your trip. For more information on widening access support and eligibility, visit:

www.rgu.ac.uk/access-rgu