York St John University: Every Student Counts
Since our founding in the heart of York in 1841, our socially conscious commitment and mission has always been to ensure that students from all walks of life are supported and inspired to reach their full potential. Originally a teacher training college for the children of local working families, today, York St John University is home to over 7,000 students and 900 staff from all over the world.
This is a place that puts students and their ability to succeed right at the centre of everything we do – our rise to 27th in the country for overall satisfaction in the latest National Student Survey (NSS) reflects that. It is a place on a positive trajectory – highlighted by one the biggest rises in this year’s Sunday Times Good University Guide, climbing 21 places. York St John is a place with an incredible sense of community where people really matter. It is this that helps students and staff feel that they are welcomed, valued and belong here and out of which grows the confidence, curiosity and resilience to take on the world.
Accomplishing these goals at a time when the UK higher education sector has faced unprecedented change and uncertainty is testament to the University’s positive and proactive response. As the number of young people going to university in the UK reaches a record 50%, universities find themselves operating in an increasingly competitive environment and student recruitment activity and the admissions process reflect this. While many universities take a broad approach to making unconditional offers to bolster student numbers, York St John University has taken a significant step away from this route to recruitment with the introduction of its contextual offer scheme.
Recognised by the higher education regulator, Office for Students, for its ‘radical’ approach, the scheme takes careful and open consideration of the wider background factors that many university applicants may have to overcome before making them an offer of a place at university. It appreciates that where someone grew up, which school they attended, whether they spent time in care, have a disability or are the first in their family to go to university, are all potential barriers to accessing higher education and the opportunities that follow. Early indicators show that the offer scheme is having a positive impact on the admission of students from different backgrounds and that those with reduced or unconditional offers based on these factors do as well academically as their peers.
The contextual offer scheme is one of several positive, holistic actions we take at York St John University to improve social mobility which are included in more detail in the following report. We recognise that the challenge to tackle inequality is ongoing, and that we have a vital role to play in improving opportunities for those who study here and communities in our region and beyond.
Principles of fairness and social justice have always and will continue to define our education, research and community engagement and we look forward to sharing our insight and working in partnership to improve social mobility for all.
Rob Hickey
Chief Operating Officer, York St John University