Leeds+ initiative launched for widening participation students
The Leeds+ support package is being expanded to encompass more students from 'widening participation' backgrounds.
In 2013, with the support of generous alumni and friends, the University awarded over 200 widening participation scholarships to students from lower-income backgrounds. These highly competitive, highly prized scholarships are worth between £1,000 and £10,000 a year to recipients.
The scholarships include access to a unique package of additional opportunities known as 'Leeds+'. This offers co-curricular activities designed to maximise student retention and success, and directs scholars to valuable resources such as LeedsforLife and the Careers Centre."Winning a scholarship had a huge impact on my confidence and made me feel as though I deserved a place in university education." Centenary Alumni Scholar, Sociology and Spanish
"It helped me get involved with students who had a similar background to mine, making me feel like I am part of a community at the University." Achievement Scholar, Theology and Religious Studies
Leeds+ has grown out of our scholar support network, supported by the Careers Centre, Student Opportunities and Enhancement, and Alumni and Development, and has proved successful: our pre-entry, transition, retention and skills-development work has reduced the drop-out rate for scholars from 11.5% in 2006 to 5.2% for the most recent cohort.
Leeds+ is now being expanded to encompass more students from widening participation backgrounds, including care-leavers and those coming to Leeds through widening participation access routes.
Posted in: Student education