Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health WP team has won a national award from Health Education England for its research into the performance and experience of Widening Participation students compared to non-widening participation students. The project looked at student’s end of year examination results and these were compared across five disciplines: Medicine, Dentistry, Nursing, Psychology and Pharmacy, with over 2,000 students being compared.

The research showed that no significant differences were found in scores across all years and all subject areas. A supporting qualitative study outlined the difficulties faced by WP students studying health related courses and showed that WP students fail to reach their full potential due to competing demands and could achieve more. The results of this study have been used by the Faculty to design interventions with WP students to support them during their studies.

Health Education England said that the Faculty had “set a very high bench mark for WP research!” The award was accepted on behalf of the Faculty by Dr Shaun Speed, at the Houses of Parliament.

More information about the awards is available in this publication.