Student Voice

The University of Cumbria Access and Participation Plan, sets out how staff will work together to support students with the ability and desire to go to the University of Cumbria to have equality of opportunity to succeed at all stages with us, whatever their characteristics and circumstances. This Plan is accessible to you, the public and approved by our regulator the Office for Students. You can read the summary on our website.

We have an Access and Participation Steering Group that leads on monitoring the progress and impact of our commitments in the Plan. The Steering Group has representation from the Students’ Union, Leaders in Professional Services and Academic Institutes.

Why is it important?

Through data you can find in the Office for Students access and participation dashboard, we know that some student groups at the University of Cumbria are less likely to have equality of opportunity than their peers based on their characteristics. These include:

• Mature students (aged 21 and over)
• Care leaver students
• Black British students
• Students whose home address is in an area with low participation to university, particularly males
• Students with disabilities including mental health conditions

We are working to improve the experiences and outcomes for these students, to ensure that they have equality of opportunity at UoC. To do that we need our students’ insights.

Matthew graduated from his degree in Psychology and received an award for his contribution to the Student Advisory Panel in 2026.

Why did you apply to be on the Student Advisory Panel?

I applied because after a difficult enrolment as a mature student I wanted to help shape positive change for current and future students. I felt it was an opportunity to ensure students' experiences and perspectives were represented in university decision-making, particularly around equality of opportunity and inclusion.

Describe what a typical meeting might involve.

Student Advisory panel meetings involve discussing prominent issues affecting students, such as targeted communication, belonging, support services and university policies. We work collaboratively with staff to share our experiences, provide constructive feedback and suggest practical improvements that can make a difference across the university. 

What have you gained from your experience so far?

Working on the panel has developed my confidence, communication and critical thinking skills. It has given me a greater understanding of how student feedback can influence strategic decisions and create meaningful change across the university, and enhanced my understanding of what diversity and inclusion means for students within a Higher Education setting. 

What are you proud of from your contribution to the panel?

I am most proud of contributing to work that has helped shape university policies and initiatives around belonging, accessibility and equality of opportunity. Presenting the Student Advisory Panel's findings on belonging at the University's Learning and Teaching Conference was a particular highlight, as it gave me the opportunity to share students' experiences directly with staff and contribute to discussions around improving student experience. 

What is your advice to students considering applying for the panel?

To not worry if you have never done anything like this before, your experiences and opinions really do matter at the University of Cumbria. The panel is a welcoming and supportive environment where every perspective is valued. It is also a great opportunity to make a genuine difference while developing valuable skills.

What are your plans after graduation?

After graduation, I hope to study for a Master of Research (MRes), exploring how societal norms around masculinity influence men's mental health help-seeking behaviours in non-urban communities. Ultimately, I would like my research to contribute to reducing stigma and improving access to support.

The Panel has provided our reflections on further support needed across all stages of being a student at the University of Cumbria and directly provided feedback to staff at the university in the teams of:

• Admissions
• Disability Services
• Student Services Systems

which has contributed to:

• variations made to the Access and Participation Plan, that were since approved by the Office for Students in 2026. These included:
1. the pilot of a Student Opportunity Fund from 2025-2028 for students to apply to up to £500 towards an opportunity to support their employability in the future
2. changes made in the Student Disability Support Plan process, to ensure that they are cocreated with the student
3. a university-wide project focussing on current student communications
• Refreshed staff training for the Admissions team in supporting applications and advise to students
• changes in development for the ‘You Report, We Support’ section on My Cumbria

The Panel has directly provided feedback to staff at the university in the teams of:

• Academic Registry
• Careers

which has contributed to:

• the equality impact assessment of the student placements policy
• the careers team service for students

We have also had the opportunity to present at the annual Learning and Teaching Conference at Lancaster campus on our discussions and insights on communicating targeted support to students and belonging.

Our audience included:

• the Pro Vice Chancellor (Student Journey and Academic Registrar) who is leading work on student communications and systems
• the Dean of Student Success who leads the Access and Participation Plan Strategy
• staff who are represented on the Intersectional Students’ Success Working Group, who work closely with the Student Advisory Panel

We are seeking students to our advisory panel who are enrolled on and studying for either their first undergraduate degree or a postgraduate degree at one of our campuses, with current home-fee status and identify with one or more of the following characteristics:

• are estranged from your parents
• a care leaver or care experienced
• A disabled student (including those with a mental health condition)
• Black heritage
• Aged 21 and over when beginning their degree
• In receipt of the Cumbria Bursary
• Were eligible for Free School Meals at some point in the last six years during their secondary education.

Applications are now closed for 2025/26. Once applications open again, we will share the application form.

If you have any questions about the role, please contact: appstudentengagement@cumbria.ac.uk