EDI in a global market

As institutions continue to compete for, and recruit, staff and students globally, and some launch campuses and partnerships overseas, their student and staff communities are becoming increasingly diverse in terms of race, nationality, religious and cultural backgrounds.

The global market place

Institutions need to embed EDI into their strategies, practices and cultures in order that all staff and students feel included and supported to succeed – as well as providing the best preparation for the future careers of students. Additionally, UK-domiciled students need to work effectively in a global context when they finish their studies.

Increasing student diversity

Widening access to groups of students, under-represented in HE, is a strategic priority across the UK. Retention, attainment and employability of minority groups is also important. Nationally, certain groups achieve lower attainment or are less likely to go into graduate level employment. This has the potential to adversely impact on the HEI’s overall success rates.

Institutions set widening access targets within Office for Students (OfS) access agreements in England, the Scottish Funding Council (SFC) outcome agreements in Scotland, Higher Education Funding Council for Wales (HEFCW) fee and access plans in Wales and the Department for the Economy launched Access to success in Northern Ireland in 2012. Delivering effectively on equality is therefore paramount to meeting these targets.

Find out more about the importance of EDI

 The importance of EDI

Find out more about of the challenges for student access, retention and success.

 Student inequalities