{"version":"1.0","type":"rich","provider_name":"Acast","provider_url":"https://acast.com","height":250,"width":700,"html":"<iframe src=\"https://embed.acast.com/$/62b5dbfa9a5a480014bf745b/693c40fdf817d7dbe865e8d2?\" frameBorder=\"0\" width=\"700\" height=\"250\"></iframe>","title":"Is university for everyone? Access, affordability and opportunities | Episode 49","thumbnail_width":200,"thumbnail_height":200,"thumbnail_url":"https://open-images.acast.com/shows/62b5dbfa9a5a480014bf745b/1765556102065-7df2148f-024e-40ca-a774-d25c3f96ceb5.jpeg?height=200","description":"<p><strong>Episode 49 – Is university for everyone? Access, affordability and opportunities</strong></p><p><br></p><p>In this episode, we tackle a big and often debated question: is university really for everyone? But before we tell you all about it, check out a fantastic resource we didn't have time to mention - the Sutton Trust Contextual Offer tool (<a href=\"https://suttontrust.notion.site/2025-Contextual-Offers-Tool-for-UK-Universities-4f6da89f96a441828a0a0d31e92e38cd\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">2025 Contextual Offers Tool for UK Universities</a>)</p><p><br></p><p>Back to the episode now. We're explore what <em>widening participation</em> actually means in practice, why it matters, and how universities and organisations work to make higher education more accessible for students from underrepresented backgrounds.</p><p><br></p><p>Andrew Hunter, Senior Programmes Manager at The Sutton Trust, joins Claire Mula, a Law with Business student and aspiring solicitor, alongside host Dr Leah Brooks, Chief Operating Officer at Future Frontline, to unpack the realities behind access, affordability and opportunity.</p><p><br></p><p><strong>We’ll cover:</strong></p><ul><li>What widening participation means and how students are identified as eligible for support</li><li>Why widening participation is so important for universities and organisations like the Sutton Trust</li><li>The types of support and opportunities available to help students from widening participation backgrounds succeed</li><li>University events and programmes designed specifically for widening participation students</li></ul><p><br></p><p><strong>The conversation then shifts to lived student experience, with honest reflections on:</strong></p><ul><li>What feels most challenging when arriving at university as a first-generation student</li><li>Whether university is becoming too expensive for students from low-income families</li><li>One message for students questioning whether university is for them</li><li>Whether university is truly for everyone</li><li>How accessible top universities really are, regardless of background</li></ul><p><br></p><p>This episode offers a balanced, practical discussion for students, parents and educators navigating questions around fairness, access and the future of higher education.</p><p><br></p><p><strong>Featuring:</strong></p><p>Andrew Hunter, Senior Programmes Manager at The Sutton Trust</p><p>Claire Mula, Law with Business student  and an aspiring solicitor</p><p>Dr Leah Brooks, Chief Operating Officer at Future Frontline and Uni Guide Podcast host</p><p><br></p><p><strong>Students, Parents, Carers and Teachers </strong>- please access these <strong>FREE</strong> resources:</p><p><br></p><p><strong>UniTasterDays.com</strong></p><p><a href=\"https://unitasterdays.com/students/\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">The Students' Guide to University Brochure</a></p><p><a href=\"https://www.unitasterdays.com/parents/\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">The Parents’ Guide to University Brochure</a></p><p><a href=\"https://www.unitasterdays.com/teachers/\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">The Teachers' Guide to University Brochure</a></p><p><a href=\"https://www.unitasterdays.com/event-incentives/\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">University event incentive platform</a></p><p><a href=\"https://www.unitasterdays.com/jargonbuster/\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">University Jargon Buster</a></p><p><a href=\"https://www.unitasterdays.com/university-subject-guide-videos/\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">University Subject Guide Videos</a></p><p><a href=\"https://www.unitasterdays.com/listen-to-the-university-guide-podcast/\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">The Uni Guide Podcast - all episodes</a></p>","author_name":"The Uni Guide Podcast"}