Coventry University top in the Midlands for student support

Coventry University has been ranked the top university in the Midlands for its work supporting students from disadvantaged backgrounds to ensure they achieve success in employment or further study.

Figures published today by the Office for Fair Access (OFFA) – the independent body established to promote fair access to higher education – show that Coventry spends 10.8% of its tuition fee income on work to support its students through their courses and onto employment, which is more than twice the national average.

Coventry University’s expenditure in this area, which includes dedicated support centres and activities such as induction programmes and student mentoring, also puts it in the top 10 nationally.

The University has previously won acclaim for its pioneering work establishing a maths centre on campus, which offers support seven days a week to students on any course who need help with any aspect of numeracy.

The centre receives 6,000 visits from students each year, and in 2011 it was awarded the prestigious Times Higher Education accolade for ‘Outstanding Support for Students’ in conjunction with Loughborough University.

Vice-chancellor Professor Madeleine Atkins said:

Universities are investing a great deal to improve access to higher education and support students from disadvantaged communities, so it is particularly pleasing to see that Coventry University’s excellent work in this area is being recognised.

Following on so soon after our latest league table success, the results really do highlight the value of our continued investment to ensure students from all backgrounds continue to apply to university and receive strong levels of support while they study.

Earlier this month Coventry University rose 13 places to 33rd in the Guardian University Guide 2014 – its highest ever position – and it ranked in the country’s top 20 for the quality of teaching, as rated by students.

For further information, please contact Alex Roache, external press and media relations officer, Coventry University, on +44 (0)24 7679 5050 or email alex.roache@coventry.ac.uk.