Widening Participation and Evaluation (PGCert)

You'll need a 2:1 degree in any subject.

Alternatively, you'll need a minimum of two years' experience supporting widening participation strategic objectives within a higher or further education institution. You will be expected to evidence this experience through a CV and professional reference as part of your application. 

We have designed this course to suit professionals working in higher or further education settings, both in the UK and internationally.

If you're working in another sector, you can still apply. However, you should be working within a professional setting where you can apply your knowledge, understanding and skills.

English language requirements

If English isn't your first language, you'll need to complete an International English Language Testing System (IELTS) to demonstrate your competence in English. You'll need all of the following scores as a minimum:

We accept other English language tests. Find out which English language tests we accept.

If you don’t meet the English language requirements, you can achieve the level you need by completing a pre-sessional English programme before you start your course.

Pre-masters

If you don’t meet the academic requirements, you can complete a pre-master's programme through our partnership with OnCampus. Learn more about the programmes available.

Got a question?

Please contact us if you're not sure you have the right experience or qualifications to get onto this course.

Email: [email protected]
Tel: +44(0)23 8059 5000

Modules

The course consists of 4 compulsory modules.

Lectures, seminars and workshops

The course is implemented online. You will attend an orientation 'bootcamp' day at the start of the course, either in-person or online. 

The standard pattern of online teaching for modules will include either live or recorded lectures, seminars and workshops, which are delivered with a blended learning approach. These will cover key topics around:

• widening participation policy, theory and practice
• educational teaching methods
• evaluation of widening participation initiatives

You'll reflect on your own practices, as well as those of your institution, through a mentoring and coaching approach.

Feedback and assessments

You'll receive feedback throughout the course, initially through a combination of peer and tutor discussion during seminars and workshops.

For your assessments, you'll be expected to engage critically with material explored across the programme. You'll also be expected to develop useful outputs that will reflect on your own practice within your institution. 

Assessments will include:

• critically analysing widening participation policy, theory and practice
• completing both core and enhanced theory of change documents
• critically appraising your own existing widening participation interventions
• designing new or redesigning existing widening participation initiatives
• developing an evaluative framework
• contributing to wikis and discussions that form part of an emerging community of practice

Assessments will provide the foundation for further development into robust business cases to be implemented in your institution.

Want more detail? See all the modules in the course.

Learning

Learning and teaching methods include:

• live and pre-recorded online lectures
• live, interactive online seminars
• workshops
• reflection on your personal and institutional practices

Assessment

We'll assess you through:

• short formative assignments
• longer summative assignments

Academic Support

We'll assign you a personal tutor, who will support you to question your practice, ideas and assumptions.

We have designed this course to help you review and develop your practice in the context of widening participation in education.

You will gain skills, knowledge and experience which could help you to:

• design and deliver widening participation initiatives
• develop strategy
• shape and inspire organisational change

We're a top 20 UK university for employability (QS Graduate Employability Rankings 2022). Our Careers, Employability and Student Enterprise team will support you throughout your time as a student and for up to 5 years after graduation. This support includes:

• work experience schemes
• CV/resume and interview skills workshops
• networking events
• careers fairs attended by top employers
• a wealth of volunteering opportunities
• study abroad and summer school opportunities

We have a thriving entrepreneurship culture. You'll be able to take advantage of:

• our dedicated start-up incubator, Futureworlds
• a wide variety of enterprise events run throughout the year
• our partnership in the world’s number 1 business incubator, SETsquared

Tuition fees

Fees for a year's study:

• UK students pay £4,000.
• EU and international students pay £4,000.

Check fees for other versions of this course.

What your fees pay for

Your tuition fee covers the full cost of tuition and any assessments. The fee you pay will remain the same each year from when you start studying this course. This includes if you suspend and return.

Find out how to pay your tuition fees.

Accommodation and living costs, such as travel and food, are not included in your tuition fees. There may also be extra costs for assessment retakes.

Explore:

• accommodation costs
• living costs
• budgeting advice
• fees, charges and expenses regulations

Accommodation and living costs, such as travel and food, are not included in your tuition fees. There may also be extra costs for retake and professional exams.

Explore:

• accommodation costs
• living costs
• budgeting advice
• fees, charges and expenses regulations

Postgraduate Master’s Loans (UK nationals only)

This can help with course fees and living costs while you study a postgraduate master's course. Find out if you're eligible.

Funding your postgraduate studies

A variety of additional funding options may be available to help you pay for your master’s study. Both from the University and other organisations.

Funding for EU and international students

Find out about funding you could get as an international student.

1. Use the blue 'apply for this course' button on this page to take you to our postgraduate admissions system.
2. Create an account which gives you access to your own application portal. . 
3. Search for the course you want to apply for.
4. Complete the application form and upload any supporting documents.
5. Pay the £50 application assessment fee, (there are some exemptions, check terms and conditions).
6. Submit your application.

For further details of our admission process, read our step by step guide to postgraduate taught applications.

Application deadlines

Application assessment fee

We’ll ask you to pay a £50 application assessment fee if you’re applying for a postgraduate taught course.

This is an extra one-off charge which is separate to your tuition fees and is payable per application. It covers the work and time it takes us to assess your application. You’ll be prompted to pay when you submit your application which won’t progress until you've paid.

If you're a current or former University of Southampton student, or if you’re applying for certain scholarships, you will not need to pay the fee. PGCE applications through GOV.UK and Master of Research (MRes) degree applications are also exempt. Find out if you’re exempt on our terms and conditions page.

Single module (CPD) applications

To apply for a single module (CPD), you'll need to fill in a physical application form that you can download from our continuing professional development pages.

Supporting information

When you apply you’ll need to submit a personal statement explaining why you want to take the course. 

You’ll need to include information about: 

• your knowledge of the subject area
• why you want to study a postgraduate qualification in this course
• how you intend to use your qualification

You'll also need to submit two academic references. 

Please include the required paperwork showing your first degree and your IELTS English language test score (if you are a non-native English speaker) with your application. Without these, your application may be delayed.

You may also be asked to provide:

• a reference
• a CV/resume

What happens after you apply

You'll be able to track your application through our online Applicant Record System.

If we offer you a place, you will need to accept the offer within 30 working days. If you do not meet this deadline, we will offer your place to another applicant.

Unfortunately, due to number of applications we receive, we may not be able to give you specific feedback on your application if you are unsuccessful.

Equality and diversity

We treat and select everyone in line with our Equality and Diversity Statement.

Got a question?

Please contact us if you're not sure you have the right experience or qualifications to get onto this course.

Email: [email protected]
Tel: +44(0)23 8059 5000