Access and Participation Statement

Introduction

The London School of Commerce (LSC) is committed to widening participation and access to Higher Education. The School has a proven track record of successfully providing high quality education at an affordable price to students from non-traditional backgrounds for over twenty years. This includes both international and UK/EU students.

The School’s commitment to widening participation is reflected in its mission statement:

“”... to provide a conducive and enriching learning environment for all stakeholders and ensure that the educational provision contributes directly to the educational, economic and cultural development of the host country in which programmes are delivered and in the home countries from which students originate.”

Widening participation is embedded in the School’s strategic approach to the provision of higher education programmes. To this end, the School actively seeks partnerships with Universities, and other awarding organisations which prioritise widening participation and access to Higher Education. Through these strategic partnerships LSC is able to design, develop and deliver programmes which meet the needs of non-traditional entrants from both the UK and overseas.

Access

The School’s portfolio of programmes encourages and supports access to higher education through the provision of foundation programmes which provide progression to the undergraduate honours programmes in Business Management and Health and Social Care. Many students who are successful at the undergraduate level, progress onto the School’s postgraduate programmes. Programmes are available on a full and part-time basis, during the day time and evenings to further assist those in work or with caring responsibilities to return to higher education.

Participation

Through its partnership agreements with several UK universities, LSC continues to establish a clear pathway into higher education. Over 80% of students studying at the School are from non-traditional academic backgrounds and are successfully participating in their programmes. This includes both UK and international students from a wide range of ethnic backgrounds. Applications to study at LSC are received from international students from over 100 different countries.

Success

The success of the School’s access and participation policy is demonstrated by the School’s retention rate for the last three years of 91% [QAA monitoring Report 2018]. Feedback from our alumni indicates that over 90% of graduates are in employment within six months of leaving LSC. The School has a UKVI completion rate of 93%. The positive feedback received from both UK and international students who are currently studying with the School is a further indication of LSC’s success in providing a high-quality learning experience to students who would not traditionally enter higher education.

Progression

Through Assessment and Progression Boards, LSC continually reviews the achievement and progression of students from their first semester of study on a foundation programme to their final year of graduation. Further details of the support offered to students are set out below.

Future Plans

LSC will closely work with the pertinent guidance of Office for Students (OfS) during the implementation of our Access and Participation Statement. LSC has comprehensive measures in place to ensure the equality and diversity in our recruitment and selection process for our students throughout their student journey.

Over the next three years LSC aims to consolidate its success with the recruitment of UK students from non-traditional educational backgrounds, offering them the support they need to be successful in their transition into higher education. The School has plans to make available some of the foundation units to students in the first year of their undergraduate degree thus enabling them to further improve their academic skills and successfully progress through their degree programmes. The School will continue to attract international students from a range of nationalities through its extensive marketing and support network. LSC will continue to offer an open and inclusive learning environment to all students who wish to study with the School.

Admission of students

LSC has an experienced team of marketing and recruitment officers, many of whom are alumni of the School. They provide support to applicants from the day of enquiry through the application process and during enrolment. Marketing officers continue to monitor and support the students they have recruited throughout their studies. They provide general advice and guidance on both academic and pastoral issues. Most importantly they follow-up on absences from class to ensure students receive the necessary support they require to successfully complete their studies. The School’s admissions policy follows the guiding principles for admissions, recruitment and widening access as set out in the advice and guidance for the UK Quality Code for Higher Education

Support for students

An extensive support network is provided through academic tutors, marketing offers (as described above) and a team of teaching assistants. Students are able to discuss academic and assessment issues with the teaching staff and can book one to one sessions with teaching assistants who are familiar with the requirements of the assessments set and with the regulations of the awarding bodies. Advice and guidance for students is available after taught sessions, during tutorials and via email and telephone contact with tutors.

Students also have the opportunity to participate in the development, evaluation and monitoring of the school’s policies through their representation on the School’s deliberative committees, including the Student Staff Liaison Committee, Programme Committee, Academic Board and Council.

Equality and diversity

LSC fully complies with the Equality Act of 2010 in the recruitment of students and is committed to inclusive learning and teaching. Students are requested to notify the School of any specific needs during the application process and they are encouraged to inform their academic and personal tutors of any specific needs which may arise during their programme of study. The School, in conjunction with its University partners, has systems in place for:

1. Individual reasonable adjustments
2. Arrangement of tailored support including Non-Medical Help (NMH) e.g. Note-taking, Study Assistance and/or Mentoring
3. Diagnostic assessment for Specific Learning Differences
4. One-to-one study skills tuition
5. Advice on equipment and access
6. Exam concessions, for example extra time, adapted exam papers or special exam room arrangements
7. Liaison with academic and other university staff and external agencies
8. Referral to professional counselling services

Preparation, review and publication of this statement

This access and participation statement is based on the guidance provided by the Office for Students. (Regulatory Advice 7) and complies with Condition A2 of the Regulatory Advice 3: Registrations of new providers 2019-20. It has been considered by the School’s Academic Board and approved by Council. Students have had an input into this statement through consultation with student representatives who are also members of Academic Board and Council. The statement is published on the LSC website at:

This statement is aligned with the policies for access and participation of our partner institutions. It will be reviewed annually, or as and when it is necessary to update the content.