Widening Participation Bursary and Support

Professional Graduate Certificate in Post Compulsory Education and Training / Professional Certificate in Post Compulsory Education and Training

Updated	November 2025
Contact	Beth Hughes

In this document:

1. To apply

The Widening Participation Bursary and Support is available to PgCE/ProfCERT students only.

To apply, students must belong to one of the following under- represented groups in teaching and have a confirmed place on the course.

You have a recognised disability, under the Equality Act 2010
You come from a looked after/care background as defined by the Welsh Government as being Children looked after by local authorities
You are from an ethnic minority group under the Equality Act 2010 and in line with the Initial teacher education black Asian and minority ethnic recruitment plan
You identify as a gender other than male/female
You are from a family of Gypsy or Romany travellers, under the Equality Act 2010
The first in their families to study in Higher Education
From an area of deprivation as set by the Welsh Index of Multiple Deprivation (WIMD). Swansea has 11 wards ranked in the lowest 10% and these students will be eligible. Students can find out if their postcode matches by visiting: Data Unit Wales
You have caring responsibility and are aged 25 or younger as defined under the College Young Adult Carers Policy

2. Evidence examples

Examples of documents that can be used as evidence for a Widening Participation Application.

Evidence of benefits or a benefits assessment for a disability
A letter from a consultant/GP
A letter from a recognised source [Council, benefits, bill] with your name and address
A letter from the Local Authority in relation to previous care/Gypsy/Romany status
Evidence from a student finance application e.g. Student Finance Wales

3. Support

The support that you are being offered is:

Focussed support strategies to increase diversity

Extended induction
Programme Leader to introduce the course, college, and workload. Introductions to the support staff available to the students will made during this time and will include, Library, HE Team and Support Officer.

Access to a Widening Participation [WP] mentor
As a part time Student, you do not have a tutor as such, but we do provide a lot of support within the course. As part of this bursary, you will have access to a mentor who will support you in your studies and act as a tutor. They will also be able to signpost additional support services if they are needed.

4. £250 Bursary

Students who meet the threshold criteria in one or more of the six categories listed above will receive a bursary of £250 per year.

(Please note, if you have an outstanding tuition fee debt that needs to be paid, for example the £210 difference between the tuition fee loan and the course costs, then this amount may be deducted from the Bursary you receive).