Widening Participation case studies
Michael, Law graduate and care leaver
Michael from Plymouth spent 15 years in care being brought up by foster parents.
From an early age he wanted to go to University and valued getting an education, although he believes children in care have to battle a lot of stigma.
Sophy, BSc Sports and Health Sciences – Mature student and parent with physical and learning disabilities
Sophy grew up in care living in multiple homes and attending several schools and was one of the first children in care in Devon to go on to Higher Education.
Matt, law student and first generation HE
Matt grew up in a farming community in rural mid Devon and is the first generation of his family to go on to higher education.
He completed his A levels at a local state school in Crediton and while there was accepted on the University of Exeter’s Pathways to Law scheme.
Katie, Law student and care leaver
Katie grew up in North Devon and didn’t go into care until she was a teenager.
At school she had a supportive group of teachers who helped her to make the most of her education despite having no self-belief.
Matthew Channon, Law lecturer and first generation HE
Matthew joined Exeter Law School as a Lecturer from the University of Southampton in September 2017.
He comes from a working class background and went to a state school in Exeter, where he struggled with self-confidence.
Isobel, first-generation university student
Isobel, a first-generation university student, talks about the University of Exeter supported her through her journey of becoming a Law student, primarily through the support that she received through the Exeter Scholar’s ‘Pathways to law’ programme.
Lilian, mature student with caring responsibilities
Lilian, a mature student with caring responsibilities, talks about the challenges she faced in balancing family commitments with her academic studies, and the financial and academic support that she received.
Jasmine, first-generation university student
Jasmine is a first-generation university student from a low-income, single-parent background with additional caring responsibilities. She talks about the obstacles she faced in accessing higher education and how the University of Exeter provided her with financial support to help her through her studies.
Sajjad, PhD student and asylum seeker
Sajjad, now a PhD student, came to the University of Exeter as an asylum seeker and faced significant challenges, but received the Sanctuary Scholarship which enabled him to continue with his studies. He encourages students in a similar position to talk to the university and see how they may be able to access additional support.
