Widening Participation Student Advisory Panel

Make a difference.

Make your mark and gain valuable experience as a member of the Widening Participation Student Advisory Panel (WPSAP).

What is the WPSAP?
How to apply

What is the Widening Participation Student Advisory Panel?

The University of Kent has an established Widening Participation Student Advisory Panel (WPSAP). The Panel consists of current students who are passionate about equality of opportunity in Higher Education throughout the student lifecycle, and have an interest in contributing to the decisions which underpin the University’s outreach work and strategic direction.  The WPSAP has also been used to inform on some of the University's wider decision making, such as the ongoing Kent2030 work.

The WPSAP informs the University’s Access & Participation Plan, which outlines our commitment to reducing gaps in equality of access and success for students who are currently underrepresented in Higher Education. 

Through our outreach work, we work with students in secondary schools across Kent and Medway, as well as adult learners. In order to understand the work the WPSAP advises upon, panel members are expected to have an understanding of, and be familiar with, the English (and Kent) education system.  

If you have any questions about the Widening Participation Student Advisory Panel, please email wppanel@kent.ac.uk

What to Expect

Meetings are held on the Canterbury Campus (with the option of attending virtually if required) and usually last 2 hours. The WPSAP will meet at least once per term.  

Successful applicants will be invited to a training session on 21 October.  Training is compulsory, however it will be recorded for those unable to attend on this date.

Below are the dates for the 2025/26 WPSAP meetings:

  • 28th October 10:00 - 12:00
  • 20th Jan 10:00 - 12:00 
  • 28th April 10:00 - 12:00 

Additional meetings may be held as and where required.

Please note; this is not a contracted or salaried position, however Tier 4 visa restrictions still apply.

Students are remunerated for their time by way of a £10 gift voucher for every hour of attendance at meetings (maximum of 2 hours), plus an additional 1 hour for necessary preparation to include reading prior to the meetings.  

Panel members are also be eligible for 20 Employability Points throughout the academic year for their involvement on the WPSAP.

Who can apply

Our panel is made up of students on undergraduate and postgraduate degrees, from a range of courses and years to create a diverse and inclusive panel. Any student who is currently enrolled in an undergraduate or postgraduate degree at the University of Kent can apply to be part of the panel.

As the WPSAP will inform on the University's Access & Participation Plan, we particularly welcome applications from students who are underrepresented in HE:

  • Mature students (aged 21 or over on starting a current undergraduate degree)
  • Students from a global majority background (Black, Asian & minority ethnic)
  • Students currently studying at the Medway campus
  • Students that are male
  • Students who are the first in their family to go to university (not including siblings)
  • Students who are young carers
  • Students studying without the support of their family
  • Care leavers or care experienced students
  • Students who are unaccompanied asylum seekers or refugees
  • Students from the Gypsy, Traveller, Roma, Showman or Boater communities
  • Students who are part of a military family
  • Students in receipt of the Kent Financial Support Package 
  • Students from POLAR or TUNDRA Quintiles 1 or 2 (check your postcode).


Role Description

How to Apply

We have approximately 10 positions available for Widening Participation Student Advisory Panel members. Applications open on Monday 29 September and will close at the end of the day (midnight) on Thursday 9 October. Interviews will take place the week beginning 12 October.
Application Form