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Inclusive Education Framework: Awarding Gaps: Definitions and Targets

Awarding Gaps: Definitions and Targets

Awarding gaps are structural inequalities in which students graduate with a 1st/2i (a 'good degree' in the UK system). The University of Hull sees closing awarding gaps as an ethical and moral issue, and essential to achieving the institutional vision of a brighter, fairer, carbon neutral future.

Awarding Gaps are calculated as follows:

Awarding Gap % = % of students in reference group graduating with 1st/2i - % of students in comparison group graduating with 1st/2i

Awarding Gap calculation

For example, if 74% of white students and only 60% of Black students graduate with a 1st or 2i, this would be expressed as an awarding gap of 14%. 

The University has made formal commitments to closing four different awarding gaps, via our Access and Participation Plan (APP) agreed with the Office for Students. 

University of Hull (UoH) Awarding Gap Targets

Demographic group defined in APP

Reference group

Sector baseline

UoH baseline 2017-18

UoH target 2024-25

POLAR quintile 1 (areas of lowest participation in HE)

POLAR quintile 5 (areas of highest participation in HE)

9.5%

15.2%

7%

Mature students (aged 21 or over at start of programme)

Young students

10.3%

14.8%

7%

Black, Asian and Mixed Ethnicity students

- Black students

- Asian students

White students

13.0%

- 23.1%

- 8.5%

9.5%

- 10.4%

- 8.5%

5%

Disabled students

Non-disabled students

2.8%

4.2%

0%