The University of Worcester has received a prestigious award for its efforts in promoting diversity and inclusion in higher education.

The accolade comes as part of the Purpose Coalition’s Breaking Down Barriers Awards, which is dedicated to celebrating institutions for their efforts towards providing equal opportunities and enhancing social mobility.

The University of Worcester scooped the award for Achieving Equality Through Diversity and Inclusion.

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This achievement recognises the university's efforts to facilitate opportunities to acquire superior education irrespective of socio-economic situations.

The university's commitment to inclusivity is further reinforced with the formation of partnerships to foster inclusion and promote ascending social values.

Throughout the 21st century approximately 97 per cent of the university's students are from state-educated backgrounds, while two out of every five students gained admission to the university through non-traditional qualifications such as BTECs, a foundation year or access to higher education qualifications.

The university's has also developed the UK's first indoor sports arena designed to facilitate the participation of wheelchair athletes.

The establishment of The Hive, Europe's first fully integrated university and public library, further amplifies this commitment.

Vice chancellor and chief executive, Professor David Green CBE DL, said: "We are delighted to win a Purpose Coalition Breaking Down Barriers Award.

"This is tribute to the dedication and inspirational teaching of so many colleagues over many years."

The university was described as an "engine of opportunity" in the 2023 National Teaching Excellence Framework report.

Worcester also has a top rating for both primary and secondary teacher training from Ofsted, with the inspector's report reading: "Trainees benefit from an exceptional learning experience at the University of Worcester. This experience instils in them a deep-rooted commitment to making a difference to the lives of the children in the communities they serve.”

Justine Greening, chair of the purpose coalition and former cabinet minister and education secretary, announced the winners of the Breaking Down Barriers Awards.

She said: "Our winners are leading the way and I want to congratulate them personally for the commitment they have shown to spreading equality of opportunity."