Holy Cross has been a champion of Widening Participation since its establishment in 1878, one of the first Catholic educational institutions serving the whole community in Bury.
Since this time, the theme of opportunity for all has remained a key component of the institution’s vision and is embedded throughout its activities. Following incorporation in 1991 the college expressly partnered with all the schools of Bury regardless of denominational character, and in 1999 we initiated our University Centre. From the outset, widening access and improving participation in higher education has been a crucial part of our mission. Our aim is to promote and provide the opportunity of successful participation in higher education to everyone who can benefit from it. This is vital for social mobility and economic competitiveness and it is also integral to our ethos inherited from the Daughters of the Cross.
Holy Cross has an outstanding track record in Widening Participation being a provider of higher education for a diverse student body including:
We aim to make a significant and distinctive contribution to widening participation through a co-ordinated strategy of advice and guidance, targeted support and provision of entry routes.
We seek to encourage all students with potential to study at Holy Cross, without bias in regard to their educational, cultural, religious or financial background – and we have a range of support and advice to help all to engage with our courses. This includes considerable provision in study skills covering pastoral care, advice and guidance, to help those returning to education or coming from non-conventional routes into higher education.
Holy Cross University Centre
Manchester Road
Bury
Greater Manchester
BL9 9BB
0161 762 4513 or 0161 762 4529
uc@holycross.ac.uk