The University of Wolverhampton has shown it has the right prescription for inclusivity after ranking third in the UK for BAME attainment gaps in its School of Pharmacy.

Latest figures from Universities UK have shown that there is a still an attainment gap of 13% nationally between the proportion of white students achieving a higher (first or 2.1 classification degree and their Black, Asian and minority ethnic (BAME) counterparts.

The Office for Students (OfS) has tasked universities with eliminating these gaps by 2025.
Leading trade magazine, The Pharmaceutical Journal recently evaluated data provided by the Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA) and highlights the University’s third place position among UK Schools of Pharmacy in its awarding gap table.

The University of Wolverhampton shows a negative awarding gap of -2% which means that BAME students are attaining First and 2.1 Master’s of Pharmacy (MPharm) degrees at approximately the same rate as white students – one of only five Schools in the country with a negative or zero awarding gap figure.

Dr Colin Brown, Head of the Wolverhampton School of Pharmacy, said: “We are really proud of our longstanding tradition of positive action in the recruitment of, support for, and development of students and staff who represent all groups within society.

“We recognise the needs and challenges faced by all of our students and we use teaching methods which breakdown barriers, promote inclusivity and develop the skills and attributes needed for success.”

Lanna Zouabi, a second year MPharm student, said: “The course itself is brilliant. There is so much to do, so many people to talk to and learn from, especially the support given by the staff to improve your studies – they are always so open and friendly.

“I’d like to work in a pharmaceutical company, taking their products around the world, combining the two things I love together – pharmacy and travelling.”

The University of Wolverhampton has invested £1/2 million in interactive teaching spaces offering Pharmacy students flexible learning. First, second and third year students studying on the MPharm course have benefited from the £250,000 Team Based Learning facilities at the University’s City Campus. It has also invested £250,000 in a new Pharmacy Practice Suite to support clinical aspects of the course.