Widening Participation Funding

De Montfort University (DMU) has a long record in supporting the widening participation agenda and has significant experience in meeting the needs of underrepresented groups both pre-application and post entry. We believe that every student should also have the chance to take part in international opportunities and we would like to support high-achieving students from underrepresented groups to make the best of their time at DMU.

Widening Participation Funding (£200)

For the 2024-25 academic year, our aim is to support 100 DMU students with Widening Participation Funding, which will be paid as a £200 supplement to the DMU Global bursary.

Funding stats

Here are some statistics that show who has benefited from our Widening Participation Funding in the past:

93%

Students were from low-income households

63%

Student were from ethnic minority backgrounds

29%

Students declared a disability or medical condition

Eligibility criteria

All students offered a place on an DMU Global trip that belong to one or more of the categories listed below are eligible apply for Widening Participation Funding:

  • Students from low-income backgrounds
  • Students who have a disability or medical condition
  • Students from a background in care
  • Mature students
  • Students from low-participation neighbourhoods (where very few people go on to higher education) with home address that fall within quintile 1 or 2 as per the Office for Students postcode data
  • Students whose parents did not go to university
  • Students from an ethnic minority

Successful applicants are able to receive the funding once during their studies at DMU. Please note that the funding is limited, and the selection process is competitive. Successful funding applications for academic-led trips will be given priority over extra-curricular opportunities.

Student stories

Interested in learn about how this funding has helped DMU students? Check out the student case studies and videos below.

Sharelle’s visit to the Première Vision trade show in Paris
Imogen’s Contour Fashion trip to Los Angeles
Charley‘s Biomedical Science trip to Dubai
Benjamin exploring Comic Arts in Brussels


Application process and deadlines

DMU Global overseas trips will take place between September 2024 and August 2025. There will be three rounds of trip applications, that have corresponding Widening Participation Funding application windows that students can apply for, according to the following schedule:

Application round Trip dates Widening Participation Funding
application dates
11 September – 31 December 2024Tuesday 7 May –
Tuesday 11 June 2024 (9am)
21 January – 30 April 2025Monday 30 September –
Monday 4 November 2024 (9am)
31 May – 31 August 2025Monday 13 January –
Monday 17 February 2025 (9am)

As a part of your application you will need to:

  • Meet the general eligibility criteria of being accepted for a DMU Global trip.
  • Show that you’re eligible for the widening participation funding (see eligibility criteria above).
  • Provide accurate information about your financial situation.
  • Clearly explain why you are in need of support and how you will benefit from taking part in the opportunity.
  • Confirm that you are happy to support with ambassadorial and promotional activities during or after returning from your trip.

Once the funding application deadline has passed, a panel will review and make a decision on your application based on the points mentioned above and on the quality and content of your supporting statements. Our aim is to review all funding applications in a fair and transparent manner.

You will be notified of the outcome of your application within 7 days of the application deadline. Successful applicants will be required to complete some additional steps, including updating their bank details via the MyBank Account tile and provide content to DMU Global about their overseas experience to support with marketing and promotion of the programme.

Before the Widening Participation Funding can be processed, successful participants will need to have formally accepted their place on the trip – this includes paying the student contribution (your trip payment). Please note the Widening Participation Funding is paid directly into your nominated bank account. Therefore, students should not rely on this funding to pay the student contribution.

Please contact us if you have any queries regarding the application process.