Inclusive curriculum

An inclusive curriculum recognises students come from a range of different backgrounds. It acknowledges that students differ by age, gender, class, ethnicity, sexual orientation, faith and disability. As a result, an inclusive curriculum caters to students with different learning styles, educational experience and cultural capital. Varying levels of confidence and self-esteem are also considered too.

An inclusive curriculum has many benefits. The main advantages are:

• Improves student retention
• Improves progression and attainment
• Addresses degree awarding gaps
• Improves graduate outcomes and employability.

The importance of an inclusive curriculum at Kingston

At Kingston University, more than half of our students identify as Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME). Around 28% students are from overseas, joining us from over 140 different countries. Students also differ by gender, class, sexual orientation, disability, faith and age.

We recognise the inherent educational value of this diversity. Our inclusive curriculum places the student at the heart of the learning process. Yet it also recognises inclusivity does not mean treating everyone the same.

We have developed a set of design principles to help create our courses. We refer to these design principles as our Inclusive Curriculum Framework. Our staff use this framework to ensure courses are meaningful and relevant to our diverse student body.

Our Inclusive Curriculum Framework defines our academic offer. It promotes a universal approach to course design to improve the experience, skills and attainment of all students.

The framework also puts the student at the centre. As a result, we are moving away from pedagogic practices that disadvantage some of our student groups. By viewing the curriculum from a different perspective, basic assumptions are challenged and changed.

Design principles of the Inclusive Curriculum Framework

At the heart of our Inclusive Curriculum Framework are three fundamental design principles: 

• Create an accessible curriculum
• Enable students to see themselves reflected in the curriculum.

Equip students with the skills to positively contribute to and work in a global and diverse world

The design principles should be used: 

• When undertaking internal subject reviews
• By course teams reviewing their course content
• By individual teachers rethinking their own learning and teaching practice.

The result can be a transformative process for course teams and their students.

Inclusive Curriculum Consultants are Kingston University students who advise on how to make courses more accessible to our diverse student body. They work with course leaders to help develop courses that are accessible, relevant and student focused.

The consultants review study materials such as course handbooks, module guides, online materials and assessment instructions. They then discuss their findings with course leaders.

Engaging with student consultants enables us to better understand and consider how students will engage with course content. We can then adapt material using the Inclusive Curriculum Framework.  

Aims of our Inclusive Curriculum Consultants programme

Our Inclusive Curriculum Consultants were introduced in 2016 as part of an initiative to reduce the Degree Awarding Gap. By making our courses more inclusive and accessible to everyone, we help address the disparity in student achievement.

Our efforts to make a more inclusive curriculum also helps the University achieve its Access and Participation Plan Targets and direct institutional change.

The Inclusive Curriculum Consultants Programme is designed to:

• Support staff to embed inclusion into the curriculum and to reflect on whether their current practice is inclusive
• Promote student engagement and include diverse voices and multiple perspectives in the development of curricula
• Allow students to gain valuable work experience and develop their core skills and competencies in line with our Graduate Attributes for the Kingston Award.

By sharing their diverse voices and perspectives, our students are shaping the very heart of Kingston.

What's it like to be an Inclusive Curriculum Consultant?

Inclusive Curriculum Consultants gain valuable professional insight and work experience. The role is a paid, flexible part-time position, which allows students to shape their work around their studies.

As part of the programme, student consultants have the opportunity to gain recognition for their work through the Kingston Award. They can also work towards the Associate Fellowship of the Higher Education Academy.

We provide them with extensive training and support to help them gain the skills and knowledge they need for the role and beyond.