Access Statement
1. Introduction
Global Institute of Sport (GIS) is committed to supporting equality of opportunity in access to higher education, student success and progression into employment or further study.
GIS is a specialist higher education provider delivering sport-focused higher education programmes, primarily at postgraduate level and through distance learning. GIS recruits students from the UK and internationally and provides flexible study opportunities for students who may not be able to access, or may not wish to access, traditional campus-based provision.
This statement sets out GIS’s approach to access, admissions, student support, progression and monitoring. It should be read in the context of GIS’s size, specialist provision, postgraduate focus and delivery model.
2. Access to Higher Education
GIS supports access to higher education through flexible delivery, inclusive admissions practices and recognition of relevant professional experience where appropriate.
GIS supports access by:
- Delivering programmes through online and blended learning, enabling students to study alongside employment, caring responsibilities or other commitments;
- Providing clear admissions information, entry requirements and application processes;
- Considering relevant professional experience alongside academic qualifications where appropriate;
- Recruiting mature students and working professionals seeking career development;
- Providing programmes aligned to industry pathways in the sport sector;
- Recruiting students from the UK and internationally; and
- Supporting eligible students to access student finance through the Student Loans Company.
GIS does not operate large-scale widening participation outreach programmes because of its specialist postgraduate focus and delivery model. However, GIS contributes to equality of opportunity through flexible and alternative routes into higher education.
3. Admissions
GIS operates fair and transparent admissions processes. Admissions decisions are based on academic qualifications, relevant professional experience where appropriate, and the applicant’s ability to successfully complete the programme.
GIS does not operate contextual admissions. However, it aims to ensure that applicants are assessed fairly and consistently, and that admissions processes are clear, inclusive and accessible.
Reasonable adjustments are made where required for applicants with disabilities during the admissions process.
4. Equality of Opportunity
GIS is committed to promoting equality of opportunity and eliminating unlawful discrimination in line with the Equality Act 2010.
GIS aims to ensure that students are not disadvantaged on the basis of protected characteristics or personal circumstances. Where data is available and proportionate to the size and nature of the institution, GIS monitors student recruitment, continuation, completion and progression.
Where relevant gaps or risks are identified, GIS will take proportionate steps to understand and address them.
5. Student Success and Support
GIS recognises that access to higher education must be supported by appropriate arrangements to help students succeed.
GIS provides student support including:
- Academic support and study skills guidance;
- Online learning support;
- Disability support and reasonable adjustments;
- Wellbeing and pastoral support;
- Careers and employability support;
- Access to learning resources and library materials; and
- Student services support throughout the student lifecycle.
GIS also operates a limited hardship support process for students experiencing significant financial difficulty.
6. Progression and Employability
GIS programmes are designed to support progression into employment within the sport industry and related sectors.
GIS supports progression through:
- Industry-focused curriculum design;
- Employer engagement and guest speakers;
- Careers guidance and employability support;
- Networking opportunities; and
- Alumni engagement.
GIS aims to support students to progress into employment, professional development or further study.
7. Monitoring and Review
GIS monitors access, continuation, completion and progression data where this is available and proportionate to institutional size and provision. This may include analysis by student characteristics where data is available.
GIS will review this Access Statement periodically and update its approach where necessary to support equality of opportunity.
8. Governance
Responsibility for access, student success and progression sits with the senior academic leadership of GIS and is overseen through the institution’s academic governance structures.
Relevant themes may be reported through Academic Board, executive management and the Board of Governors where appropriate.
9. Commitment
GIS is committed to providing accessible higher education through flexible delivery, fair admissions, inclusive learning environments and appropriate student support.
GIS will continue to review and improve its approach in line with its provision, student profile, regulatory obligations and sector expectations.
10. Annual Review
This statement was approved by the GIS Board of Governors on June 19th 2026, and will be reviewed and submitted to the Board of Governors for reapproval no later than one calendar year after this date.