The InclusiPHE project was carried out from September 2020 until August 2023. The project’s main objective was to contribute to a more inclusive environment at Professional Higher Education Institutions (PHEIs), by creating interventions aimed at increasing non-traditional students’ engagement in the life of their academic institution.

InclusiPHE focused specifically on students at PHEIs which typically attract a more diverse range of students and with a higher proportion of non-traditional students compared to more classical universities. There tend to be more adult students, lifelong learners, parent students, students from a migrant background, students with a disability, etc. At the same time, PHE curricula have specific characteristics that influence student engagement, such as shorter times spent in the institution due to many students studying at shorter courses and considerable time spent on practical placements outside the institution.

InclusiPHE explored the engagement of students from diverse backgrounds in the life of their institutions. The project aimed to improve policies, mechanisms and practices for inclusive engagement of all students regardless of their background and circumstances – to engage students in all aspects of their teaching & learning journey, quality assurance & institutional decision making, within the life of the institution and student life in the wider sense and also enabling them to fully embrace the democratic values of HE in their interactions with wider society.