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This page is designed to look like a card index and appears to be made of parchment and oriental paper. It has tags across the top and cut out shapes down the left hand side. The links appear to be written on these. The Innovations Team logo is at the top left and shows through a cut out section of the page.
UCAS has joined forces with the University of Birmingham, University of Central Lancashire, Queen Mary, University of London and the College of Ripon and York St John to run an Innovations project whose aim is to facilitate progression into and through higher education for 'non-traditional' students.
The project partnership was formed to represent different types of higher education institution, different geographical locations and UCAS. Each higher education partner is working with particular categories of people from lower socio economic groups who are under-represented in their institution, in partnership with local schools and colleges. Young and mature people from local poor urban and rural communities, GNVQ/AVC, young Asian and mature students are particular groups included.
Initially, the project is identifying the barriers that exist at different stages: that stop people from thinking that higher education is for them in the first place; that make the application process difficult; that impede admission; that cause difficulties once they get to higher education. The aim is to then develop initiatives and recommend changes that will address the barriers that are identified. All project partners are commited to sharing good practice, taking on board what is learnt, making changes to institutional policies and procedures and implementing new practices that are developed or recommended by the project.
Questionnaires, interviews and focus groups are being deployed with individuals at three different stages relative to HE entry: with first year HE students who have overcome initial barriers into their first year experience; with current UCAS applicants and with 'pre-applicants' - school and college students who may or may not go on to apply to HE in the future. A control group of 'traditional' first year HE students is also included.
Much interesting information is being collected and the complex task of data analysis is about to start. If you would like more information about the project, contact the Project Manager, Stephanie Clark, email: s.clark@ucas.ac.uk and watch this space for further updates.
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