Part 1 - the student view Presented by: Tommy Gilchrist – Vice President Education

What is a Part 1 student? Perceived to be: typical 18-22 first-time undergraduate full-time student more likely to be a home student living in Halls academically capable (at least at Reading!) here to get as drunk as possible for little cost

In reality... Part 1 students are: starting at any age either full-time or part-time not necessarily of UK/European origins living in a variety of accommodation all academically capable; some receive more support than others during their first year here for a multitude of reasons including, but not always foremost, getting a degree from as many backgrounds as they are populous

There is no such thing as an average student!

Student Experience Who did we ask? contacted around 175 Part 1 students over the vacation 54 responded, with 51 responses usable (29% overall) responses from all five (three?) Faculties, although heavily biased towards the Faculty of Science and the Faculty of Arts and Humanities low volume of data will detract from a quantified analysis, so few significant relationships can be drawn look instead at qualitative comments for a selection of questions

Why did you choose your course at Reading? I liked the look of the prospectus – shiny Reading had the best course for me My department’s research record It looked lovely! Really pretty campus, new buildings, and the course I wanted to do  Didn’t know where to apply to... not my first choice My boyfriend was doing History; doesn’t matter now coz we broke up Local Uni

Two things to note: locality of the University was mentioned by 3 people; nearly 6% of the total. Increasing cost of a degree responsible? not one person mentioned Reading’s position in the University League Table

How did you... feel on arrival? engage in your first year? nervous exhilarated excited home-sick terrified want to meet everyone worried snowsports was biggest sport response; usual suspects also there joined a society handed in my essays worked in 3sixty went out a lot!!

Your department and you How did your department support you? reading lists before arrival could change pre-selected modules on arrival friendly faces when going there for the first time really good Personal Tutor (in some departments!) lecturers know their stuff (two mentioned by name, but not here today so I won’t embarrass them by singing their praises) if they didn’t know the answer, they knew who did different to school; call lecturers by their first names guided on how to work independently

Student Academic Reps (StARs) were mentioned 7 times (14% of answers) as having really helped Fully 41% (21 respondents) of the sample thought that their department had done nothing at all to help them

Your degree

Questions