UOB Understanding mature student transition into and through university UALL Conference March 2015 Ruth Lefever and Nadira Mirza STUDENT EXPERIENCE & SUCCESS UALL 2015: Mature Student Transition

UOB Overview Outline the University of Bradford’s ‘trans:it refreshers summer school’ for new mature undergraduate students Approach and content Student feedback Current evaluation and research project Wider work at Bradford UALL 2015: Mature Student Transition STUDENT EXPERIENCE & SUCCESS

UOB What is trans:it? To support mature student transition into HE Academic focus – preparation for study Particular concerns/ needs of mature students Orientation, support and social connections 2 day programme run in September, just prior to induction week Managed by the Student Experience & Success Team in collaboration with Education Liaison and Academic Skills Advice Open to all new mature students 148 participants in 2014 UALL 2015: Mature Student Transition STUDENT EXPERIENCE & SUCCESS

UOB Trans:it Summer School overview Welcome by Director of Student Success Students’ Union intro Student Ambassador reflections (mature) Student opportunities (Careers, study abroad, student representation etc.) Campus and library tours Workshop programme: UALL 2015: Mature Student Transition STUDENT EXPERIENCE & SUCCESS

UOB Workshops Becoming an independent learner Deciphering jargon and making the most of your lectures Reading strategies and effective note-taking How to write in an academic style Library, IT and finding resources STUDENT EXPERIENCE & SUCCESS UALL 2015: Mature Student Transition

UOB Ongoing summer school themes Advice and tips to make the move from work or college to University as smooth as possible Student ambassadors (assigned to groups for whole programme) Group activities Getting to know others and Bradford Meet staff and services Ask questions Good academic habits UALL 2015: Mature Student Transition STUDENT EXPERIENCE & SUCCESS

UOB Feedback from students Post-event questionnaire STUDENT EXPERIENCE & SUCCESS UALL 2015: Mature Student Transition Statements % rated strongly agree/agree Attending the summer school has helped prepare me for starting university 96% I feel more confident about starting my studies because of attending the summer school 98% It has been useful to meet other students 92% I would recommend attending the summer school to others 96%

UOB Feedback from students All the information…is very useful in my university studies, and [with] confidence the more motivated I become Meeting fellow students and being shown around campus. Now I feel more confident about induction week and starting Uni. The information presented in all lectures and workshops was just at the right level, not swamped with information and the student ambassadors were brilliant. Early familiarisation of the campus and university life Confidence to hit the ground running and get on with my studies without worries. That far more support is available than I expected, which i am now keen to make good use of! I will take away a better understanding of what lectures, workshops, tutorial and seminars are as, I will be honest, I wasn't sure. I feel confident about seeking maths help without worrying that it would be frowned upon. I have seen how helpful and encouraging the university staff are. I really appreciate that they are there to help with any issues I may have and I will be more confident asking for help because of that. I'm not alone. There are a lot more people facing similar difficulties to me and if I need help study or writing, the academic skills service is close by. The best [thing] about it was, it gave a basic foundation about what is expected from students during their studies, and it gave me [an] overall idea about University itself. STUDENT EXPERIENCE & SUCCESS UALL 2015: Mature Student Transition

UOB Student Ambassador feedback STUDENT EXPERIENCE & SUCCESS UALL 2015: Mature Student Transition Student Ambassadors are core to the event Support the running and group activity Share reflections – to all and to individuals/small groups over the programme Many have been attendees before…

UOB Video STUDENT EXPERIENCE & SUCCESS UALL 2015: Mature Student Transition

UOB Current research project Funded by AMOSSHE (one of only 4 successful projects) Aims to understand the value of participating in the summer school from the student perspective Mixed but largely qualitative approach To ascertain the “regard, importance, worth or usefulness that something is held to deserve” (AMOSSHE 2011) Mature student reflections and articulations Identify key strengths and areas of good practice And other developments/ support for mature students (for Bradford and the sector) STUDENT EXPERIENCE & SUCCESS UALL 2015: Mature Student Transition

UOB Context Evidence from the sector often highlights the importance of student engagement and successful transition (Kember et al. 2001; Mann 2005 & 2010; Tinto 2006; Krause 2007; Currant and Keenan 2008; Hollins 2009, Bryson et al. 2010, Trowler & Trowler 2010; Wimpenny and Savin-Baden 2011, Foster et al and Thomas 2012). However, it is less clear how particular support opportunities affect the involved individuals themselves Further understanding of how engagement is of value in the early and ongoing transition of mature students insight into how they progress and where additional support or opportunities may be needed. Other literature on mature students, p/t study, social mobility, lifelong learning etc. (Stuart 2013, Field et al. 2009, Schuller and Watson, 2009 and Preston et al 2004). STUDENT EXPERIENCE & SUCCESS UALL 2015: Mature Student Transition

UOB Research activity Literature review of transition support in Higher Education (in progress) Questionnaire of 2014 participants (complete) In-depth interviews with participants (live) – approx. 15 And with non-participants for comparison Student researchers (e.g. graduate intern) STUDENT EXPERIENCE & SUCCESS UALL 2015: Mature Student Transition

UOB Proposed outputs Report for the funders and the sector – key findings and recommendations Trans:it summer school guide (for others who may want to introduce their own) Mature student transition vignettes – personal journeys Conference presentation/s – to include mature students STUDENT EXPERIENCE & SUCCESS UALL 2015: Mature Student Transition

UOB Wider work at Bradford Development of the Higher Education Achievement Report (HEAR) – trans:it to be included Access agreement activity Other summer schools/ online programmes Peer assisted learning schemes (popular with mature students) Postgraduate student community development – possible PGR summer school Part of the work of our newly established Centre for Practice and Evaluation into the Student Experience (PAESE). STUDENT EXPERIENCE & SUCCESS UALL 2015: Mature Student Transition

UOB Centre for Practice and Evaluation into the Student Experience (PAESE) development/student-experience/research/ STUDENT EXPERIENCE & SUCCESS UALL 2015: Mature Student Transition

UOB Thank you and any questions? STUDENT EXPERIENCE & SUCCESS UALL 2015: Mature Student Transition

UOB UALL 2015: Mature Student Transition STUDENT EXPERIENCE & SUCCESS