The HERE Project

Background

2008-2011

part of What Works? Student Retention & Success funded by

HEFCE

Paul Hamlyn Foundation

Partners

Nottingham Trent University

Bournemouth University

University of Bradford

Previously worked together on Learnhigher CETL

Areas of research Impact of 'doubting' on retention

Impact programme teams make on retention

definition of doubting

Doubting likely to be a normal part of transition process

Therefore

doubters=

We define doubters as those students who have doubts strong enough to have considered withdrawing at some point

non-doubters those who have not

Previous studies into doubtingRickinson & Rutherford

Mackie

Roberts et al

Research methodology

Pilot studies

NTU 2008 Welcome Week survey (n=1059

BU 2009interviews with programme staff

interviews with withdrawn students

Student Transition Surveys all 3 institutionsMarch - May 2009 (n = 873)

Feb - May 2011 (n=1063)

Focus groups & interviews all 3 institutions 46 student participants

Programme audits all 3 institutions

10 pro-grammes

programme teams interviewed

students surveyed

Findings

a)

Approx 1/3 of all 1st yr students have doubts

37% in 2009

32% in 2011

b)

Doubters are more likely to leave than non-doubters

non-doubters

98% of non-doubting survey respondents were still in HE the academic year after starting

doubters92% of doubting respondents were still in HE

c)

Doubters report a poorer quality experience compared to non-doubtersgap between expectations and experience

Non-doubters12%

Doubters29%

d)

Doubters usually report more than one reason for doubting2.1 reasons on average

e)

The primary reasons for doubting relate to the programme

But, this was students' no1 priorityfeedback particularly important

Other reasons for doubtinglifestyle

accommodation

f)4 main reasons why doubters stayed

Support from friends & family

Adapting to the course

personal commitment/ drive

Future goalsparticularly employability

g)Primary times for considering leavingeither side of Christmas

In our study, few doubters pre-arrival

h)Different degrees of doubting

However, even amongst those who had decided to leave, not all chose to do so

i)

Some student groups more likely to doubt than othersFemales more likely to doubtmales more likely to leave

Recommendations

manage factors that lead to doubting

help students make the transition to HE

Improve communication & relationships with staff

Identify and respond to students at risk

Help students make more informed choices in first place

support students to stay

Improve social integration

Improve sense of belonging

Foster student motivation

Encourage active engagement

Ensure good communication & access to student support

The HERE Project.mmap - 25/11/2011 -