Partnerships through Access to HE by https://padlet.com/outreachUEA/6jkqfsw1n5trqsos We are pleased to be part of NERUPI's Power of Partnerships event to share information about our partnerships with Access to HE providers. This Padlet has been designed to support information sharing and insight into the success from our programme and enable sector wide conversions with other HEI's considering working further with mature learners. en-us 2023-09-08 10:19:43 UTC 2023-09-12 23:41:16 UTC hello@padlet.com Gem Standen outreachUEA https://padlet.com/outreachUEA/6jkqfsw1n5trqsos/wish/2681764263 Hi! I'm Gem and I'm UEA's Widening Participation Officer for Mature and Commuting Students. In my role, I support students across their educational lifecycle,  supporting informed decision making and for those who choose UEA, helping to navigate university. Understanding the spectrum of belonging with the demographics I work with is key to fully appreciating the types of challenges and successes these groups have. So, alongside my role, I am completing my postgraduate studies in educational research to further understanding and advocate for these students.

I was a mature, commuting student with caring responsibilities when I completed my undergraduate degree, so I also have lived experience. I find this helps to strike rapport with students and enable me to appreciate what students are managing alongside their studies. 

In my current studies, I am looking at mature student experience, identity and non-continuation. If you'd like to collaborate or chat, please feel free to email me on g.standen@uea.ac.uk or find me on LinkedIn.]]> 2023-09-02 08:10:18 UTC https://padlet.com/outreachUEA/6jkqfsw1n5trqsos/wish/2681764263 Access to HE - what is it? outreachUEA https://padlet.com/outreachUEA/6jkqfsw1n5trqsos/wish/2690513996 This is a handy site designed by QAA to help individuals interested in exploring study options further - either through a brick and mortar provider, or through distance learning. This site provides case studies, course search and an overview of what the diploma entails.]]> 2023-09-08 10:35:38 UTC https://padlet.com/outreachUEA/6jkqfsw1n5trqsos/wish/2690513996 Why partner with Access to HE providers? outreachUEA https://padlet.com/outreachUEA/6jkqfsw1n5trqsos/wish/2690514395 UEA Outreach committed to supporting mature students by using Access to HE as a proxy measure. Since 2019-2020, we have built on existing college relationships by offering dedicated and bespoke provision for Access students, and for some, across wider adult education provision (such as pre-access courses). This provision makes up part of a partnership agreement that comes with a contextual admission for Access students who choose to study at UEA. 

We approach our partnerships holistically, making it clear that we are there to support informed decision making and to provide information poignant to the group, which is informed by research (see literature for examples) and up to date information in the sector. This includes talks on understanding entry requirements, writing personal statements and managing student finance. As students progress through an academic year, further information is provided to help individuals map out future journey's and understand their entitlements to services and support throughout.

If we are lucky enough to be the chosen institution (or one of them), we offer optional transition support through physical and online events, and if they progress into UEA study, support through their time at university. This provides a consistent approach to our partnership, with many past students offering to visit previous providers to support other students.

The benefits are wide reaching for both the colleges and for us as an institution. Mature students bring so much to a classroom and typically have better graduate outcomes than their younger peers. However, there may be additional struggles relating to life responsibilities and challenges being managed alongside study. This can pose challenges for HEI's who may need to adjust practice to adapt messaging/provision for this group. 

This is just a flavour of why this work is enjoyable and worthwhile, but I welcome questions and would be happy to meet and discuss introducing programmes into your future plans. Email me on g.standen@uea.ac.uk to arrange.]]> 2023-09-08 10:36:01 UTC https://padlet.com/outreachUEA/6jkqfsw1n5trqsos/wish/2690514395 Improving opportunity and choice for mature students outreachUEA https://padlet.com/outreachUEA/6jkqfsw1n5trqsos/wish/2700722539 This topic briefing from the Office for Students provides more insight into why there has been a specific focus on this group.]]> 2023-09-12 22:53:53 UTC https://padlet.com/outreachUEA/6jkqfsw1n5trqsos/wish/2700722539 Mature students - topic briefing outreachUEA https://padlet.com/outreachUEA/6jkqfsw1n5trqsos/wish/2700723414 This topic briefing (released in 2020) provides a useful oversight into wider issues relating to longitudinal support for mature students within HE. ]]> 2023-09-12 22:55:26 UTC https://padlet.com/outreachUEA/6jkqfsw1n5trqsos/wish/2700723414 Forgotten learners: building a system that works for mature students outreachUEA https://padlet.com/outreachUEA/6jkqfsw1n5trqsos/wish/2700725632 MillionPlus released this piece of research into mature students and their engagement and experience within HE. This report draws some fantastic information for those looking to improve their work with mature students. 

You may also be interested in a recent report called 'Learning with the lights off' which comes as a result of the cost of living crisis. MillionPlus found in this report that mature and commuting students are among the most disadvantaged due to the ongoing issues with finance, and the more recent challenges we are currently facing in the UK.]]> 2023-09-12 22:58:29 UTC https://padlet.com/outreachUEA/6jkqfsw1n5trqsos/wish/2700725632 Mature higher education students in England outreachUEA https://padlet.com/outreachUEA/6jkqfsw1n5trqsos/wish/2700727570 This is a short report released by the House of Commons in 2021. It provides an overview of the issues being discussed in relation to the Augar review and provides insight into trends- and behaviours relating to adults returning to study.]]> 2023-09-12 23:01:43 UTC https://padlet.com/outreachUEA/6jkqfsw1n5trqsos/wish/2700727570 Mature Access: the contribution of the Access to Higher Education Diploma outreachUEA https://padlet.com/outreachUEA/6jkqfsw1n5trqsos/wish/2700729618 This article explores the contribution that Access to HE has had on widening participation in universities. You can also explore some of the conversations relating to recruitment and attrition challenges within these qualifications using QAA data collected since 1998 and annual reports published in FE and HE. ]]> 2023-09-12 23:05:14 UTC https://padlet.com/outreachUEA/6jkqfsw1n5trqsos/wish/2700729618 Persistence, how do they do it? A case study of Access to Higher Education learners on a UK Diploma/BSc Nursing programme outreachUEA https://padlet.com/outreachUEA/6jkqfsw1n5trqsos/wish/2700732420 This article provides insight into how Access to HE students perform in HE compared to other students who have used alternative paths into health degrees. Findings conclude that students who enter with Access to HE diplomas often adapt and perform as well as their non-Access to HE peers.]]> 2023-09-12 23:08:28 UTC https://padlet.com/outreachUEA/6jkqfsw1n5trqsos/wish/2700732420 ‘It’s Taking Me a Long Time but I’ll Get There in the End’: Mature students on access courses and higher education choice outreachUEA https://padlet.com/outreachUEA/6jkqfsw1n5trqsos/wish/2700733303 This article highlights some of the challenges mature students from an Access diploma face when choosing, applying and transitioning into HE in the UK. ]]> 2023-09-12 23:09:54 UTC https://padlet.com/outreachUEA/6jkqfsw1n5trqsos/wish/2700733303