Past events

6 May 2009, UCAS research forum: Tony Hoare, University of Bristol
Part of the Higher Education Academy's "Research Seminar Series 2009: Access and Success for All"

So what do you mean by 'widening participation' ('WP')?

A wide variety of perspectives on what 'WP' means are adopted not just in scripts from 'the centre' (HEFCE, DfES...) but also the 'takes' on WP provided by over 100 separate HEIs in their Access Agreements. This contribution reviewed these and then some of the issues they raise, before looking in more detail at the logics behind the different ways in which HEIs specify and calibrate their WP categories and milestones. The final section suggested an alternative perspective on these and illustrated it from ongoing work at one university with a substantial, if at times controversial, commitment to widening participation.

To view a PDF of the presentation please click here.

21 May 2009, UCAS research forum: Miriam David, ESRC Teaching & Learning Research Programme, Institute of Education

Diversity and widening participation in HE

This talk was based upon Miriam David's forthcoming edited book entitled Improving Learning by Widening Participation in HE (Routledge), which is based upon the findings from the seven projects funded through ESRC and TLRP on this topic, which ran from 2005 to 2008.

To view a PDF of the presentation please click here.

30 June 2009, UCAS research forum: Clare Holdsworth, University of Liverpool

'They just change the bus route': Students' mobility decisions and orientation to higher education

One of the most anticipated, and at times regretted, outcomes of the recent expansion of higher education (HE) in England is the concomitant shift towards local recruitment of students, as opposed to the 'traditional' pattern of leaving home to go to university. While students' mobility choices may be considered an outcome of their financial concerns, empirical research on students' mobilities reveals a more complex reasoning. In particular it demonstrates the differential attitudes to and expectations of HE associated with mobility choices. This paper reviewed the evidence of changing patterns in students' mobility and how mobility choices are associated with distinct orientations towards HE. In particular Clare considered how the decision to study local is associated with vocational/skill-enhancement approaches to HE rather than embracing Liberal Arts ideals.

To view a PDF of the presentation please click here.

17 September 2009, UCAS research forum: Bahram Bekhradnia, Higher Education Policy Institute (HEPI)

Higher Education demand - some key issues

This seminar addressed issues to do with access to university and the experience of students with different types of qualification when at university. It drew in particular on the HEPI studies of the different experiences of students with vocational and academic level 3 qualifications, and the HEFCE research on 'Who does best at university'.

To view a PDF of the presentation please click here.

4 November 2009, UCAS research forum: Matthew Williamson and Giles Martin, Queen Mary, University of London

Transitions to higher education: research into students' expectations and experiences of learning and teaching

The seminar was given by Dr Matthew Williamson and Dr Giles Martin of Queen Mary, University of London and presented results of their research into student transition into higher education. This research focuses on expectations and experiences of learning and teaching and the ways in which students negotiate the transition from the teaching they have experienced before entering higher education and the methods they are exposed to, and skills they have to develop, once they start at university. The project used a survey of all new undergraduates, together with a series of interviews with selected students and visits to schools and colleges in the local area for observation and interviews. The seminar suggested ways in which students and staff can be better prepared for the transition into higher education.

To view a PDF of the presentation please click here.

1 February 2010, UCAS research forum: Professor Ann-Marie Bathmaker, School of Education, University of the West of England

The making and shaping of higher education transitions in 'dual sector' institutions

This seminar explored higher education (HE) transitions in England in the context of 'dual sector' FE/HE institutions. These institutions offer both further education (FE) and HE programmes. Not only do they prepare students for participation in HE, but they also provide the possibility of 'seamless' transition to HE, whereby students remain within the same institution for HE study. The presentation examined the experience of making HE transitions in a number of different subject sites in four FE/HE institutions, considering what helped and hindered HE progression in these contexts.

To view a PDF of the presentation please click here.

3 June 2010: Dr Mark Corver

Senior Analyst, Higher Education Funding Council for England (HEFCE)

Using UCAS data in policy making

How does analysis inform policy-making at HEFCE and what role does UCAS data play? HEFCE's Mark Corver looked at what can be learnt from recent analysis drawing upon the unique characteristics of UCAS data. The findings from the recent 'young participation' analysis (1, 2) and research for the 'new "University Challenge"' programme (3) was be a focus for this event. Sarah Howls, Head of Widening Participation Policy at HEFCE, introduced the presentation with her perspective on data and evidence as a policy-maker.

(1) Trends in Young Participation in Higher Education: Core results for England, HEFCE 2010/03, January 2010, www.hefce.ac.uk/pubs/hefce/2010/10_03/
(2) Trends in Young Participation by selectivity of institution, in 'What more can be done to widen access to highly selective universities?', May 2010, www.offa.org.uk/publications/
(3) The Common Evidence Base and Context Statistics for a New 'University Challenge', March 2009/May 2010, www.hefce.ac.uk/widen/challenge/evidence/

To view a PDF of the presentation please click here.


15 June 2010: Professor Heather Eggins

Visiting Professor, Institute for Access Studies, Staffordshire University

Access and Equity: a global challenge

This presentation set out to examine the range of global challenges posed by both the demand for access to higher education worldwide and the political need to expand access to higher education. Recognition of the need to offer good quality higher education and establish an inclusive society where disadvantaged groups have equal opportunities is seen worldwide, and particularly in the US, Europe, China, India and Brazil.

The challenges are not only financial in nature (and comment was made on the effect of the financial crisis on higher education), but also arise from the education systems themselves, from problems posed by governmental/institutional relationships, and from problems relating to individual choice. Consideration was given to the interventions initiated in a range of countries to restructure higher education systems, to raise aspirations and to provide information, and to put in place a sound educational grounding to enable a successful outcome to higher education studies to be achieved.

To view a PDF of the presentation please click here.


15 September 2010: Dr Arnaud Chevalier

Senior Lecturer, Department of Economics Royal Holloway, University of London

Higher education decisions in the UK around the 2004 Higher Education Act.

The 2004 reforms of the financing of higher education in England dramatically changed the financial contributions that students make towards their tertiary education. Tuition fees were raised from £1,200 to £3,000 but became deferred. At the same time, income contingent loans were increased to account for maintenance and the more expensive in fees, and more generous means-tested grants were introduced.

It is important to understand how this reform affected the decision process of applicants and institutions in the light of the current debate on tuition fees. In this seminar, Dr Arnauld Chevalier will present outcomes from the research and discuss the implications of the 2004 Higher Education Act on the UK market.


13 October 2010: Dr Harriet Dunbar-Goddet

Senior Policy Officer, 1994 Group

Shaping prospective students' expectations of university

During 2010, the 1994 Group, are undertaking a JISC-funded project aimed at enhancing applicants' understanding of university experiences.

The overall aim is to produce a high-quality, interactive, online resource, aimed at prospective international and domestic students, their parents and families, considering applying to any UK university.

The resource will help manage student expectations of university learning, better inform the decisions of applicants, and better explain the nature and the different types of student contact that are on offer at UK universities. It will also provide some guidance for navigating the different sources of information available in the public domain.

As part of this work the Group is investigating: i) what is already being offered by UK universities and other websites in order to identify examples of excellence and best practice; ii) what information applicants would find most useful; and iii) the best methods for communicating such information. The findings from these investigations will be presented and discussed.

To view a PDF of the presentation please click here.


10 November: Professor James Elander, Head of the Centre for Psychological Research and Professor Lin Norton, Director of the HEA NTFS project 'Flying Start'


Easing the Transition into Academic Writing for Higher Education: Lessons from the Flying Start Project

Many students entering university struggle with writing their first assignments, and grapple with issues ranging from how to structure an essay and develop an argument, to a panic about exactly what is expected of them in their academic writing. For some, the experience of producing their first assignment can be a major influence on decisions about whether to continue in Higher Education. The problem is complex: no single countermeasure is likely to be effective, and a cross-sector approach will probably be needed to make a significant impact.

Funded by the Higher Education Academy for two years from September 2008, the Flying Start Project has focused on helping students of the 'League Table Generation' make the transition into Higher Education (see http://www.hope.ac.uk/flyingstart). The project has developed and evaluated mentoring programmes in which undergraduate student writing mentors work with FE students and school pupils to develop their writing skills. The team has also worked with teachers and lecturers across the schools, FE and HE sectors in a range of projects focusing on discipline-based issues in student writing transitions.

In this seminar, Professors James Elander (University of Derby) and Lin Norton (Liverpool Hope University) will present outcomes from the project and discuss the implications of the work. These include practical and pedagogic measures to support and promote student writing in the transition to university, and recommendations for national education policy.