1. Timetables(well, mostly timetables) Nick Entwistle Research and Policy Officer (Higher Education)

2. Overview • What does the research say? • What are some issues? • Peeking behind the green curtain • From who, what, why and when to How

3. Some research

4. Some more research • Among early leavers 56.6 per cent report that more financial support would most improve their experience as a mature student (N=767), over and above flexible deadlines (50.8 per cent), more academic support (41.9 per cent) and early provision of timetables (39.5 per cent). (Never too late to learn)

5. Even more research • More than a third of all survey respondents received their timetable on the first day of term or after the start of term, and just under half (43 per cent) felt that their timetable was not provided early enough for them to make adequate childcare arrangements. Of those, 11 per cent lost their childcare place or childminder as a result of late timetable provision, and 14 per cent had to pay a retainer to their childcare provider. The vast majority (87 per cent) said that the delay had caused them stress and anxiety. (Meet the Parents)

6. Policy issues • Timing of information: flexibility vs certainty • Timing of day: patterns of study, commitments • Dealing with changes • Where are decisions made, by whom? • Is this an area where philosophy and policy influence practice?

7. Pay no attention… • Products of wider strategy • Types of campaign • Balancing philosophy with practicality • Understanding and serving a diverse membership

8. The how: • Campaign ideas- fast and dirty • What other campaigns/policy issues fall (or could be shoehorned) into this category?

9. Timetables Nick Entwistle Research and Policy Officer (Higher Education) nick.entwistle@nus.org.uk