Supporting the Transition to Higher Education: A 21st Century Perspective

1. Supporting the transition to higher education:a 21st century perspectiveProfessor Sue PiotrowskiPro-Vice Chancellor (Academic)Canterbury Christ Church University

2. Overview • The increasing PRIORITY given to supporting transition into HE • The increasing COMPLEXITY of supporting transition into HE • APPROACHES to supporting transition

3. Introduction • Several key points of transition in education • Transition into HE is just one of these • Increasing priority given to ensuring a smooth transition into HE in early part of 21st century

4. The increasing priority of supporting transition in HE • Commitment to increasing and widening participation in HE (50% target) • Greater emphasis on student retention • Increasing emphasis on HE outcomes (academic attainment / employability)

5. The increasing complexity of supporting transition in HE Increasing participation: • 1960/70s: 6% population (largely full-time, under-21, residential, no fees, means-tested grants) • 2006: 44% participation (18 – 30 year olds) • Much higher student:staff ratios • More ‘first generation’ entrants

6. The increasing complexity of supporting transition in HE Increasing gender diversity: • 1860s first women admitted to university • 1992 women outnumber men in HE • 2006 women = 57% of HE population • 21st century HE transition: increasing focus on young men

7. The increasing complexity of supporting transition in HE Diversity of educational background on entry: • 1960s and 1970s largely A level entry • A level still most common but now increasingly wide range of vocational / non-vocational qualifications • Standards of English and Maths on entry causing widespread concern

8. The increasing complexity of supporting transition in HE Increasingly diverse student intake: • 40% of all HE students are part-time • 22% of first degree students are over 21 • 13.9% of students are from EU and overseas • 14.9% of UK domiciled students from ethnic minorities • Over 100,000 students have known disability • 18% live at home with parents (of these 15% spend 3 – 4 hours commuting each day)

9. The increasing complexity of supporting transition in HE Students’ changing financial circumstances (Sudexho-Times Higher 2006 survey): • 65% rely on student loans • 39% expect to graduate with debts >£10k • 10% have < £20 week to live on • 31% do paid work during term time

10. Supporting transition to HE in 21st century: some approaches • Increasingly ‘learner-centred’ approach • Many HEIs reviewing / revising induction • Greater attention to pre-entry phase • Examples of HE transition initiatives (Aimhigher Kent and Medway): • Summer Schools and Master Classes • HE student ambassadors / mentoring • Compacts and flexible curriculum developments