7/31/2019 U21 Access

1/16

Access at the University of Glasgow

Alec MacKinnon

Kevin Francis

Centre for Open Studies

7/31/2019 U21 Access

2/16

A University Introduction to Study for MatureStudents

University of Glasgow: Extra-mural/Department of Adult

and Continuing Education from 1951

Access for mature students from 1979

based on conviction that there are many adultspotentially able to benefit from higher education who havenot had the opportunity

Aimed at providing a supportive preparation for HE forthose returning to education

maybe after many years and with only bad memories and noqualifications

7/31/2019 U21 Access

3/16

A University Introduction to Study for MatureStudents

GU Extra-mural/Department of Adult and Continuing

Education from 1951

Access for mature students from 1979

(Scottish Wider Access Programme from 1985; primarilyFE sector)

Initially to Arts and Social Sciences

Became acceptable for Law during 1980s; Law optionadded early 2005-06

Science and Engineering from 1992

Accountancy, Social Work, Nursing in 2000s

7/31/2019 U21 Access

4/16

Features

Part-time

Juggle with work, family

toe in the water before burning bridges

Focus on University subjects Students choose two from a list of (now) 20

Transferable skills acquired via in-depth study

Introduction to character of teaching and learning in an ancient,

research-led university

2010 study of J Ferrie et al. (report in preparation)

7/31/2019 U21 Access

5/16

Preparation for university study:

Attrition from degree programmes due to (Yorke, 1999):

Flawed decision-making in entering the programme

Students experience of the programme and institution generally

Failure to cope with academic demands Events in students lives external to the institution

7/31/2019 U21 Access

6/16

Preparation for university study:

Attrition from degree programmes due to (Yorke, 1999):

Flawed decision-making in entering the programme

Students introduced to university study in their chosen subjects

Students experience of the programme and institution generally Failure to cope with academic demands

Events in students lives external to the institution

7/31/2019 U21 Access

7/16

Preparation for university study:

Attrition from degree programmes due to (Yorke, 1999):

Flawed decision-making in entering the programme

Students introduced to university study in their chosen subjects

Students experience of the programme and institution generally Students introduced to university style classes, assessment,

library, campus, VLE (Unions, Mature Students Club, swimmingpool!)

Failure to cope with academic demands Events in students lives external to the institution

7/31/2019 U21 Access

8/16

Preparation for university study:

Attrition from degree programmes due to (Yorke, 1999):

Flawed decision-making in entering the programme

Students introduced to university study in their chosen subjects

Students experience of the programme and institution generally Students introduced to university style classes, assessment,

library, campus, VLE..

Failure to cope with academic demands

Access aims to provide an adequate academic preparation withbridges being burnt

Events in students lives external to the institution

7/31/2019 U21 Access

9/16

Preparation for university study:

Attrition from degree programmes due to (Yorke, 1999):

Flawed decision-making in entering the programme

Students introduced to university study in their chosen subjects

Students experience of the programme and institution generally Students introduced to university style classes, assessment,

library, campus, VLE..

Failure to cope with academic demands

Access aims to provide an adequate academic preparationwithout bridges being burnt

Events in students lives external to the institution

are of course more likely for adults..

7/31/2019 U21 Access

10/16

0

50

100

150

200

250

300

350

2005-06 2006-07 2007-08 2008-09 2009-10

Students enrolled on Access

7/31/2019 U21 Access

11/16

Socio-economic background (home postcode)

SIMD Decile

10987654321

Frequency

125

100

75

50

25

0

SIMD Decile

7/31/2019 U21 Access

12/16

2011-12

Total confirmed students: 252

students using ILA: 115 (personal income < 22k)

Glasgow City bursary: 23 (unemployment benefit, etc.)

Partial fee waiver: 24 (unemployment benefit, etc.)

RouteofEntry Oneormoreparentsinhigher

education

DACEAccess(N=161) 35.4%Traditional(N=182) 72.0%OtherAccess(N=129) 34.1%

7/31/2019 U21 Access

13/16

Outcomes

Over 2005-2010, average 46% completion rate but definition of enrolled?

65 75% of fully committed students complete

Nearly all who continue after Xmas complete and gainadequate grades for progression to University

DACEAccess Traditional OtherAccess

MeanGPA 12.7884 12.7789 12.5159MedianGPA 12.7200 12.6700 12.5000Std.Dev. 1.35392 1.31793 1.36334

7/31/2019 U21 Access

14/16

Outcomes once in GU

DACEAccess Traditional OtherAccess

MeanGPA 12.7884 12.7789 12.5159MedianGPA 12.7200 12.6700 12.5000Std.Dev. 1.35392 1.31793 1.36334

7/31/2019 U21 Access

15/16

Current issues

Level of demand

Changing situation for Admissions

International(!) demand

Recruitment from disadvantaged groups

7/31/2019 U21 Access

16/16

Conclusions

GU Access Programmes provide a preparation and wayinto HE for a wide range of people

Remains valuable and popular

Emphasis today on statistics; huge range of humanstories