part time undergraduates is there a link between widening participation and financial support,...
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Lifelong Learning Centre
Part-time undergraduates:
Is there a link between widening participation and financial support?
Mohammed Hussain
M.J. Morgan
Part-time undergraduates at Leeds 2014-2015
Number of part-time undergraduates on sustained* courses: 438
*Degree, Foundation Degree, Diploma of Higher Education, Certificate of Higher Education i.e. excluding CPD and other short courses
The Lifelong Learning Centre (LLC)
Major provider of sustained part-time UG courses:
Number of part-time UGs on sustained LLC courses
2014-2015: 372
(85% of PT UGs on sustained courses at Leeds)
58% from widening participation backgrounds
(Polar 2 data)
28% BME, 19 % recorded disability
LLC mission
To recruit and support mature students from widening participation backgrounds. Strategic priorities:
• ensure that the University is genuinely open to mature and part-time learners and those of any age from under-represented communities who need focussed support;
• engage with the city and region to support widening participation, develop the local workforce and assist the University to reach diverse communities;
• work in partnership with faculties and services to the benefit of mature, part-time and foundation level students.
Part-time LLC UG recruitment (headcount)
Part-time LLC UG retention
LLC withdrawal rates (year 1):
2010-2011: 15%
2011-2012: 11%
2012-2013: 9%
2013-2014: 6%
Pre-entry guidance intelligence
Feedback from pre-entry guidance:
Clients citing ‘financial barriers’ as an issue in accessing higher education:
2010-2011: 26%
2011-2012: 23%
2012-2013: 43%
2013-2014: 48%
Financial support for part-time UGs post-2012
Leeds Financial Support [LFS]
(combination of NSP and matched UoL funding)
pro-rata of FT (= up to £1,500)
household income sole criterion
paid in cash
Also:
• Access to Learning Fund [ALF] (discretionary)
• LLC Student Bursary Fund (discretionary)
• Leeds University Union [LUU] (discretionary, emergency only)
Financial support package: comparison with local providers
Financial packages usually limited, for example:
• Discretionary awards only (hardship)
• Limited number of awards (competitive)
• Only available in certain years
• To be taken as accommodation/tuition fee discount or services discount
• Priority to certain groups (e.g. care leavers)
Is there a link?
Early 2015:
Research to explore whether recruitment and retention figures for part-time UGs at the LLC post-2012 are linked to the financial support package provided
Online survey
Bristol Online Surveys, January 2015
Distributed to all part-time UGs on sustained courses
= 438
Responses
= 97 (22% return)
Q: Have you received non-repayable financial support?
Q: What support did you get?
Q: What did you spend it on?
Q: How important was financial support in your decision to come to Leeds?
Q: How important is financial support to you in remaining on course?
Q: In what areas would you have had financial difficulties if you hadn’t received the support?
Selected comments
It is extremely useful - helped me with the expensive travelling costs, lost wages whilst on the course, and any course materials. Definitely a deciding factor when
choosing the course
I am extremely grateful for this additional support … I really skipped for joy when I received it … I started planning around the instalments. It goes a long
way especially when struggling with family
I would like to say a massive thank you for the financial support available for part-time students, it's a real life saver. I don't think I would have been able to
complete my course if it wasn't for the financial support
Financial support for those students who do not have a great supporting income is crucial to help improve opportunities and career progression. Without the
support I was given I would have not been able to afford to do this course for years
Next steps
• Focus groups with students to include:
More exploration of role of pre-entry guidance and financial information in decision-making
Exploration of attitudes to debt among WP students
• Annual survey and focus groups to capture trends over time
• Sharing of information with peers