European First Year Experience Conference 11 June 2014

Supporting HE transition and progression for disadvantaged student groups

Dr Angela O’Sullivan Principal Lecturer, Teacher Fellow, Head of Widening Participation

Faculty of Health & Life SciencesRyan Ward & Melissa Page

Higher Education Guidance Officers

Where is De Montfort University?

Leicester is at the heart of the UK and is served by excellent road, rail and air links

De Montfort University’s Mission Statement

We are a university of quality and distinctiveness, distinguished by our life-changing research, dynamic international partnerships, vibrant links with business and our commitment to excellence in learning, teaching and the student experience. We celebrate the rich cultural diversity of our staff, students and all our partnerships

De Montfort University

• 22000 students• 2700 staff• 13 National Teacher Fellows• 400 diverse UG & PG subjects• Full-time, Part-time & Distance Learning• 10 Halls of residence• 3000 university sourced rooms

Student Experience

DMU has been named as one of the top 40 universities in the UK for student experience by the Times

Higher Education magazine survey

Student Voice

 

• ‘DMU is a brilliant, diverse university where you do not get looked upon as being different, whoever you are or wherever you have come from. For care leavers, you come here and you have an equal standing with everyone else, probably for the first time in your life.’

• Adele Tilley, MBus

Diversity at DMU

DMU

Gender Age Ethnicity Disability

Female Male Not mature mature BME White DisabilityNo

disability

2012/13 57% 43% 44% 56% 40% 60% 17% 83%

2011/12 57% 43% 43% 57% 39% 61% 16% 84%

                 

Sector

Gender Age Ethnicity Disability

Female Male 20 & under 21 & over BME White DisabilityNo

disability

2012/13 56% 44% 37% 63% 20% 80% 9% 91%

2011/12 56% 44% 36% 64% 19% 81% 9% 91%

 

Ethnicity at DMU

Disability at DMU

End of year drop out rates by gender

End of year drop out rates by disability

Retention by age

• Retention for 20 and under aged students 91%

• Retention for 30 and over aged students 78%

• Gap of 13% between the age groups in academic year 2011/12.

Transitions team

• Summer Schools• Pre and post entry support• Designated care leaver and estranged

student contacts• Student carers• Article 26• Bursary distribution

Case Studies

• Split into four groups • You will be given a case study in three

stages• Consider each element of the case study

and agree how you might approach the issue presented within each stage.

Case Study Feedback

Share your good practice in supporting disadvantaged students

Student support

• Student finance and Welfare• Housing• Security• Mental health team• Counselling

Thank you