Access at the University of Glasgow

Alec MacKinnon Kevin Francis

Centre for Open Studies

A University Introduction to Study for Mature Students 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 adults potentially able to benefit from higher education who have not had the opportunity Aimed at providing a supportive preparation for HE for those returning to education
maybe after many years and with only bad memories and no qualifications

A University Introduction to Study for Mature Students GU Extra-mural/Department of Adult and Continuing Education from 1951 Access for mature students from 1979 (Scottish Wider Access Programme from 1985; primarily FE sector) Initially to Arts and Social Sciences Became acceptable for Law during 1980s; Law option added early 2005-06 Science and Engineering from 1992 Accountancy, Social Work, Nursing in 2000s

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)

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

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

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, swimming pool!) Failure to cope with academic demands Events in students lives external to the institution

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 with bridges being burnt Events in students lives external to the institution

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 without bridges being burnt Events in students lives external to the institution are of course more likely for adults..

Students enrolled on Access

350 300

250

200

150

100

50

0 2005-06 2006-07 2007-08 2008-09 2009-10

Socio-economic background (home postcode)

SIMD Decile

125

100

Frequency

75

50

25

0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

SIMD Decile

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

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 gain adequate grades for progression to University
DACEAccess MeanGPA MedianGPA Std.Dev. 12.7884 12.7200 1.35392 Traditional 12.7789 12.6700 1.31793 OtherAccess 12.5159 12.5000 1.36334

Outcomes once in GU

DACEAccess Traditional MeanGPA MedianGPA Std.Dev. 12.7884 12.7200 1.35392 12.7789 12.6700 1.31793

Other Access 12.5159 12.5000 1.36334

Current issues
Level of demand Changing situation for Admissions International(!) demand Recruitment from disadvantaged groups

Conclusions
GU Access Programmes provide a preparation and way into HE for a wide range of people Remains valuable and popular Emphasis today on statistics; huge range of human stories