Students’ transitions and transformations

Team: Dr. Ana Zeron, Rachael King, Liz MacDougall, Calder Ferguson

School: Centre for Open Learning

Abstract

The CAHSS Access course, established in 2018 at the University of Edinburgh, helps adults

returning to education gain qualifications for undergraduate admission. A 2023 evaluation showed the programme successfully widens participation for non-traditional students, who find it. transformative and value the academic and soft skills it provides. However, these students lack a sense of belonging to the wider university, feeling different due to age, social class, and educational background. In 2023-2024, a new initiative began connecting the Access Programme with the School of Literatures, Languages & Cultures to improve student transitions from Access to UG study and raise awareness among staff. This research project will use qualitative methodology through narrative analysis to capture the experiences of current and former Access students in their transition from Access to UG degrees in LLC. 

Anticipated outcomes include evaluating the new Access-LLC network's effectiveness; tracking belonging development and recommending support improvements; identifying best practices and documenting the programme's contribution to widening participation through individual experiences.