1. Understanding part-time College Higher Education AoC College HE Conference 2015 Professor John Storan & Tony Hudson Continuum, University of East London

2. Outline of session Introduction Research aims Research approach Findings Recommendations Discussion

3. Introduction Policy context College HE Significance of College HE Challenges of defining part-time College HE Challenges of unintegrated data sets

4. Research aims Develop a better understanding of part time College HE Identify the reasons for decline in part time College HE Explore the strategies adopted by the colleges to address the decline and future plans for part time College HE Identify the motivations and experiences of part time College HE students Identify recommendations for government to address the decline in part time College HE.

5. Research approach Research team Dr Arti Saraswat, Dr Anne Thompson, Agnieszka Spytkowska, Professor John Storan and Anthony Hudson Literature review Sampling strategy Data collection methods Questionnaire - students Focus groups - students Heads of HE Semi-structured interviews Data analysis

6. Findings Trends in College HE Provision has had specific focus and features but subject to variation in recognition, funding and regulation. Disjuncture between policy and practice. Decline in HEFCE recognised part-time HE and NPHE Mature students still predominate

7. Findings Reasons for decline in part-time College HE Change in fee and funding regime Financial constraints and wider economy ELQ policy limits career change Full-time study is attractive Challenges of marketing to part-time students Absence of centralised admissions service

8. Findings College strategies to address decline in part-time College HE College fees policy Internal progression Flexible modes of delivery and patterns of attendance Continued and closer working relationships with employers Differentiating offer in crowded market

9. Findings Student choice and motivations Instrumental and non-instrumental Earn and learn College rather than university Sources of information, advice and guidance

10. Findings Tuition fees and part time loans Employer support Perception of tuition fees Awareness of part-time tuition fee loans Attitudes towards loans Impact of loans on decision to study

11. Findings Student experience and employer support College HE – a positive experience Challenges for part-time CHE students Multiple deadlines Bite size and flexible learning Extent of employer support Financial support and time off Flexible work options Study leave Mentoring

12. Contact Details Professor John Storan Director j.storan@uel.ac.uk 020 8223 2643 Anthony Hudson Research Manager a.hudson@uel.ac.uk 020 8223 7772 www.uel.ac.uk\continuum

13. Discussion Institutional responses to changes in part-time College HE enrolment. Contribution of part-time College HE. Role of employers in part-time College HE. Delivering College HE.