1. Karen Thomson Jacqui McKechnie Douglas Forbes

2.  Widening access  Progression and retention figures  Scores on national key performance indicators (NSS and SB)  To gain an insight into the experience of 1st year Psy students  Implement support to help students deal effectively with the transition to university  Explore the factors likely to affect academic performance Karen Thomson, Jacqui McKechnie & Douglas Forbes

3. Ongoing project commenced 2002/03 The development of the current questionnaire Homesickness student expectations versus the reality Data collection  Time 1 – induction week  Time 2 – end of semester A  Academic performance Karen Thomson, Jacqui McKechnie & Douglas Forbes

4.  To identify common sources of information about the discipline of Psychology  To explore students’ expectations of the BSc Psychology programme  To explore the relationship between source of information about Psychology and satisfaction with the programme Karen Thomson, Jacqui McKechnie & Douglas Forbes

5.  Formal psychology qualification Higher/A-level  further education course  reading serious text books  acquaintance who is a psychologist  television documentaries  television entertainment  magazines  university prospectus  open days  other - please specify Karen Thomson, Jacqui McKechnie & Douglas Forbes

6. GroupSource of informationNumber of Participants Academic Group formal qualification i.e. Psychology Higher or A-level further education course 96 Media Group television documentaries television entertainment magazines 34 University Group university prospectus open days website 58

7. Karen Thomson, Jacqui McKechnie & Douglas Forbes GroupTime 1Time 2 Academic Group3.573.66 Media Group2.764.68 University Group3.023.22 Overall3.263.71 (p= 0.017)

8. Karen Thomson, Jacqui McKechnie & Douglas Forbes GroupTime 1Time 2 Academic Group3.683.41 Media Group3.183.24 University Group3.293.57

9. Karen Thomson, Jacqui McKechnie & Douglas Forbes GroupTime 1Time 2 Academic Group4.224.09 Media Group3.793.74 University Group4.163.90* Overall4.123.97 *p=0.012

10. Karen Thomson, Jacqui McKechnie & Douglas Forbes GroupTime 1Time 2 Academic Group4.534.21*** Media Group4.463.92*** University Group4.534.21** Overall4.534.15*** **p<0.01 ***p<0.001

11. Karen Thomson, Jacqui McKechnie & Douglas Forbes Prior qualification in Psychology … 35% of respondents had a prior qualification in Psychology 95%of those with a prior qualification thought it had made the programme easier 67% of those without thought this had been a disadvantage Confidence about careers decreases T1 T2… Those who had a previous psychology qualification felt more sure about what they planned to do after graduating than those who were informed about psychology from a media source

12.  The most useful source of information is a previous qualification in Psychology  University sources are helpful but this should be addressed  Media sources give students confidence about the nature of Psychology but not about the content of an academic programme Karen Thomson, Jacqui McKechnie & Douglas Forbes

13.  Enhanced induction programme ◦ podcasts  Academic staff  Support staff  Students  Virtual tour  Website  Applicant day (April)  Presentation HoD, PL, key teaching staff & support staff  Open Days Karen Thomson, Jacqui McKechnie & Douglas Forbes