Pre-arrival & Induction A coordinated approach Jenni Murray Student Induction Coordinator Pre-arrival & Induction Team, Student Recruitment & Admissions University of Edinburgh

Overview Who is the Induction Team? Overview of our Induction programme – Welcome Week What has our team done to enhance this transition? Listen to our students Pre-arrival communications Using technology Engaging with staff Engaging Parents & Families Questions

Who is the Induction Team? Kristin Sargeant Full-Time Jenni Murray Part-time (3 days) Liz Dobson-McKittrick Part-time (2 days) until Nov Chris Sim Induction Assistant Part-time (2 days) Aim: Aim: Co-ordinating and enhancing pre-arrival and induction support, enabling our diverse student population to successfully transition to university life and study at the University of Edinburgh.

Mon.Tues.Wed.Thurs.FriSat.Sun. 1 st 2 nd 3 rd 4 th 5 th 6 th 7 th 8 th 9 th 10 th 11 th 12 th 13 th 14 th 15 th 16 th 17 th 18 th 19 th 20 th 21 st 22 nd 23 rd 24 th 25 th 26 th 27 th 28 th 29 th 30 th Welcome Week (previously referred to as “Freshers’ Week”)

Welcome Week events: International Day

So what did we do?

Listen to our students 45% Rest of world 55% UK UG - PGT - PGR - 17% UK 40% UK 83% Rest of world 60% Rest of world UG – 1,898 responses = 27% response rate PG – 1,717 response = 30% response rate UG – 90% satisfied with Welcome Week experience PG – 91% satisfied with Welcome Week experience

Listen to our students 9 out of 10 UG and PG students are satisfied with their experience of UofEd thus far (October) **Notably though in both surveys UK students more likely to be “very satisfied” compared to International students UG - 47% vs 41% PG - 49% vs 40% “I’m loving my time here! It’s even better than expected!” “I love the student support system here and think this is a wonderful place to learn and grow in” “I felt welcome from the first day!”

Listen to our students Things we can continue to improve upon:  Pre-arrival communications  More details about courses and outside subjects  Timetables  Tutorial, Lecture, Lab – what do these mean for me?  More time and specific events in Schools to meet fellow course mates, academic and support staff  Confusing IT systems and terminology – what do they all do? EASE, LEARN, MyEd, Path….

Pre-arrival Communications Students receive comms from: College & School University Central Services: Admissions, Registry, Finance, Accommodation, Disability Service, International Office, IT, etc Students’ Union (EUSA) Checklist Getting Started Guides: On Campus students (relevant to UG and PG) Online Distance Learners International Student New Student website (

Using technology New Student webpages: Welcome Week app

Student Welcome Helpers

Engaging parents/guardians! Parent Info session during Open Days Undergraduate Open Days - Recruitment Parent Welcome and Tea Reception September Welcome Arrival Weekend Future - Online Resources

Engage with staff! Working Groups – pull together people across departments/ Schools Gearing Up Conference Framework for Induction Resources available on wiki Framework Case Studies of best practice Welcome Talk presentation templates Student Feedback

Engage with staff Pilot Project: Making Transitions Personal Framework approach Piloted in 3 Schools & the Visiting Student Office Dissemination to other Schools On-going enhancements & web resources

Academic Induction Pilot projects Maths Divinity Gearing Up Conference Academic Transitions Toolkit (for staff) Practical Strategies for...helping students with transitions (staff workshops) ‘Stepping up to honours’ workshops (students)

Shared focus across Scottish Higher Education – all looking at ‘Student Transitions’: Into University (our focus in the Induction Team) ‘Through’ University (between years, into work placement, study abroad etc) Out of university Pract Useful resources on the QAA website:

Questions?

Thank you! Jenni Murray Student Induction Coordinator Pre-arrival & Induction Team, Student Recruitment & Admissions University of Edinburgh or