Part-Time Now Barriers To Part-time Learning In The New HE Landscape across the four UK nations Centre for Inclusion and Collaborative Partnerships

National survey (1,342 responses) 25 interviews: Students carers, Disabled students, ‘Worker learners’ CIRCUMSTANCES 22% of respondents had a disability or long-term health condition 39% having children under 18 12% having caring responsibilities for an adult MOTIVATIONS Improving future employability To develop specific of specialised knowledge or skills Improving current careers prospects/chances of promotion Enjoyment of subject It felt like an intellectual challenge FINANCIAL SUPPORT 20% of all HE respondents said they funded their study with savings 20% of all HE respondents said they funded their study with paid work 9% in total across FE and HE said they received support from their employment / business

Research questions Who are part-time students, to what extent do part-time students differ across the four UK nations, and what can be learned about different HE funding regimes? Why do individuals choose to study part-time rather than full-time, and how do they describe their study experiences ?

Aim: To identify and explore in detail the student experience of the range of barriers to part-time learning in HE across the four UK nations, to expand the evidence base of what it feels like to be a part-time student now. Wales report May 2014 UK-wide Survey September 2014 Final Report March 2015 TIMELNIE

Objectives –To better understand the role part-time provision plays in addressing access to higher education and participation issues for different groups of non- traditional learners (who may or may not otherwise take part in HE). –To deliver a more detailed understanding of the diversity of part-time student body, barriers facing part-time students, and a deeper understanding of the range of experiences, needs and identities of part-time students. –To deliver and analyse a UK-wide survey of part-time students. –To deliver a range of focus groups and interviews with part-time students from a wide range of backgrounds.

Resources –Project website: curriculum/projects/projects/part-time-nowhttp:// curriculum/projects/projects/part-time-now –Reading Group education/ education/ –Blogging via The Wide View:

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