Supporting Progression for Access to HE Diploma learners Michael Doolan Kensington & Chelsea College Marva de la Coudray SOAS

Supporting Progression for Access to HE Diploma learners Prior to starting programme Ensure learners are ‘Access-to-HE-ready’ Importance of College IAG~ undertaken by experienced Access tutors

Prior to Starting Access Programme Re-engage Adult Learners Use Adult Safeguarded Learning (ASL) courses funded by Borough 10 week non-accredited courses Very short taster courses Enabling Progression to Access 34 week QCF Progression courses 10 week QCF Progression courses 10 week ASL courses eg. ‘Intro to Social Science’ GCSEs in English and maths- especially 2014

On Access Programme Impartial Current A&G Essential Collaboration with experts Choosing the right institution & degree Linking London Student Financial Advice Especially Bursaries, Awards Collaboration with HEIs Develop Existing Progression Agreements HEI support for learners in FE on Access to HE Diplomas

Information Advice & Guidance HIGHER EDUCATION FAIR WED 10 TH OCT pm 3 rd Floor Hall WORNINGTON CENTRE

SOAS support for learners in FE on Access to HE Diplomas Trained SOAS Student Advisors Joint Annual Two Day Conference Automatic Annual Bursary on Degree Programme Interviews dispensed with- quicker offer for students Bridging courses for those meeting terms of offer- August & September: Study Skills workshops; produce an essay and receive feedback Mentors identified for KCC students: student ambassador on suitable degree programme paired in July

SOAS support for learners in FE on Access to HE Diplomas In negotiation Use of SOAS library for KCC students- including completion of Research Skills Unit of Diploma SOAS to review bursary arrangements: survey of KCC students reveals preference for cash/ in kind maintenance grant rather than fee waiver

Challenges to Access to HE Progression FE fees and loans for students 24+ Cut in funding in real terms~ less time for delivery Drop in Applications?  24+ Advanced learning loans to be written off for AHE students completing HE qualification  Incentive to Progress?

Challenges to Access to HE Progression HE student number controls  ABB+ ‘equivalent’ qualifications include Access to HE  New Barrier to Progression: Conditional Offer Inflation  Closer Collaboration with HEIs to Make Offers Achievable  Example of SOAS

Challenges to Access to HE Progression HE tuition fees and loans 7.3% decrease in HE progression for London Access to HE learners 2005~2010 (56.8%~ 49.5%, declining every year)~ Why??

Challenges to Access to HE Progression GCSE Equivalents Perceived Problems Not available to all students Very mixed pattern of acceptance by higher education Often achieved as additional credit, difficult to achieve consistency in the Diploma National policy strongly favours GCSEs for adults, and is doubtful about most equivalents Students can be disadvantaged in future progression and employment if only have equivalents

Challenges to Access to HE Progression GCSE equivalents: Changes From academic year QAA will no longer regulate the claim of GCSE equivalence for groups of Access to HE units Colleges will need to come to arrangements with individual HEIs to accept units within their Diplomas as equivalent~ if new Diploma structure allows Importance of collaboration HE/FE & strong progression agreements

Developments Tracking of progress of KCC students at SOAS & elsewhere i) Quantitative College Specific Progression Data Available Via Linking London ii) Quantitative: Grade profiles From HEIs iii) Qualitative: Feedback from KCC students currently at SOAS

IPPR A critical path: Securing the future of higher education in England Recommendations Fee waivers/ bursaries HEI outreach? Unlimited numbers of students eligible for the student premium, same as grades ABB+? Widening Participation Student Premium of £1,000 extra per low-participation area & free school meals student & abolition national scholarship programme?

IPPR A critical path: Securing the future of higher education in England Contextual admissions data so lower offers made to students from disadvantaged backgrounds, exempting 10 per cent of the lowest grades from entry tariff calculations in university league tables? Eligibility for part-time loans should be expanded to help tackle the crisis in part-time learning?