1. Claire Coleman and Peter Tormey
Transition from Further to Higher Education: Edinburgh Napier University
Claire Coleman and Peter Tormey

2. The Scottish Context
The Scottish Funding Council (SFC) (2015) has an ambition for articulating students;
to grow from 49% of HN entrants to 75% in the next ten years
for articulation provision in Universities to grow from 11% to 25%
with growth of new articulation pathways in new Universities
new additional routes, such as S6 schools, foundation apprenticeships and work based qualifications
SFC (2016, p.2) have called for ‘boldness in the approach to articulation’
The Commission of Widening Access report (2016) makes clear recommendations (8-10) for the future of articulation in Scotland

3. College to University *
Articulation in Higher Education
Articulation:
The movement of students from Higher National Qualifications (HNQs) at college into second or third year of a university degree
‘Advanced Standing’
‘2+2 or ‘1+3’ model
Full credit awarded
College to University *
4th Year (Honours Degree)
HND
3rd Year (Ordinary Degree)
HNC
2nd Year
1st Year
*Dependent on satisfying entry requirements

4. Edinburgh Napier University
A brief introduction
Total on campus student population 13,568
11,002 undergraduate
2,566 postgraduate
Majority through ‘traditional’ entry routes into 1st year
Articulation routes, with advanced entry & no loss of time
Articulation agreements with institutions across Scotland
The number of agreements continue to grow

5. Articulation at Edinburgh Napier University
Highest number of articulating students in the east of Scotland (~723) and second highest in Scotland
In 2016/17, 28% of entrants (2,618) articulated from a college
Bespoke academic and social integration throughout the student journey: in college, pre-entry, first trimester, moving through, moving on
Collaboration between the Widening Participation team, Employment & Opportunities team and respective Schools.

6. To provide some context…..

7. The Associate Degree Scheme at Edinburgh Napier University
School of Computing
School of Engineering and the Built Environment
Features
Typically ‘2+2’ model’: HNC/D years (SCQF level 7/8)
Guaranteed place*
ENU matriculated students (access to resources)
428 funded places (107 students per year)
*Dependent on satisfying entry requirements

8. Associate Engineering Degree
HNC year (1st year university equivalent)
5 key academic development workshops:
Gayle – holistic transitional support
SCQF level 7
Effective Studying
Academic Writing
Report Writing
Evaluating Academic Sources
Exam Prep & Revision
....contextualised for HN Graded Unit
Additional workshops:
Presentation Skills
Referencing
Graphs & Tables

9. Associate Engineering Degree: Pre-Entry
‘Let’s Start’ applicant day
Course information, guidance and social event
Typically for HND to 3rd year applicants
Named university contact (Coming From College Adviser)
Signposting to online resources
i.e. ‘Get Ready’ and ‘Coming ‘From College’ Moodle pages
Attend a ‘Getting Started’ induction event

10. Articulating Student Induction
Subject-specific academic induction events in ‘week 0’
‘Signposts to Success’
SCQF level 9 equivalent
Focuses on course-specific pertinent transitional issues
Presentation
Workbook

11. Articulating Student Support
Tailored social and personal transition events called ‘Getting Started’
Embedded into ‘week 1’ (Freshers’ Week) academic timetable
Wider student demographics; international entrants in addition to Scottish-domiciled
Edinburgh Napier's Schools:
Computing
Engineering and the Built Environment
Applied Sciences
Health & Social Care
Business
Arts & Creative Industries
Academic Support Adviser
Academic Skills Advisers

12. Coming from College Adviser
Additional Transitional Resources 1
Coming from College Adviser 2 3

13. Academic Skills Development
Delivered by the Academic Skills Team
Academic skills workshops – ‘open’ and ‘integrated’
One-to-one appointments
School-specific staff expertise available
Caters for SCQF levels 7-10 and postgraduate studies
Supplements pre-entry support and online resources

14. One-to-one appointment
Advice and guidance on a piece of academic work
First assignment at university
Interpreting lecturer feedback and creating a bespoke study plan
Continues from where Signpost to Success finishes – referral relationship
Fosters student autonomy and self-efficacy

15. Academic Skills Workshops
open for all
or embedded into academic timetable
wide range of topics
Aimed at:
students who are new to the University
3rd and 4th year students

16. Continually expanding
Workshop menu….
Continually expanding
128 - Workshops on Academic Skills database (currently!)
Varying
SCQF levels

17. Academic Skills Workshops
‘Emergency’ support
Workshop
Study aids
Personal development and training development
Students have the opportunity to engage and ask questions

18. Coming from College Adviser
Regular contact via throughout Trimester 1 and Trimester 2
Option to meet at any time during the first year of study for guidance
Provides continuity from the pre-entry and transition events
Liaise with Academic Skills team, support services and academic staff – holistic approach

19. Coming from College Adviser Academic Skills Advisers
Transitional Support at Edinburgh Napier University
Key
SEBE
School of Engineering and the Built Environment
SoC
School of Computing
HLSC
School of Health, Life & Social Care
SACI
School of Arts & Creative Industries
SAS
School of Applied Sciences
TBS
The Business School
Scottish College
SEBE
SoC
HLSC
SACI
SAS
TBS
HNC
(SCQF level 7)
1st year
Associate Studentship Programme
2nd year
HND
(SCQF level 8)
Dotted line = Associate Studentship Scheme
Solid line = articulation route
Let’s Start
Signposts to Success
Getting Started
Stages of Transition + Bespoke Support
(SCQF level 9)
3rd year
Coming from College Adviser
Academic support
Appointments
(SCQF level 10)
4th year =
Positive Transitional Experience & High Self-Efficacy
School Support
Academic Skills Advisers

20. To recap… Collegial relationship with partner Colleges
Edinburgh Napier University is a key articulation provider
Interventions staged at points of transitional along the learner’s journey: HN at College, applicant, pre-entry, transition into and through University and moving on
Collegial relationship with partner Colleges
Streamed, bespoke for student/programme requirements
Continually reviewed and developed