Work

An evaluation of the first year experience from the mature students' perspective; a multi-institutional comparison

Year: 2007

Type: article

Abstract: This study investigates the experiences of mature students across three higher education institutions in the UK. The issues arising are of relevance to academics who are involved in widening participation and in evaluating support in their own programmes for the diversity of students. The sample includes mature students from programmes in Health, where mature students form a majority, and in Business, where mature students formed a minority. Focus groups were used to gain access to student perspectives on expectations, motivations, sacrifices, transitions, induction, programmes and assessment. The findings include misleading information that did not acknowledge the particular concerns and needs of mature students, induction processes that were not experienced as inclusive by mature students, and varying experiences of support but overall the institutional context was significant.

Source: Practitioner Research in Higher Education

Authors: Amanda Chapman, Deeba Parmar, Eileen Trotter

Institutions: University of Cumbria, Middlesex University London, University of Salford

Language: English

Topic: Higher Education Research Studies

Subfield: Education

Field: Social Sciences

Domain: Social Sciences

SDGs: Quality education, Reduced inequalities

Open Access status: diamond

OpenAlex ID: W2065887142

FWCI:

Cites: 19

Cited by: 5

Related to: 10