Case studies
The first PAR was designed for full-time, single honours undergraduates starting
a non-vocational course at the age of 19. PADSHE student evaluations from an early
stage suggested customising PARs for distinct student groups (e.g. postgraduates,
mature entrants, students on vocational courses). In response to this need, project
teams started work on some first case-study areas, all located within Arts disciplines.
As part of the PADSHE Project for 1999-2000, case studies will be developed at
the University of Reading (Joint Honours courses) and at the City University (externally-regulated
vocational courses), and the discipline range will be widened.
1. University of Birmingham: Joint Honours Students
There are as many Joint Honours and Single Honours Students taught in the School
of English at Birmingham and therefore a need to explore the potential for greater
harmonisation across disciplines in PARs processes.
2. University of Liverpool John Moores: Part-time Masters Students
The most diverse of JMU's intakes, MA students differ in age, ethnicity and occupation
and come from a wide range of educational backgrounds, career tracks and aspirations.
As MA students do not have Personal Tutors as such, this group offers a challenging
context in which to evaluate a PADR scheme.
3. University of Newcastle: Taught Postgraduate Students
How far might PARs help taught postgraduates? And might they also meet institutional
wishes to provide a more structured framework and ensure quality in postgraduate
qualifications?
4. University of Northumbria: Mature Undergraduates
A large proportion of mature students, often locally-based, already take undergraduate
courses at Northumbria and the University intends to increase the participation
rate of this group. How should PARs adapt to meet their needs?
5. University of Nottingham: Study Abroad Students
One school perceived a need to introduce a PAR element for a compulsory but non-assessed
semester which is spent in a North American university in Year 2. The principles
apply to a wide range of courses in other disciplines which offer a period of
work or study off-campus or in another country. Because of distance, this study
also involved the use of electronic communication.
