The University of Northumbria's Case Study

PARs for full-time mature undergraduate students

Rationale

Traditionally a large proportion of mature students, especially from the local area, attend undergraduate courses at Northumbria and within Historical and Critical Studies. It is also the stated intention of the University to increase the participation rate of such students.

Numbers participating

Students: 5 (Year 2: 3; Year 3: 2)

Other groups involved

Member of Centre for Research in Teaching and Learning.

Timescale of the case study exercise

November 1998

Adequacy of existing PAR provision for case study student group

The evaluation was carried out by face-to-face interviews,

Key findings

• Perception among case study students of nature of difference in needs between themselves and school-leaver students.
• Identification by students of practical nature of their needs.
• Suggestion that help in meeting these needs would make it easier for students to cope with the wider range of demands placed on them.
• Perception of the quality of guidance and support provided for mature students as high.
• Appreciation of the pre-entry guidance provided.
• Lack of a mature students' induction programme.
• Wish for more formal social integration of student group.
• Some evidence of negative student-tutor relations.
• Some evidence of positive student-tutor relations.
• Perception of themselves as already life-long learners diminished their sense of importance of PAR.
• Belief that life experiences prior to University enrich their learing processes.
• Perception that written record of marks within PAR is valuable.
• Need to modify PAR if it is to meet the needs of mature students.

  Full Report