We take a longitudinal approach to student induction, working across the student lifecycle, focusing on the needs of prospective and current students. This includes a range of projects and activities which aim to improve the learning experience of all students and encourage student engagement, empowerment and success. All those processes which contribute to facilitating the successful transition, progression and completion of students from a diverse range of social, ethnic and educational backgrounds, are therefore inextricably part of our progression and retention strategy.

We underpin our work on progression and retention by consistently reviewing and providing effective learning and development opportunities which ensure that all students are able to achieve their full potential. The University is committed to providing a stimulating learning environment for all students, breaking down barriers to learning and enabling students to develop as independent learners, and fulfil their academic potential.

We are working with academic staff and other colleagues to support the academic and social engagement, and transition of students through:

• Pro-actively managing the student transition to our enquiry-based learning culture
• Clarifying an understanding of HE level learning through clear pre-entry information, pre-induction activities, and early formative assessment
• Placing students at the centre of our education mission and stimulating them to take an active part in their learning, and in their overall experience of the University
• Providing high quality, engaging and progressively challenging enquiry-based learning opportunities for all students
• Creating an inclusive environment for students where differences are respected, diversity is valued and all students are treated in a fair and non-discriminatory way

How we are doing this:

We have already made substantial progress on our approach to enhancing the student learning experience and promoting student success through:

1. adopting the new teaching and learning strategy (Download - internal use only)
2. embedding and mainstreaming best practice from the Learner Independence Projects
3. pro-actively managing the student transition (Induction Guidelines - internal use only)
4. reviewing and developing innovative curriculum, assessment and feedback, and peer-support processes

Useful internal links, documents and resources:

• a set of generic pre-induction skills materials for prospective students that provide a short, realistic introduction to learning in higher education - www.skills4uni.bham.ac.uk
• a 'Getting Started' DVD  that highlights student experiences of the successful transition to academic, university life
• a learning and teaching resource. The Enquiry-Based Learning (EBL) site - www.ebl.bham.ac.uk
• a Guide to Effective Learning (GEL) - www.gel.bham.ac.uk
• information about our Equality and Diversity strategy
• Progression and Retention Action Framework (2008) (Download - internal use only)
• Induction Audit Template (Download - internal use only)

Useful external links, documents and resources:

• FYE survey/findings Mantz Yorke
• NAO report on Retention (2008)
• QAA report on Quality Enhancement: The First Year Experience -                http://www.enhancementthemes.ac.uk/themes/FirstYear/outcomes.asp
• Student Transition and Retention Project (STAR) - http://www.ulster.ac.uk/star/

For more information, please contact:

Gale Dawson
Tel: 0121 414 4736
email: g.dawson@bham.ac.uk