The SLN Delivery Plan 2006-08, SLN First Year Review and minutes and papers from the curriculum team and board can be found in SLN plans and papers.

Completed research reports

Foundation Degree Marketing Study

Executive summary.

The SLN has commissioned Papworth Research and Consultancy to undertake a research project to inform the development and promotion of foundation degrees in Sussex. The research has resulted in recommendations in the following areas:

• Successful methods of marketing foundation degrees to target audiences
• The main factors that influence students to apply to study a foundation degree.
• The foundation degree student in Sussex - whether foundation degree students tend to be within the traditional ‘widening participation’ groups, and whether this varies across the curriculum, and between full and part-time provision.
• The experiences of foundation degree students at different geographical locations across Sussex, and how these compare.
• The differences, if any, that are reported by current foundation degree students between their expectations and experience of foundation degrees.
• Levels of awareness of the current foundation degree campaign, and of the existence of foundation degrees.

Graduate Retention Study in Coastal West Sussex

Executive Summary Factsheet

The project investigated what factors influence graduate retention and employability within the West Sussex Coastal AIF. Its aim is to develop an understanding of the employment/labour market sectors and investigate the reasons and influences behind why graduates (including potential graduates) choose to study, live and work within or outside West Sussex Coastal AIF. (Funded by Coastal West Sussex, managed by the Sussex Learning Network and undertaken by Step Ahead Research Ltd.)

SEEC foundation degrees and credit study

The SLN commissioned SEEC to carry out a study looking at the feasibility of developing a common credit framework for foundation degrees in Sussex.

The study identifies key issues relating to credit, and makes recommendations on taking these forward in the context of learner progression.

This report builds on the Progression and Credit Study undertaken by the Sussex Learning Network in December 2006, and complements that study by reviewing:

• institutional processes which support or hinder academic credit awarded through the accreditation of prior certificated learning (APCL) or prior experiential learning (APEL)
• the recognition given to learning gained from the workplace
• the flexibility within programme structures across the SLN
• transfer arrangements relating to credit transfer by receiving institutions
• any key issues relating to credit that arise as a result of the investigation, and recommendations on taking these forward in the context of learner progression.

SLN student study

Executive summary