All SLN funded research projects were completed in August 2008. Project outcomes will be made available on this website in the near future

In order to ensure that colleges can meet the expectations of National Diploma (Level 3) learners progressing to Level 4 we need to know more about what this type of learner expects from progressing to an HE programme in terms of two main questions.

• How appropriate are the teaching and learning methods used in HE for learners used to a vocational programme of study?
• How well equipped do these learners consider they are to cope with and adapt to potentially new methods of teaching and learning?

It is important for colleges to know and work with the expectations of progressing learners so that that all learners who wish to and have the ability to progress are able to, and that progressing learners receive appropriate advice and guidance to minimise withdrawal from HE programmes that do not match expectations. It is essential that HE programmes help learners to develop the necessary study skills and abilities. This project will survey learners at Level 3 who are thinking of progressing to HE, and those already studying Foundation degrees who have come from national diplomas. The surveys will explore both expectation and experience.

Project Update, April 2008

The literature search for this project has been completed and the surveys for both FE and first year HE students, who progressed from HE, have been written and piloted. The surveys will be conducted in April 2008.

Contact: Jenny Watkins
Email: j.watkins@brighton.ac.uk