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

We plan to carry out research on students currently following BTEC National Diploma in Early Years at Varndean College. The intention is to examine their backgrounds in terms of social class, educational history and previous school, and then to look at their progression into HE in terms of their experience and also their attitude and expectations.

We will look at two cohorts (about 25-30 students in each) - students finishing their course in 2007, and students finishing their course in 2008.

We will conduct a series of interviews with students to collect background data and examine their attitudes towards progression into higher education.

By doing this research we hope to gain a greater awareness of the issues surrounding the progression of vocational students into higher education. This will inform the advice and support they receive in terms of applying for and participating in higher education.

Email: pfb@vardean.ac.uk