Preparation for Higher Education: A study of collaborative partnerships in easing the transition to HE

Abstract

This paper reports the second stage of a longitudinal study examining a successful collaborative project delivered through a partnership between institutions. The study evaluates a Level 4 module for FE students delivered jointly by Teesside University and a number of partner Colleges of Further Education as a 'spiky profile'. The first phase of the study concentrated on 2006/07 and 2007/08. The research reported here continued the evaluation of the module looking at staff, students and curriculum content for 2008/09. It followed the progression of students from previous cohorts and also examined the scheme's expansion across the region resulting from the success of the original programme.

Keywords

• Widening participation
• partnership working
• collaboration
• transition to HE