FOUNDATION DEGREE TO BSc (Hons): PROGRESSION & ACHIEVEMENT at UH from
2006-2010
ANYA HIGGINS SENIOR LECTURER SPORT STUDIES & LINK TUTOR
University of Hertfordshire, School of Life Science, Hatfield, AL10 9AB
2006-2008
Results
Introduction
Since 2006 77 students from the Hertfordshire Higher Education
Consortium (HHEC) have progressed successfully from completion of a
Foundation Degree in Sport Studies into a final third year of study at UH
under the now defunct Interdisciplinary Scheme. Since 2008 these students
have progressed directly into the BSc (Hons) Sport Studies. Regardless of
pathway choice available in a final year of study, there has been a trend of
non completion of a project in a 3rd final year. From 2006-2008 only 42%
undertook and completed a FYP. Figures 1 and 2 display rates of
progression and project uptake.
This has caused some concern as even though students were given an
option of deferral, the numbers opting to defer have been small and those
who defer do not traditionally return to further their achievements. This
option is more widely known however and as of 2009 5 students have
successfully been supervised since 2008-2009 , but taking an additional
year to complete . Data is as yet insignificant to comment upon.
As both the Foundation Degree and the opportunity to achieve a full BSc
(Hons) is marketed, advertised and planned into the pathway structures,
having a significant number of progressing student opt out of FYP has
been both disconcerting and worrying, posing some issues to investigate.
In 2009/10 this trend appears to have been reversed with (n=17 of 26
progressing students (65%) opting to study for a FYP as part of their final
year. Focus groups were carried out to investigate reasons for this reversal
with both a small group ( n=4) who did not complete FYP in 2009/10 and
with a larger group ( n=9) to establish a rationale with the aim of informing
future cohorts, delivery teams and other pathway programmes involved in
the support and transition of Foundation Degree students into Final Year
undergraduate study.
Method
REASONS
42%
58%
FIGURE 2 PROGRESSION RATES 2006-2009
Group 1 ( N=9) had additionally undertaken a further 30 credits as a FYP
and Group 2 (N=4)had decided to not undertake a FYP in 2009/10. Their
views and opinions were discussed separately and themes systematically
drawn from an analysis of the focus group.
FACTORS WHICH
HELPED
REASONS
AGAINST
• Tutors both at UH and tutors from FD routes
• Group Cohesion & Peer Group Experience
• FD WBL project
• Poor time management skills/ Ethics procedure
• Lack of workable ideas
• Concentrate on employment/improving GCSEs to progress into PGCE
Summary & Conclusions
The main points yielded reveal that there has been a strong sense
30
of future progression option into employment and a sense of “team”
25
evident.
Many
participants
having
being
made
fully
aware
of
the
20
option
to
defer
but
making
a
conscious
decision
to
embark
on
a
full
PROGRESSION
15
rd year. The camaraderie displayed by the cohort is
degree
in
their
3
NUMBERS
10
evident
in
their
support
of
each
other
throughout
having
been
firmly
PROJECT
STUDENTS
5
established
well
within
the
college
environment
first.
Peer
group
0
pressure therefore has worked positively for this cohort in the sense
that it has motivated them and encouraged them to accept
challenges. Feeling prepared was an element which was strong
amongst this group with many citing examples of Bridging Day and
Progression Day activities which smoothed the path for most
students however even though many felt unprepared with data
FIGURE 3 RADAR CHART COMPARING OPINIONS AND
analysis and research methodology they have been adequately
VIEWS REGARDING ENCOURAGEMENT READINESS,
PREPAREDNESS AND REGRET
equipped to seek support. Also many of these student cited support
from not only within the confines of UH but probably most
interestingly from their previous FD route from which many have
kept channels of communication open and accessible.
Encouraged
Regret
Two focus groups were conducted with 13 participants who had progressed
into a 3rd year of study at UH in 2009/2010. All students were undertaking
and near completion of 3 modules of study which will enable them to
graduate with an ordinary degree if successful in all 90 credits.
PROJECT
STUDENTS
NON PROJECT
STUDENTS
• To achieve honours classification
• To progress into workplace quickly
• Expectation of university experience
9
8
7
6
5
4
3
2
1
0
Discouraged
Fully
Prepared
4th Yr Benefit
Partially
prepared
GROUP 1
PROJECT
STUDENTS
GROUP 2 NON
PROJECT
STUDENTS
Recommendations
Instilling a strong sense of group cohesion amongst progressing
groups, from both within college pathways but also as distinctive
group within a final year , minimising differences in academic
content and exposing progressing groups to elements of research
design, philosophy and analysis which may not be prevalent within
a FD programme. Enabling previous pathways to be accessed.
References & Acknowledgements
The author would like to thank the current 2009/2010 Year 3 Sport Studies student cohort who have made a superb
progression from their local colleges of West Herts College, Oaklands College and North Hertfordshire College to the
University of Hertfordshire and of whom all vociferously and enthusiastically took part in the Focus Groups.