Case study: BA Social Studies / BA Health and Social Policy (2+2 pathway)
2+2 degrees were introduced at Warwick in the early 1990s – and were the first flexible full-time programme for ‘non-traditional’ adult learners within the Russell Group. The programme provides a pathway into the University for local adults who do not have conventional entry qualifications but who demonstrate academic potential and are judged to be able to benefit from the programme. Students spend the first two years at a partner Further Education college before transferring to Warwick where, as with PT degrees, students take the same modules as those on other undergraduate courses within the Humanities and Social Sciences. CLL has academic responsibility for the programme and offers pastoral support for the students throughout their study at Warwick. The programme is currently run in partnership with Coventry College, North Warwickshire and Hinckley College, Solihull College & University Centre and Warwickshire College Group.
Department(s) / colleagues involved
Centre for Lifelong Learning – with modules offered in PAIS, Philosophy, Sociology, Economics, SMLC, WBS, IATL, CES, Law
Our aim was to …
As a result of changes to student funding in the early part of this decade, adult learner participation in higher education declined dramatically across the country. In line with these national trends, recruitment was at a low point in 2012/13 and the programme was only running in collaboration with two colleges. Our aim at this time was to ensure the continued viability of the programme and to look for opportunities to strengthen and enhance the provision.
What we did …
….student numbers have increased more than fourfold over the last four years and, as a consequence, new quality assurance and strategic review processes have been implemented. A new selection process for applicants has been put in place and a new emphasis on reviewing and updating modules in colleges has been introduced. A key focus of our work is the transition from year 2 to year 3 – where students move from a further education environment, where their curriculum is prescribed and they study as a cohort of adult learners, to a University environment, where they choose from a wide range of modules and take far greater responsibility for their own learning. Over the last few years, CLL has worked more closely with students during their college years – providing opportunities to study on campus, meet with key staff in the University and participate in a range of induction and module choice activities.
The outcome has been …
With two new partners and an increased profile within the region, we have seen a fourfold increase in the student population. Our greater presence within the colleges, as well as our new suite of specialist adult education, professional and interdisciplinary modules in the Centre for Lifelong Learning has resulted in significant improvements to both retention and attainment.
The benefit/impact has been …
…. alongside the above, student satisfaction has been excellent. The 2+2 programme scored highest in the University for Overall Satisfaction and for Student Support in the 2015 National Student Survey.
This supports the Education Strategy by …
…. providing an alternative pathway to degree level study for adult students from the local community with little or no formal educational qualifications. The 2+2 programme is a longstanding and highly successful programme that widens access and participation within the University. This flagship programme is one of the most well known and highly regarded widening participation programme within the Russell Group.
The response of students / staff has been …
Here are some examples -
A student case study - https://warwick.ac.uk/study/cll/about/news/?newsItem=8a17841a621f3a690162674a254e148c
2+2 student blogs - https://warwick.ac.uk/study/cll/yourwarwick/studentblogs
Our next steps will be …
We continue to look at ways of enhancing the 2+2 programme, whether that is through the development of new internal and external partnerships or through developing new student-centred and accessible pathways through to degree and postgraduate level study.
To find out more, you can contact …
Dr Simon Glaze – 2+2 Course Director (S.Glaze@warwick.ac.uk)
Further course details - BA (Hons) 2+2 Social Studies