Skip to main content Skip to navigation

University of Warwick Faculties

Do student expectations from entry qualifications inhibit HE Biosciences learning?

Do student expectations from entry qualifications inhibit HE Biosciences learning?

Lead: Daniel Franklin

Team: Leda Mirbahai, Robert Spooner, David Tapp, Katrine Wallis

Year: 2024-2025

Summary

Student expectations about the demands of Biosciences, often shaped by entry-level qualifications, may impact their learning experience in higher education (HE). Many students enter Biosciences programs with factual misunderstandings, and misunderstandings about how biology is done, possibly due to the descriptive focus of pre-university Biology curricula. These misunderstandings lead to challenges in studying and teaching Biosciences in HE, affecting students’ confidence, performance and overall experience. Understanding the extent and origin of student understanding can aide HE curriculum design, and feedback into entry qualification requirements, fostering a smoother transition to university-level Biosciences.