Eileen Taylor, second year student on our Foundation Degree in Early Childhood

"I had very mixed feeling about commencing into year 2 on the Early Years foundation degree and what to expect due to the constant challenges of COVID-19 along with the new delivery of teaching. The terms “blended and virtual learning” wasn’t something I was comfortable or familiar with. With year 2 well under way I feel motivated, focused, encouraged and most importantly supported. This has only been possible by the constant support, guidance and reassurance from the teaching staff on the course. The changes in the learning style has changed but one thing that remains the same is the whole hearted encouragement and warmth from the teaching staff. The support that is being offered has been greatly appreciated also acknowledging the additional work that goes into delivering modules through a virtual audience, providing slides (with voice overs) has been invaluable."

Faye Tanner, current student on our BA in Early Childhood

"The current situation has meant that the university experience as we know it has changed completely. Luckily, the Early Childhood team have made sure that through regular updates and opportunities to contact them directly, we have been assured that measures have been put in place to support our continued progression."

Sam Glasse, third year student on our 2+2 Degree

"Although online learning is very different from in person, the content and support from course tutors has been really good. We have been keeping in touch with posts on course forums with individual thoughts and reviews about what we are covering each week."

Pamela McKenna, first year student on our Foundation Degree in Early Childhood

"The Early Childhood team have gone out of their way to ensure we as students feel safe and happy to come into university during Covid-19 and also arranging alternatives for those who are unable to come into university during this time. They offer at all times support and reassurance not just regarding university work but also with any personal issues we face and I can't thank them enough."

Welcome to the Centre for Lifelong Learning at The University of Warwick. We are delighted that you are joining us this year. I know, for many of you, this is the next step to achieving your personal and professional goals and we are looking forward to taking that journey with you.

It has been an unusual few months for us all, across the university we have been making changes to ensure campus is healthy and safe for staff and students. My colleagues within the Centre and your course teams have been working very hard to ensure we are able to welcome you to Warwick safely and that there is support in place to help you succeed. I know they have some very exciting and engaging teaching and learning opportunities awaiting you. The course teams have been working very closely to create a blended learning environment which ensures you have opportunities to develop your knowledge and learning skills. Your Course Directors and tutors will explain these to you in more detail.

Due to current restrictions, there will be times where staff are working away from their offices, so it may take slightly longer than usual for you to meet us all. However, there will be staff available on campus and we are here to support you throughout your time with us.

I look forward to meeting you online and face to face in the coming weeks.

A big warm WELCOME to our new students. After a summer of hard work and planning, we get to introduce a new group of adult learners who are ready to take on the challenge of university study to the Centre – and this year is (hardly!) any different. We hope they become a community of adult learners and can’t wait to see them graduate with their families by their sides in a few years’ time.

In Centre for Lifelong Learning Welcome Week is always an exciting time. We will still be meeting our new cohort, taking them on tours of the University, inducting them into using the Library, IT, and Careers Services, and making all the important steps towards building an active and engaged learning community but for the first time it will all be done virtually.

Although we will miss the hustle and bustle of a busy campus, our students will still get the same experience, being able to chat with academic and support teams as well as meet each other. Our cohort will even get the chance to connect with mature students from other departments in the Students’ Union mature student virtual meet and greet, along with being able to get involved with  online club nights and test out their brain power in the virtual escape rooms.

To ensure our new cohort feel ready to join us in three weeks’ time, we are holding online Q&A panels where staff from the Centre will be available to answer questions, explain how the first few weeks of term may look, and give insider insights into how to be a successful student.

Welcome Week, on the face of it, might not be quite the same as usual but we are confident it will be a great welcome to our new cohort and will equip them to become confident and talented Warwick students. 

The National Student Survey (NSS) is an opportunity for our finalist students to feedback to the Centre and the University on their experiences, opinions, and thoughts about the learning, teaching, and social experience of the undergraduate courses. As a very student focused department, we take the NSS results seriously and this feedback is used to shape our courses going forward.

We are extremely proud to announce that our Foundation Degree in Early Childhood has received 100% overall satisfaction once again. The course also achieved 100% satisfaction in a number of other areas, including:

• The course is intellectually stimulating
• My course has challenged me to achieve my best work
• My course has provided me with opportunities to explore ideas or concepts in depth
• I have been able to contact staff when I needed to
• The timetable works for me

All surveyed academic areas of the course received 90+% satisfaction.

Our 2+2 Social Studies degree increased in satisfaction, achieving 84% overall satisfaction, the highest result in three years. Notably, the course scored highly on "I feel part of a community of staff and students" highlighting the importance of student input to Centre courses.

The Centre has achieved an overall satisfaction of 87.5%, a significant increase on last year and putting us above the University average. Students continue to state that the teaching, learning opportunities and academic support exceed their expectations.

We are delighted that our NSS results for 2020 reflect a strong student satisfaction across all of our undergraduate courses. These results could not be achieved without the dedication of strong teaching and administrational team along with enthusiastic and passionate students who continually strive for excellence within their studies and university experience.