This guide is an outcome of the project ‘Dispositions to Stay – and Succeed’ part of a HEFCE / Paul Hamlyn funded Retention Grants Programme to identify evaluate and disseminate good practice relating to student retention in the Higher Education (HE) sector.
Northumbria University in partnership with Bedfordshire and Manchester universities conducted research from 2008 to 2011 (Harding J and Thompson J 2011) into the retention and progression of students. A significant finding was that students’ relationships with both staff and their peers were key factors in them achieving their goals and completing their academic programme. This guide draws upon systematically-gathered qualitative data from 32 employed graduates 27 graduates and 10 members of staff. Its purpose is to explain and illustrate for academic staff how retention and progression might be improved in Higher Education through careful management of relationships both with students and between them.
