Your November Member Benefits
Our Connect Benefit Series runs throughout the membership year, focusing on specific themes each month. The series comprises outputs including webinars, publications and blogs. The series is open to all colleagues at Advance HE member institutions.
The wide-ranging impacts of Covid-19 have increased the risk of student non-continuation. Students’ accounts of their experience during lockdown and of their isolation on return to university and college remind us of the extraordinary challenges they face, and of how little we know of the consequences for students' successful transition to and through higher education.
Student retention was pre-pandemic already in recent decline in England. The priority for many HEIs this year is ensuring that retention figures do not decline further (while obviously seeking gains wherever these can be found). To do this, HEIs will be looking at their usual retention systems and practices, and evaluating what adjustments need to be made, what new approaches adopted, and reflecting on what else we can do to ensure that the Covid-19 and post-Covid intake “stay the course”.
The Connect Benefit Series is an Advance HE member benefit and is open to colleagues at Advance HE member institutions. Information on Advance HE membership can be found via the link below.
November's Connect Benefit Series will explore how student retention practices are adapting and changing to meet the needs of this exceptional cohort. Those participating will have had the opportunity to:
- better understand the challenges students are facing
- access quality information on existing approaches to student retention
- reflect on how retention systems & practices can be adapted and new ideas implemented
- discuss how we work collaboratively in competitive environments to ensure the success of all our students.
Webinar - Exceptional student retention: how to support and retain the Covid-19 generation in higher education
Join Joan O’Mahony (Advance HE) and our panel Professor Ruth Woodfield, (Professor of Equalities and Organisation, University of St Andrews), Aveek Bhattacharya (Chief Economist, Social Market Foundation), Sue Horder (Associate Dean, Glyndŵr University), and John Fairhurst (Managing Director and Academic Principal, Bloomsbury Institute London) to discuss the old and new challenges to student retention, adapted practice, obstacles to meaningful change across the sector, and how we work towards the solutions.
Student voices
Self-filmed first and second year students talk about higher education: what they like and what they would change
Related blogs
Related events, services and resources
Below you will find information on Advance HE services and resources which relate to the member benefits listed above.
Student retention and success in higher education
Key projects, resources and ways you can connect with student retention
‘Retention’ is about students remaining in one HE institution and completing a programme of study. ‘Success’ recognises that students benefit from HE study in a wide range of ways, including personal development and progression into work and career or further learning.
We work in close partnership with institutions and sector bodies to enhance the student learning experience to improve retention and success.
Student Engagement Conference 2021
Leading Student Engagement in Times of Crisis and Transformation
New for 20-21 is our Student Engagement Conference. Combining Advance HE's extensive research in this area with experts in the field, this one-day virtual conference will explore good practice in enaging students primarily with their own studies - leading to increased retention and successful outcomes - and more holistically in terms of partnership with staff and the decision-making processes within HEIs. It will explore leadership of student engagement through a 360 degree lens including the role of all staff, the Student Union, and the community as well as considering how we ensure inclusive engagement and remove all inequalities.
Surveys & Insights Conference 2021
Adapting to challenging times
In the past few months the higher education sector has faced unprecedented challenges. While gathering and reflecting the student voice has always been critical, it has arguably become even more necessary in these times to ensure the quality of the student experience as it evolves. Surveys, measurement tools, qualitative research and other techniques have a key role to play in capturing and understanding feedback from students and staff. The wider insight generated from these techniques can in turn deliver creative solutions with real impact.
The Advance HE Surveys & Insights Conference provides an opportunity to discuss and debate the potential of insight from surveys, metrics, qualitative research and wider methods of capturing the voice of the student for driving excellence and enhancement within higher education.
Services to support student retention
The consultancy and enhancement services are designed to support student retention. Advance He member institutions receive a 10% discount on these services.
Webinar - Nailing jelly to a wall: Providing wellbeing support in a time of uncertainty - Episode 2
24 November
The newly refreshed MWBHE (Mental Wellbeing in Higher Education) Expert Group housed at Advance HE is delighted to invite you to join the second of two events hosted by frontline practitioners for frontline practitioners.
Student surveys
UK Engagement Survey (UKES)
The UK Engagement Survey (UKES) is the only nationwide undergraduate survey to focus on student engagement. This year's survey measures the levels of engagement of UK undergraduates from February to June 2020.
Student Academic Experience Survey (SAES)
The annual Advance HE-HEPI Student Academic Experience Survey shows how full-time undergraduate students rate their time in higher education and their attitudes towards policy issues that impact upon them. SAES has been designed and developed in partnership with the Higher Education Policy Institute (HEPI) and with interviews conducted independently by YouthSight.
Publications and blogs
- An exceptional transition to higher education: induction of new and returning students during the ‘new normal’ year - a short, practical, summary of the key points to address for successful induction and a reminder of the common pressure points and concerns that students will experience throughout their journey to, though, and on from higher education.
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Three months to make a difference - A booklet highlighting seven key areas that present challenges for disabled students and recommendations as to how institutions and policy makers can urgently address them is published today.
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Fellowship programme transforms Thai institution - our Certificate of Learning and Teaching in Higher Education (CLTHE). delivered at Walailak University results in massive improvement in student retention.
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Student retention and success: reflecting on the role of mental wellbeing in the curriculum and university - Dr Michelle Morgan reflects on some of the key areas that HEIs will need to address in their approach to supporting and retaining students.
Creating Socially Distanced Campuses and Education project
The Creating Socially Distanced Campuses and Education project was designed as an opportunity to engage with key facets through collaborative and generative thinking and dialogue. While the ‘socially distanced campus’ is a very broad issue, the focus of the project was on the priority area of student education and experience.
Advance HE Connect
Advance HE Connect our online network that is open to all those who work in HE providing a space where the sector can share, connect and collaborate in one place with 19,000 HE peers from 100 countries around the globe. The platform features special interest groups, events and collaborative projects.
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