ADD2212 Understanding non-continuation/degree transfer of undergrads

London has been characterised as a social mobility ‘hotspot’. Students in London’s schools obtain the best GCSE results in the country while London has more of its young people in higher education than ever before. Compared to the rest of the country, London has higher levels of young people attending higher education institutions (HEIs) and also higher levels of diversity in terms of both the ethnic and socio-economic background of HE participants.

However, recent research suggests London’s success in supporting its young people to progress into higher education is not matched by its ability to retain them on their courses. London’s non-continuation rate is significantly above the national average. Research published by the Social Market Foundation has suggested there may be ‘London-specific’ drivers of this higher rate and that black students are more at risk of non-continuation. The research also suggested that lower-tariff institutions had higher rates of non-continuation, which may be of relevance given the diversity of London’s higher education sector.

The research we are commissioning would seek to fill an important evidence gap on what is driving the higher rate in London and why there are higher rates for certain groups of students – black learners, in particular.

The overarching objectives of the research are to better understand the reasons for the higher rates of:

• non-continuation in London higher education
• non-continuation for black students in London higher education
• degree transfer in London and its relationship, if any, with non-continuation in London HE.

A secondary objective is to identify the extent to which 3.1 is linked to students whose parents work or worked in lower-level occupations (socio-economic classes).

The appointed researchers would be expected to deliver their findings in a final report with two presentations of findings.

This research is responding to evidence of a barrier that a specific group faces to benefitting from high quality adult education.

The Mayor’s forthcoming equality, diversity and inclusion strategy will contain a specific strategic objective on increasing the number and diversity of people gaining the skills they need, which includes progression through further/higher level learning and training. This research would directly contribute to that strategic objective.

As well as the equality, diversity and inclusion strategy, this research would be directly relevant to the skills strategy, the economic development strategy and the Mayor’s Vision for Young People. The Economic and Business Policy, Skills, and Education and Youth teams have all been consulted and approved the commissioning of this research. The research will inform a sector approach, recognising the shared interest of higher, medium and lower tariff London higher education institutions in reducing the non-continuation rate.

Risks associated with this research include reputational risks resulting from findings of this research potentially being interpreted as labelling lower-tariff institutions as ‘failing’ their students, or from being perceived to place the ‘blame’ for non-continuation solely on certain groups of students. These risks will be managed through careful consideration of the framing of the research objectives and methodologies and the wording and presentation of the research findings.

The research would be funded by £30,000 from the social mobility budget.