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Exploring the Journey: Understanding the Decision to Become a Student in Higher Education

This research project by Dr. Hazel Knox and Dr. Anne McGillivray at the University of Paisley investigates the motivations and decision-making processes of potential part-time students considering university entry for the first time. It explores the various phases—enquirers, applicants, and entrants—highlighting their experiences, influences, and challenges. The study emphasizes the importance of flexible study options, personal aspirations, and practical considerations such as financial constraints and support mechanisms in shaping educational pathways.

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Exploring the Journey: Understanding the Decision to Become a Student in Higher Education

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  1. TO BE OR NOT TO BE A STUDENT? Dr Hazel Knox Dr Anne McGillivray Centre for Lifelong Learning University of Paisley

  2. Research Context • University of Paisley • Full- & part-time provision majority of awards • Flexible study opportunities • Day, evening, weekend classes • Scottish Credit and Qualifications Framework operationalised in terms of credit accumulation and transfer • Generic degrees • Exit awards, Certificate of HE to Masters • CPD - “from module to Masters”

  3. Research Project • Focus on part-time students considering University entry for the first time • Enquirers • Applicants • Entrants • Decision-making processes and influences

  4. Enquirers • Telephoned UNIDIRECT • Sent part-time information pack • Catalogue • Application form • Special needs form • No further contact with University

  5. Applicants • Telephoned UNIDIRECT • Sent part-time information pack • May have had guidance (telephone, email, information session, appointment …) • Submitted application, received and accepted offer • Did not enrol

  6. Entrants • Telephoned UNIDIRECT • Sent part-time information pack • May have had guidance (telephone, email, information session, appointment …) • Submitted application, received and accepted offer • Enrolled

  7. unaware aware interest under- standing desire action THE LEARNING CONTINUUM Applicants Entrants Enquirers

  8. Research Methodology • ENQUIRERS: workshop participation or telephone interview or questionnaire • APPLICANTS: telephone interview or questionnaire • ENTRANTS: questionnaire • QUANTITATIVE & QUALITATIVE DATA

  9. Workshop for Enquirers • Is HE for me?

  10. Scope of Research • ENQUIRERS (438/759 UNI-DIRECT) • Workshop participants (27) 18 • Telephone interviews (253) 77 • Questionnaires (158) 28 • APPLICANTS (75 previous semester) • Telephone interviews (32) 11 • Questionnaires (43) 4 • ENTRANTS (152 Summer Programme) • Questionnaires (152) 90

  11. Data Gathered • ALL • Reasons for considering University study • Perception of value of University study • ENQUIRERS • Influences on decision whether or not to proceed with enquiry • APPLICANTS • Influences on decision not to enrol • ENTRANTS • Factors weighed up in deciding to study

  12. General findings - 1 • Reasons for considering study • CPD, career progression, career change • Gain university award • Unfulfilled ambition (female) • Personal interest (age related) • Perceptions of value of study • Beneficial/essential

  13. General findings - 2 • Influences on initial decision to enquire • Subjects available • Location (priority for entrants) • Evening study • Build on prior credit

  14. Enquirers – Workshop participants (18) • Already committed to study • Achieve degree, CPD, Career change, Unfulfilled aspirations, Continue learning • “Information & more information advice & more advice” • How part-time study works, how to get started, modules to meet individual needs, timetable, cost …

  15. Enquirers – Telephone interviewees (77) • University-related issues • 33 Seeking guidance • 17 Enrolled/applied/following up • 18 Additional university information • Other issues • 7 Enrolled elsewhere • 4 Decided not to study • 8 Other - enquiry for someone else, modules unsuitable, transport, thought too difficult

  16. Enquirers - Questionnaire respondents (28) • 5 following up enquiry • 2 study elsewhere • 21 decision not to proceed with enquiry • Personal circumstances • Financial considerations • Suitable provision not available • Lack of information • Change in employment situation

  17. Applicants - telephone & questionnaire (11+4) • Decision not to proceed with enrolment • Personal circumstances • Change of provision • Financial considerations • Change in employment situation • Lack of confidence

  18. Entrants – questionnaire (90) • Factors weighed up in deciding to study • Financial considerations • Lack of confidence • Time, fit with family and/or work • Lack of information • Travel / childcare

  19. Conclusions: what have we learned? • Initially “serious” enquiries • Extrinsic factors “real” or “rationalised” • Personal circumstances • Financial considerations • Employment / family commitments • Lack of confidence • Overtaken by extrinsic factors in early stages • Not confronted until entry

  20. Conclusions: what have we learned? • Information needs • Quantity • Clarity • Robustness • Specific: modules, content, duration, time, cost • Guidance: building on prior credit, modules for career development, personalised programmes • Practicalities: cost, travel, childcare, work schedules • Broader context: impact of study on life, absence from classes, confidence building, support mechanisms

  21. unaware aware interest under- standing desire action THE LEARNING CONTINUUM Workshop participants Enquirers Applicants Entrants

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