Implementation strategy 5

Description

We will establish a new programme of outreach, mentoring, research skills development and bespoke careers support for under-represented students seeking to progress into postgraduate study or an academic career. This scheme will focus on supporting current undergraduates from under-represented backgrounds at the University of Exeter to make informed decisions about postgraduate study and careers in academia. Activity will include creating specific online information and tools; opportunities to develop research skills and networking activities.

For more details see Progression to Postgraduate Theory of Change.

Rationale

Various studies show how inequalities that exist at undergraduate level continue and in some instances are exacerbated at postgraduate level. Graduates from less privileged backgrounds still appear to be less likely to progress to postgraduate study than their better-off counterparts with minority ethnic students underrepresented in Postgraduate research.  The assumption that the transition to postgraduate study is easy and automatic (simply ‘more of the same’) is not representative of all students’ experience. Research into progression into postgraduate education has focused on the impact of financial concerns and uneven provision of information, advice and guidance about postgraduate opportunities. Similarly a lack of information available about how to apply to or fund postgraduate study may also be a barrier.

Evaluation

Evaluation of this programme will be included in our Annual Impact and Activity Report

Description

One to one support for students from widening participation backgrounds to provide personalised employability advice and careers development. Targeted support for students with disabilities and particularly those with social and communication disabilities will be offered proactively through close working with the Wellbeing and disability societies to improve engagement.

For more details see Careers Consultant Theory of Change.

Rationale

Research has indicated a number of factors affecting graduate outcomes for low income students in comparison with their peers. These include lack of opportunity to gain knowledge of different career paths, access professional networks, gain relevant work experience or take part in extra-curricular activities. This service aims to provide approachable, personalised support and advice, tailored to the needs of the student linked in with other employability support such as paid internships and intensive mentoring through upReach.

Evaluation

An evaluation report will be published through these pages in due course with monitoring of activity included in our Annual Impact and Activity Report

Description

We will review all aspects of our careers provision to ensure it is inclusive and accessible for students with disabilities. Working with students with shared experience, such as the Neurodivergent Working Group, we will continue to enhance support for student with social and communication disabilities such as making careers fairs and other events more accessible through the provision of quiet spaces and structured access and encouraging engagement with opportunities offered by Disability Confident employers.

For more details see the theory of change.

Rationale

Graduates with conditions such as a social communication or autistic spectrum disorder are more likely to be in part-time work or full-time study than non-disabled graduates. It has been reported that 33% of graduates with autism are in full-time employment in the UK, as compared to 71% of graduates without disabilities. In order to support students with a disability. National guidance published by Advance HE on behalf of the Disabled Students Commission reflects that students with disabilities report low awareness of specialist employability support available through universities and also what to expect by way of adjustments from future employers. Recommendations encourage universities to improve outreach and communications and involve the input of disabled students when designing/reviewing services.

Evaluation

Evaluation will be included in our Annual Impact and Activity Report.

 Description

 The University of Exeter has partnered with the social mobility charity upReach since 2012 with the shared aim of enabling any student to achieve their full potential, regardless of social background. All students supported by upReach are from state schools and low-income backgrounds. The most disadvantaged students are prioritised with over 80% from the lowest income households. Our partnership with upReach increases access to career knowledge, professional networks, work experience and extra-curricular activities for students from lower socio-economic backgrounds. We will work with upReach to enhance support for students with social and communication disabilities.

Rationale

Research has indicated a number of factors affecting graduate outcomes for low income students in comparison with their peers. These include lack of opportunity to gain knowledge of different career paths, access professional networks, gain relevant work experience or take part in extra-curricular activities. upReach aims to address these factors by helping undergraduates develop key employability skills, build networks and increase their confidence of success in the graduate labour market. The scheme is marked out by a high degree of personalisation and a strong network of partner employers.

Evaluation

Evaluation conducted by upReach indicates that participants are more likely to obtain highly skilled roles and secure a higher salary than a comparator group. More detailed information of impact evaluation can be found on the upReach website.

Description

We will continue to provide paid internships for students to help secure their first step onto the career ladder with the support of a dedicated Careers Consultant. Collaboration between the University and employers to remove barriers for under-represented students is the cornerstone of the scheme to grow future talent and support the demand for skills in the region. The scheme closes the gap between education and industry to enhance the employability of the students, who are from diverse academic areas with varying technical skills and interests. Responding to the recent joint evaluation of this programme with TASO (Transforming Access and Student Outcomes), we will take steps to improve targeted promotion of this scheme to support those groups experiencing the biggest gaps in graduate outcomes.

For more details see the Access to Internships Theory of Change.

Rationale

We provide a number of paid internship opportunities to widening participation students at the University, in order to increase opportunities to accrue valuable work experience and enhance CVs.  There is evidence in the literature to show that work placements and internships can have a positive impact on employability and employment outcomes but that these opportunities may not be accessible for all students. Financial disadvantage is a significant barrier for students from low income backgrounds for example who may feel unable to give up paid work for unpaid internships or volunteering in order to get experience of the kind valued by employers.

Evaluation

The University’s paid internship scheme for under-represented students Access to Internships (A2I) was evaluated in collaboration with Transforming Access and Student Outcomes in Higher Education (TASO).

The evaluation concluded that the scheme positively correlated with good graduate outcomes. Interns were statistically more likely to be in employment or further study at 6 and 15 months and more likely to receive a positive graduate outcome (as measured by the graduate outcomes survey) than a control group. Survey and interview data also showed that A2i internships provided increases in career related knowledge, confidence and skills whilst providing tangible experiences for students to draw from during the recruitment process. This provided evidence for the plausibility of the A2i theory of change.

For more information see the full Efficacy Pilot Evaluation Report University of Exeter Access to Internships Scheme