Social Sciences


Transforming Transitions

1 March 2017 - 30 September 2019

PI/s in Exeter: Professor Debra Myhill

CI/s in Exeter: Pallavi Banerjee

Research partners: Richard Winsley, Martin Jones (Sport & Health Sciences, Exeter); Alison Truelove, Marwa Tourky and Graham Perkins (Business School, Exeter)

Funding awarded: £170155 (total funding of £50000)

Sponsor(s): HEFCE

Project webpage(s)

Transforming Transitions

About the research

The "Transforming Transitions” project, led by Professor Debra Myhill, with Dr Pallavi Banerjee, received £500,000 funding from the Higher Education Funding Council for England (HEFCE).

The project examined the barriers experienced by students with BTEC qualifications as they apply for, and then enter, higher education. The crucial project aims to understand the nature of the gap between the number of students taking solely BTEC qualifications and those moving into Higher Education with ‘traditional’ qualifications, but also to understand student and tutor perspectives on the causes of this gap. The project aimed to identify ways in which to smooth and aid student transition into university.

The project was conducted over the two years (2017-2019) in partnership with the University of Birmingham, Loughborough University and Queen Mary, University of London. It also involved Exeter College, Leicester College, Hereford Sixth Form College, City and Islington College.