Session 54: First Year Experience Survey: understanding the experiences of various student groups when joining LJMU

Abstract

A successful transition into Higher Education plays a critical part in supporting students to thrive and progress within university. However, within the current climate, students from disadvantaged backgrounds are at an even greater risk of leaving Higher Education than in previous years. Consequently, understanding the nuances around how students from various backgrounds feel during their transition to LJMU could be pivotal in understanding the potential impacts on continuation rates and achievement.

LJMU designed the First Year Experience Survey (FYES) for the purpose of gaining more insight into the student cohort makeup, their experience of transition to university and their first months studying on the programme. The FYES is an institutional survey sent to all foundation and first year students during their second semester of study. First introduced in the academic year 2021/2022, we now have three years’ worth of data providing a wealth of information.

In this presentation, we will explore this rich data beyond what is covered in the annual institutional reports. We will aim to increase our understanding of the experiences of students from across a wide variety of demographic backgrounds when joining LJMU and the potential risks to continuation and achievement. The conclusion of the presentation will explore what we can do at LJMU to provide better and more targeted support, and to ultimately create an equally safe and welcoming community for all of our students.

First Year Experience Survey: understanding the experiences of various student groups when joining LJMU PowerPoint.  Only LJMU staff and students have access to this resource.