This collaborative cluster is led by the City of Glasgow College, with Glasgow Caledonian University and Edinburgh Napier University as joint partners. Since the 2014-17 Enhancement Theme, a focus on activities to support student transition has continued across colleges and universities. In this one year project, drawing on the previous Theme and subsequent work, the cluster explores whether the expressed difference between the student experience of college and university learning and teaching is accurate and, if so, what changes can be made across the sector to support student success, student preparedness, confidence and attainment.

The project considers the perceptions and experiences of learning, teaching and assessment of college lecturers, university lecturers, student support staff, current college students and students who have transitioned from college to university to identify areas of crossover and disconnect between the two sectors and how transitioning students might negotiate and manage these. 

Student interns will run a series of focus groups to explore staff and student perceptions and report their research in July. In addition, we plan to develop staff and student development resources such as toolkits, podcasts, and videos for colleges and universities.

As colleges and universities seek greater alignment in a tertiary sector landscape, focusing on the transition between college and university is essential.