Skills for Success: A student-centred and student led curriculum

The East Midlands, where the University of Lincoln is based, has the lowest social mobility scores in England for young people from disadvantaged backgrounds. This leads to a student cohort who are highly likely to have experienced barriers to success in education.

Most if not all foundation years include a study skills or academic skills module. This chapter describes such a module which is grounded in students’ identities and responsive to student feedback. to not only provide students with the academic knowledge and skills required to succeed in their degree course, but to also develop personal and reflective skills that will equip them to thrive at university.

Some students join a foundation year because they have had a mental or physical health problem, or a bereavement, that has stopped them from attaining at their best in prior qualifications. The chapter describes how robust, tailored tutoring is key to offering the support they need. For example, the addition of optional individual tutorials to encourage more reticent students to make contact with their personal tutors. This aims to reduce the effects of imposter syndrome, which is a common experience for foundation year students.

The ‘Skills for Success’ module developed in conjunction with students, includes sessions ranging from advice on improving sleep, to effective note taking, time management and digital skills. Almost invariably alumni say how useful this module is, several telling foundation year staff how they have helped their direct-entry peers with skills such as accessing research papers and referencing.