Skills for Success? Supporting transition into higher education for students from diverse backgrounds

Effective support during transition into higher education (HE) can be crucial, especially for traditionally under-represented student groups. Student feedback that the traditional 'welcome week' can be overwhelming due to the quantity and speed of information imparted, coupled with the request for increased support for non-academic skills, led to the development of the 'Skills for Success' (SfS) extended transition support unit. Co-devised with the student body and delivered by a range of academic, clinical and professional support staff, SfS was highly regarded by students, with particular impact reported on mental health and motivation to achieve. Following the introduction of SfS, attainment differences were closed or reversed, in the academic module within which the unit was embedded, for students who were mature, reported a mental health condition, or were from Black, Asian or minority ethnic (BAME) backgrounds. Independent evaluation revealed the initiative had raised awareness of how to access support services and almost half the participants had shared aspects of the learning with peers outside of the cohort. Overall, the success of SfS suggests that an extended package of integrated, holistic support can ease transition into HE and may improve the attainment of students from under-represented groups.