Student Transitions 2014

The Scottish higher education sector’s Enhancement Theme for 2014–17 is Student Transitions, which will focus on transitions into, out of and during university. It is envisaged that the Theme will support institutions’ ongoing work in addressing the drive to build a flexible and responsive higher education experience which is accessible to all – through managed transitions and articulations between schools, FE, HE and employment.

The work will be managed by the Quality Assurance Agency (QAA) Scotland along with the Theme Leaders’ Group (TLG), which will comprise members from each higher education institution plus student members.

Edinburgh Napier’s representative on this Group is Julia Fotheringham, Senior Lecturer in the Academic Strategy& Practice team. She will be working in consultation with Prof Mark Huxham (Director of Academic Strategy) and Prof Alastair Sambell (Vice Principal and Deputy Vice Chancellor).

The Theme also has a national Student Network which includes all student institutional team members from across the sector and is funded to carry out its own work.

The Theme is expected to involve schools, colleges, employers and other stakeholders across Scotland and internationally. Each institution is expected to take forward its own unique response to the Theme; Edinburgh Napier’s programme of work for 2015 is available to view here. Alongside institutions’ work, two sector-wide 'tracks of work' will be established. These will be led by members of the institutional Theme Leaders’ Group and will have funding to commission work and host events. The two tracks of work will focus on: (1) transitions at the start of a programme of study and (2) transitions during and at the end of a programme of study.

The QAA hopes that the Theme will develop a number of outcomes for the sector, including: