Previous projects

Alternative Pathways for Apprentices – A New Breed of Engineer

Objective

To develop new progression pathways from AMRC apprenticeship scheme to enable students to achieve technical (Foundation Degree/Higher Apprenticeship) and professional qualifications (Bachelor/Master of Manufacturing Technology), and professional accreditation whilst in employment on a flexible basis.

• Funding: External
• Award letter dated: August 2015
• Final report due: March 2019
• Lead contact (Policy and Projects): Amerjit Basi

Recognising ‘Discovery Learners’: Making HE Pedagogies Responsive to Equivalent Qualifications - including the 'Finding Potential' Report

Objective

Working in partnership with Barnsley College, Sheffield College, Longley Park Sixth Form College, King Ecgbert School, King Edward VII School, Meadowhead School Academy Trust, the Higher Education Progression Partnership (HEPP), and Pearson, to explore student outcomes and success of transition into HE of students studying equivalent (alternative) qualifications to A-levels.

• Funding: External
• Award letter dated: November 2016
• Lead contact (Policy and Projects): Amerjit Basi

Final report: 'Finding Potential: How a selective university can attract and retain high quality students with equivalent qualifications to A levels' can be downloaded here (pdf, 796kb) 

Exploring Student Mobility

Objective

To examine latent demand for students to want to move universities while completing their degrees. The project explores the practical and pedagogical barriers created, with the potential to influence both Government policy and practice in the sector.

The research was conducted in collaboration with seven institutions including: Leeds College of Music; Sheffield Hallam University; The University of Leeds; The University of Nottingham; The University of Sheffield; The University of York; and York St John University.

• Funding: External
• Award letter dated: December 2016
• Final report: November 2017
• Lead Contact (Policy and Projects): Amerjit Basi

Final report: 'Should I stay or should I go? Student demand for credit transfer and recommendations for policy and practice' can be downloaded here (pdf, 3.96MB) 

Raising Awareness, Raising Aspiration (RARA): Targeted Personal Tutoring Support Programme for Narrowing Gaps in Student Achievement and Ambition

Objective

To scale-up proven, transferrable interventions which address the lower academic success and inequity in student experiences of lower Socio-Economic (SEC) background and Black and Minority Ethnic (BME) students.

More details can be found at the RARA homepage.

• Funding: External
• Award letter dated: February 2017
• Final report due: March 2019
• Lead Contact (Policy and Projects): Amerjit Basi

Progression to, and success in, postgraduate study for students from BAME and POLAR 1 and 2 backgrounds

Objective

Targeting undergraduate and postgraduate students from low participation neighbourhoods and Black and Minority Ethnic (BAME) backgrounds to close the gap in student outcomes with a focus on progression to and success in postgraduate study.

• Funding: External
• Award letter dated: February 2017
• Final report due: March 2019
• Lead Contact (Policy and Projects): Amerjit Basi

Empowering students to take an active role in the University community – combatting sexual violence, harassment and hate

Objective

To enhance the University of Sheffield’s existing activities aimed at tackling sexual violence, harassment and hate crime incidents through: embedding an understanding of the bystander initiative; understanding student experiences of sexual violence; and enhancing information and advice available online for reporting incidents of sexual harassment and hate crimes.

• Funding: External
• Award letter dated: March 2017
• Final report due: May 2018
• Lead Contact (Policy and Projects): Amerjit Basi

Widening Access to Postgraduate Study and the Professions

Objective

Sheffield led a consortium of six research intensive universities (Leeds, Manchester, Newcastle, Warwick and York) which piloted a range of innovative ways of attracting under-represented groups into postgraduate taught study. These initiatives were organised under the strands of Finance, Academic innovation, Information, Advice and Guidance, and Understanding the Student.

This project was part of the HEFCE Postgraduate Support Scheme.

Final report: 'Widening Access to Postgraduate Study and the Professions' can be downloaded here (pdf, 4.8MB)