Contact ed.foster@ntu.ac.uk, ckeenan@bournemouth.ac.uk, r.currant@bradford.ac.uk

The HERE! Project

ResearchThe HERE Project has two strands:

1. Student DoubtersAre Doubters more likely to leave than non-doubters? What can we learn from doubters who remain?

2. Programmes with Better than Peer Rates of RetentionWhat can we learn from programmes with better rates of retention than their peers?

Work conducted• 5 surveys to first year students (1,932 student respondents)• 5 focus groups to test doubters’ experiences (13 interviewees)• 6 leavers interviewed• 2 programmes surveyed

Key FindingsNon-doubters more likely to persist98.3% of non-doubters persisted and were still in HE in the next academic year95.7% of doubters persisted(based on 370 students who provided permission to track progress)

Reasons to Doubt and Reasons to Stay are NOT simply oppositesReasons to doubt = course related, then problems with lifestyleReasons to stay = support from friends & family (primarily made at university) & future goals

Quantitative differences between non-doubters, doubters & leaversBefore they withdrew, leavers appeared to be having a measurably poorer experienceFor example leavers reported lower levels of enjoyment and confidence that they could cope

“The people I live withand the friends I have made are so lovelyI worried I'd never see them again.”Student doubter explaining what has helped them stay at University (March 2009)