Partner Colleges Learning and Teaching Project (Summary Report)

The Institute of Sport & Exercise Science (ISES) at the University of Worcester (UW) works in partnership with Stourbridge College, Worcester College of Technology and Herefordshire College of Technology (Holme Lacy campus) to provide Higher National Diploma (HND) and degree level sport-related courses. These programmes are valuable to the ISES in relation to widening participation, working with the wider community and progression onto the institute’s degree and Masters programmes. Two of the key strategic aims of the University of Worcester are to provide an outstanding student experience and inclusive higher education: these are demanding remits since courses that are provided in collaboration with partner colleges may face greater challenges, as the student experience involves two distinct institutions in different locations, each with their own facilities, resources and staffing. Students on these courses are taught in dual locations by staff from both institutions, and whilst the diversity of this dual provision is attractive and positive in many respects, it can also provide challenges, for example with respect to facilities, resources and transport.

This project sought to explore how partner college students perceive their overall experience in relation to the following broad themes:
a) facilities and resources;
b) learning and teaching (including assessment);
c) employability;
d) personal development;
e) recommendations for enhancing the student experience.
It was envisaged that the involvement of the three partner colleges