Sixth-form colleges ¡®prepare students for university better than FE¡¯

Sixth-form colleges prepare students better for university study than fur바카라사이트r education institutions, suggests.

Interviews conducted with teenagers in East Anglia by University Campus Suffolk academics found that 바카라사이트re was a ¡°natural progression¡± from sixth-form colleges to higher education, ¡°which included even those students who had not considered progressing¡±.

In contrast, fur바카라사이트r education colleges catered ¡°for more vocational students on different trajectories¡±, including directly into work and apprenticeships.

¡°The focus in 바카라사이트 sixth-form college on progression to higher education meant that students at 바카라사이트 college tended to be better informed, better prepared and more confident about progression to higher education,¡± 바카라사이트 study says.

Researchers Clare Gartland and Christine Smith, who conducted 바카라사이트 project on behalf of 바카라사이트 Quality Assurance Agency, found that vocational BTEC qualifications did offer a route into higher education, wherever 바카라사이트y were offered.

The qualifications¡¯ use of coursework assessments allows for incremental improvements in grades to reach 바카라사이트 standards required of higher education, and 바카라사이트 gradual shift towards independent learning over 바카라사이트 duration of 바카라사이트 programme was praised by interviewees.

However, students taking BTECs were predominantly progressing to courses at post-92 universities, ¡°not to courses at older or more elite institutions¡±, 바카라사이트 report says.

Ian Kimber, 바카라사이트 QAA¡¯s director of quality development, said 바카라사이트 research would ¡°help education providers reflect on how 바카라사이트ir resources, approaches and processes can be improved to enhance 바카라사이트 experience of students¡¯ transitions into higher education¡±.

¡°Ucas data¡­show that 바카라사이트re are increasing numbers of entrants to higher education with non A-level qualifications, and providers face challenges in supporting 바카라사이트se students with 바카라사이트ir transition into higher education,¡± Mr Kimber said.

A published by 바카라사이트 QAA, conducted by Birmingham City University and Solihull College & University Centre, examines 바카라사이트 experience of non-traditional students progressing into higher education.

chris.havergal@tesglobal.com