Research to support the evaluation of the Diamond Reforms

INFORMATION SHEET FOR PARTICIPATING LEARNERS

Please see the privacy notice for information about how we will use your information safely.

1.    Who is doing the research?

The Welsh Government has asked OB3 Research (OB3) and Miller Research to do a research project to support the evaluation of the Diamond Reforms to Higher Education Wales. OB3 and Miller Research are both independent research, evaluation and consultancy firms.

2.    Why is the research being conducted?

The aim of the research is to gather evidence about widening access to higher education, strengthening part-time provision and strengthening postgraduate provision.  

The research is also expected to provide recommendations for the future development of student finance in Wales.

3.    Why have you been asked to take part?

OB3 and Miller Research want to talk to Year 13 learners who are in school, sixth form or a college about their views on going to university or not. OB3 want to talk to learners who have decided to go to university, have decided not to, or are still unsure about their plans for university. We want to know your views about higher education and the value and the costs of studying at university.

4.    What will taking part involve?

After completing a survey of Year 13 learners, you told us that you would be prepared to take part in a discussion group with other Year 13 learners. The aim of the discussion group is to understand more about the reasons why young people decide to go, or not go, to university. You will be invited to take part in an online discussion held via Microsoft Teams between July and October 2025. The focus group will take up to an hour. Learners will be able to participate in Welsh or English, according to their preference. 

5.    Will you be paid for taking part?

We do offer a £20 gift voucher to learners who participate in our focus groups.

6.    Do you have to take part?

No, participation in this research project is completely voluntary. Learners can decide not to take part at any time and no reason needs to be given. Participants can say no to answering any questions during the focus group.

7.    What are the possible benefits of taking part?

We hope that the research will support the Welsh Government to develop their policies around student finance.

8.    What are the possible risks of taking part?

Focus group discussions will be held in confidence and nothing that you tell us will be shared with anybody outside of the research team, unless there is a risk of harm to you or someone else. Focus group participants will be asked not to repeat anything that is disclosed by other focus group participants.

We will report the findings of the research anonymously so no one will be able to identify you from the report.

9.    What will happen to my personal information and the recording of the discussion?

Please see the Privacy Notice that accompanies this information sheet, which describes how we securely handle any personal information.

10. What will happen to the results of the research project?

The information collected during the project will be included in a report published on the Welsh Government website and possibly in other publications by OB3 and Welsh Government. These reports will not include any information that could be used to identify individual participants.

11. What if I have a question?

The contact for this research at OB3 is Nia Bryer.

E-mail address: nia.bryer@ob3research.co.uk

Thank you for considering taking part in this research project.