OB3 Research has been appointed by HEFCW to conduct a qualitative review of part-time provision at Higher Education providers in Wales.
The aim of the review is to ‘identify and review the current state of all modes of part-time provision, including how they are funded within higher education in Wales’. It is expected that the review will inform recommendations put forward to HEFCW’s Council regarding how part-time provision should be funded in the future.
The specific objectives for the review can be summarised as follows:
Review part-time provision in Wales, identifying economic and social benefits
Identify and report on challenges affecting the development and expansion of part-time HE provision
Determine whether, and to what extent, part-time provision has successfully responded to regional and local higher education vocational and economic needs
Determine what impact HEFCW’s approach to the funding of part-time HE provision has had on the development of this provision
Consider how students undertaking part-time provision in higher education benefit from the availability of this provision
Review evidence that could justify a more radical solution to incentivise engagement with part-time provision
Consider HEFCW quantitative analysis with regards to differential engagement of students with protected characteristics or other under-represented groups engaging with part-time provision as opposed to full-time provision
Review whether the development of part-time higher education provision has promoted widening access to higher education or has resulted in increased up-skilling
Consider how HEFCW can incentivise growth in this area, whilst recognising reasons for disincentives
Consider any barriers to whether part-time higher education provision meets the needs of individuals in terms of delivery, knowledge and progression
Offer recommendations to HEFCW for possible approaches to the funding of part-time provision in the future
Identify any gaps in part-time HE knowledge and consider how these could be addressed
It is expected that the research will be undertaken between November 2019 and February 2020.