How unlocking data maximises student support and success

Higher education institutions face challenges in effectively supporting students, particularly those who are harder to reach or tend not to engage. To meet these, at the University of Roehampton, we enhanced our support systems by developing our innovative 4P approach and creating data-driven dashboards that provide real-time insights into student needs. By understanding the data, we can build highly effective, measurable interventions that make a tangible difference.

Our 4P approach focuses on four key elements:

• Predictive: using data to identify students who may need early intervention
• Preventative: creating opportunities to help students navigate the challenges of their academic paths
• Proactive: using data analytics to support students before they arrive and address risks before they escalate
• Personalised: tailoring support to meet the unique needs of each student.

Predictive

Our integrated engagement dashboard leverages student data from the point of entry to pinpoint those at risk across various categories, such as first-generation and care-experienced students, and those from lower socio-economic backgrounds. Our student life specialists reach out to every student pre-arrival, assessing their needs and inviting them to tailored induction programmes. These programmes focus on developing essential study skills and early career planning to set the stage for academic success. These include workshops on academic writing, critical thinking, navigating Moodle, using learning resources and mapping out career pathways.

Preventative

Through an extended academic induction, students strengthen their academic skills while being guided to vital resources. Our well-being team has trained more than 1,000 students and staff as mental-health first aiders and more than 5,000 students have participated in mental-health awareness, bystander intervention and suicide prevention programmes. Notably, 76.4 per cent of students we surveyed reported that well-being support was crucial to their continuation and 68 per cent who received counselling continued their studies after being at risk of dropping out. These predictive interventions help students stay on course for academic success.

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Proactive

Our disabilities team proactively supports incoming students, leading to 1,319 disabled students achieving, on average, 5 per cent higher final degree results than their non-disabled peers. Targeted campaigns have reduced non-submissions by 42 per cent, achieved by contacting each student who missed a submission and offering tailored support options. This ranged from information about the mitigating circumstances process to in-person academic support sessions. 

In the classroom, our support for students with English as a second language helps them develop critical skills. We have a module embedded into courses with a high number of overseas students that focuses on English language use in academic and post-study contexts. 

Personalised

When students enrol, they complete brief surveys on their career readiness and study needs. The questions address confidence in academic learning and career preparedness, concerns about assessment modes, obstacles to future career goals, and preferred employment sectors. This allows us to gain insights into their confidence levels and areas where they may need extra support, including work experience and skills development. We use this information to create bespoke programmes to set students up for success.

Our 4P approach ensures that every student gets the support they need to not only survive but thrive in their academic journey and beyond.

Aleata Alstad-Calkins is the director of student support and success at the University of Roehampton.

The University of Roehampton was shortlisted for Outstanding Support for Students at the Times Higher Education Awards 2024 #THEAwards. A full list of shortlisted candidates can be found here. 

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