Student Recruitment, Development and Support
Issues: Enhancing the student experience
We recognise that the UK Higher Education market is changing with increased competition amongst HEI providers and a more diverse student profile. Changes to the student profile, reflected in the Government's desire to widen access, necessitate changes to traditional modes of operation (from course provision to entry requirements, welfare support, and the delivery of teaching and learning).
There is an increased focus amongst prospective students, employers and Government for higher education to be relevant to the job market and this increases the need for HEIs to balance relevant, practical experience with learning and teaching informed by research and scholarship as well as work related learning opportunities. LJMU is well
placed to meet this need as it is rooted in a long tradition of vocational education, coupled with a strong reputation for enterprise, research and scholarship.
We believe that this job-market focus can be taken further and, for this reason, WoW has been devised as the means by which our students can accumulate broader ‘world of work’ skills; and have these assessed and certified independently from their academic study.We know our students seek a wide range of career opportunities, whether
in private enterprise, public sector, voluntary or social entrepreneurship. WoW is designed to maximise employment opportunity in whatever career path is chosen.
LJMU has long been associated with the ethos of widening participation and outreach in higher education and experience has shown that investment in effective student support is essential to attract and retain students from 'non-traditional' backgrounds. Our access fundraising programme in support of scholarships, bursaries and the hardship fund, together with the LJMU agreement with OFFA clearly demonstrate this continued commitment, and will be reviewed and refreshed in the context of future funding developments.
We recognise that successful recruitment and retention of students is a key constituent of its reputation and that this is dependent upon its understanding of, and its ability to meet, student needs pre- and post-enrolment. To do this, there must be meaningful and continual review of the needs of students, clients and employers in order to refine and refresh: the course portfolio and modes of delivery; the infrastructure, estates, support systems and structures (including professional locally-based administrative services) available to learners during their time at LJMU; and the support available to graduates after completion of their courses.
