Ipsos | Formative Evaluation of Uni Connect Phase Three
Executive Summary
The formative evaluation explores programme delivery : what has worked well , less well and why , as well as enablers of and barriers to effective practice . This document summarises the key findings from the formative evaluation , which was carried out between May and December 2022 .
Context and Background The Uni Connect programme was established in January 2017 to support the government ’ s social mobility goals to increase the number of young people from underrepresented groups going into higher education . It is led by the OfS and delivered through 29 partnerships of universities , colleges , local authorities , local enterprise partnerships , employers and other local partners across England .
The first phase of Uni Connect focused on delivering targeted outreach to learners in specific wards where participation in higher education was lower than might be expected given the levels of GCSE attainment of young people in those areas . The second phase incorporated new requirements on partnerships to develop strategic collaborative interventions with local partners to deliver outreach to other underrepresented groups in higher education . 1
Phase three of Uni Connect began in academic year 2021-22 and will run to the end of academic year 2024-25 . The objectives of phase three represent a shift in focus away from direct delivery of targeted outreach towards more collaborative strategic interventions , including new responsibilities for partnerships to develop an attainment raising offer for schools to be delivered from academic year 2023-24 .
Programme Aims and Objectives The initial aims of phase three of Uni Connect ( covering academic year 2021-22 ) were to :
▪ Contribute to reducing the gap in higher education participation between the most and least represented groups .
▪ Equip learners from underrepresented groups to make informed choices about their options in relation to the full range of routes into and through higher education and to minimise the barriers they may face when choosing the option that will unlock their potential .
▪ Support a strategic local infrastructure of universities , colleges and other partners that can cut through competitive barriers , offer an efficient and low-burden route for schools and colleges to engage , and address outreach ‘ cold spots ’ for underrepresented groups .
▪ Contribute to a stronger evidence base around ‘ what works ’ in higher education outreach and strengthen evaluation practice across the sector . 2
In February 2022 , the OfS announced new strategic priorities for access and participation over the next four years . This included expanding school – university partnership activity to include a strategic commitment to raising attainment for underrepresented students , increasing the capacity of such young
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1
As defined by the Office for Students in its Access and Participation Glossary : Access and Participation Glossary - Office for Students
2
Office for Students ( OfS ) – Uni Connect Phase Three 2022-23 : Operating Plan Guidance , May 2022 .
22-025200-01 | Version 1 | Public | This work was carried out in accordance with the requirements of the international quality standard for Market Research , ISO 20252 , and with the Ipsos Terms and Conditions which can be found at https :// ipsos . uk / terms . © Office for Students 2023