Cardiff University

Further Information for the National Assembly’s Enterprise and Learning Committee Inquiry into the Economic Contribution of Higher Education

1. Information on the ‘Step-Up to University Scheme’

Introduction

The Scheme has developed in Cardiff University from the ‘Step-Up to Health’ scheme operated by the former University of College of Medicine. The scheme is of three years duration, from secondary school years 11 to 13 – a period of time which enables a relationship to be built between the pupils and the University.

The Scheme is offered, within the constraints of capacity, to secondary school pupils in schools within Communities First and other disadvantaged neighbourhoods. Not all schools invited to participate choose to engage.

Target groups are based primarily on the Welsh Assembly Government’s Reaching Wider Initiative: those from Communities First areas; those with disabilities; those from black and other ethnic minority groups; those studying through the medium of the . Those from other disadvantaged backgrounds, such as those in care, are also encouraged to participate in the Scheme.

The objectives of the Scheme (which reflect those of the University’s Widening Access and Retention Strategy) are to raise aspirations, to raise attainment and to support secondary school students from groups traditionally under-represented in higher education to continue their studies post-16 and on into higher education. Support mechanisms are in place within the University to help enrolled students from non-traditional backgrounds to complete their studies successfully and to realize their career aims.

The Scheme is funded through Cardiff University’s allocation of Widening Access related funds, and for Year 11 activities, partially funded through the First Campus (Reaching Wider) Partnership.

Scope of the Scheme within Cardiff University

The Step-Up scheme covers 8 broad subject areas: Geography, Health, Humanities, Law, Modern European Languages, Music, Science & Mathematics, and Welsh and currently involves 23 of the University’s 26 academic schools:

Geography City and Regional Planning Earth, Ocean and Planetary Sciences

Health Dentistry (Dentistry & Dental Hygiene/Therapy) Healthcare Studies (Occupational Therapy, Physiotherapy, Operating Department Practice, Radiography) Medicine Nursing and Midwifery Optometry Pharmacy

Humanities English, Communication and Philosophy History Journalism Religious & Theological Studies Social Sciences

Law Law (summer school in partnership with )

Modern European Languages European Studies (French, German, Italian and Spanish)

Music Music

Science & Mathematics Biosciences; Chemistry; Computer Science; Engineering; Mathematics; Physics & Astronomy

Welsh Welsh

Participation in the Scheme

The Scheme is mainly targeted at schools in South Wales but its remit extends to Mid- and North-Wales in relation to the Health programme - to provide support for young people living in the rural areas who may not have the opportunities to gain an insight into careers within the health professions. The Health Scheme is offered bilingually to these school pupils. Health Roadshows are provided in Mid- and North-Wales where Year 11 pupils have the opportunity to rotate through workshops learning about a variety of health professions. The Widening Access Team works closely with the Institute for Rural Health in Wales in the provision of activities for pupils living in rural areas.

Secondary Schools

Secondary schools (25) in South-East Wales which are currently participating in the 3-year scheme are as follows:

Afon Taf Merthyr Mary Immaculate Cardiff Bettws Newport Mountain Ash Mountain Ash Bryn Hafren Barry Pen-y-Dre Merthyr Brynmawr Brynmawr Porth Porth Cardinal Pontypridd Rhymney Tredegar Newman Cathays Cardiff Rumney Cardiff Cyfarthfa Merthyr St. Illtyd’s Cardiff Duffryn Newport Tonypandy Tonypandy Com.Col. Ebbw Vale Ebbw Vale Tonyrefail Tonyrefail Fitzalan Cardiff Tredegar Tredegar Glyn Derw Cardiff Treorchy Treorchy Glyncoed Ebbw Vale Trevethin Pontypool Lewis Girls Ystrad Mynach

Secondary schools (21) in Mid and North-Wales which are currently participating in the 3-year scheme for health subjects are as follows:

Brecon High School Ysgol Gyfun Aberaeron Builth Wells High School Ysgol Gyfun Llangefni, Ynys Mon Caereinion High Ysgol Gyfun Penweddig, School,Welshpool Cardigan Secondary School Ysgol Syr , Holyhead High School Ysgol Syr Thomas Jones, Ynys Mon Llandrindod High School Ysgol Tryfan, Bangor High School, Ysgol Uwchradd Aberteifi, Cardigan Newtown High School Ysgol Uwchradd Llanidloes Penglais Ysgol Uwchradd Tregaron Comprehensive,Aberystwyth Ysgol y Creuddyn, Llandudno ,

Approximately 400 Year 11 pupils are admitted onto the Scheme each year.

Step-Up Scheme Activities

A variety of activities are provided within the schemes including ‘Welcome’ events for pupils and parents; student shadowing; University taster days; residential summer schools (Health and Law); a variety of events in hospital settings; seminars held at secondary schools; GCSE revision days in Mathematics and Modern European Languages; Humanities residential summer school based on English Language skills; Seminars and workshops on Music composition, Taster events and skills sessions on the scope of Geography – opportunity to go aboard the University’s research vessel ‘Guiding Light’; LanguageZone On-line newsletters and also e-mentoring provided in 5 European languages including Welsh and also English as a second language; ‘Applying to University’ Day.

Contact with students of Cardiff University is an important part of the Scheme. Health scheme participants take part in an e-mentoring programme funded by the Brightside Trust – mentoring being provided by Cardiff University students. Language students also provide e-mentoring. 208 Cardiff University students provide mentor support and 100 Student Ambassadors also participate in events and activities to provide support and share their experiences with the school students.

Certain of the activities offered within the Scheme are open to young people in Wales who are not participating in the scheme:

‘MedWales Symposium’ – a free Saturday event which provides young people in Year 12 living in Wales with a practical interactive introduction to clinical skills as well as lectures on medical training and practice.

The ‘LanguageZone’ website, where a fortnightly magazine is provided in the languages of: French, Spanish, German, Italian and Welsh, plus English for second-language English learners.

Medical Roadshow – an interactive clinical skills demonstration provided by 4th year medical students to Year 11 pupils in schools in low-participation neighbourhoods in South Wales which are not currently participating in the Step-Up scheme.

‘Science in Health Live’ – is another activity (part of National Science Week) which is open to Step-Up pupils and also to all Year 12 pupils in Wales. This event provides an introduction to a variety of laboratory sciences and research work as well as health professions.

Progression

Pupils who enrol on the Scheme in Year 11 are able to attend activities for a variety of subject areas. At the start of Year 12, however, they are required to register their intention to remain on the Scheme and to identify the subject of their choice. They are then invited to activities related to that subject area. Participants may, however, change their choice of subject part-way through Year 12 should their career aspirations change during the year.

Recognition

The names of those participants who complete the three year programme and apply for a place at Cardiff University are passed to the relevant Admissions Tutors so that they will be aware of the interest and commitment made by the students to Cardiff University.

Those participants who are within the academic range required and have completed the Health scheme activities are guaranteed an interview on applying to Cardiff University. The cost of sitting the UKCAT entrance test for medical and dental applications is currently reimbursed to these participants by Cardiff University.

Monitoring

The 3-year scheme from 2004 – 2007:

• 345 Year 11 pupils started the Scheme • 286 pupils remained on the Scheme to the end in 2007 = 83% • Of the 286 pupils, 106 (37%) applied to Cardiff University; • Of the 106 pupils, 61 (58%) were offered places • Of the 61 pupils, 37 firmly accepted Cardiff’s offer, 4 accepted Cardiff as an Insurance choice and 20 firmly accepted offers from other universities • Of the 45 who were unsuccessful, 34 were firmly placed at other universities.

Tracking:

86 (30%) of the 286 pupils responded to phone calls and a postal questionnaire following the publication of examination results.

Out of the 86: 35 41%) were admitted to Cardiff University 35 (41%) were admitted to other Welsh universities 16 (18%) were admitted to English universities

2. Information on Widening Access to mature students and FE links

The e-mentoring programme

The number of mature students entering Cardiff University each year is approximately 550. About 50% of those are entrants into the School of Nursing and Midwifery Studies, which has in place well-established systems to encourage and support mature applicants.

The University’s Centre for Lifelong Learning also provides support, concentrated on the remainder of the University’s mature entrants, particularly those who enter via the ‘Access to HE’ routes. These are courses provided by FE institutions specifically for mature returners to learning, for individuals who have not reached their potential or have not progressed into HE from school.

In 2007-08, the Centre for Lifelong Learning has established a pilot e-mentoring programme in partnership with the FE institutions in South East Wales. This involves not only e-mentoring via e-mail contact, but also a series of visits: informal visits to campus, so that the FE students gain confidence and familiarity with the University and also get to know their mentor; formal information days involving the University’s Academic Schools to increase the FE students’ degree of knowledge regarding course choice and the UCAS application process.

In contrast to the ‘Step-Up to University’ scheme with secondary schools, this initiative involves working intensively with a smaller number of individuals. The pilot scheme which has been running during the current academic session has involved training 20 current Cardiff University mature students as mentors for students undertaking Access courses in FE institutions. These mature student mentors have participated in a range of additional mentoring activities, including the creation of a video and guide for mature students. They have demonstrated a significant commitment and are a valuable resource in spreading the message to other potential mature students.

To date, some 25 FE students have taken up the offer of e-mentoring, a lower number than had been anticipated. Our original plan was for each mentor to work with 3 Access to HE students in FE institutions. Where the mentoring pairs are working well, there is already evidence of benefit to the FE students with offers already being received from HE. The project aims to work with those mentored applicants who receive and accept offers throughout the summer and the outcomes will be monitored and evaluated in September 2008, when actual enrolments of the participants in the scheme will be known.

In the next academic year (2008/09) we plan to work at various levels within FE institutions, realising that the successful development of the e-mentoring project is linked to buy-in from senior FE staff and the relevant Access tutors. Access students, often without much family knowledge of (or support to enter) HE are reliant on FE staff for appropriate guidance. These latter individuals’ knowledge and perception of Cardiff University is therefore critical to the overall success of the scheme.

We will be extending the project to work with a larger number of FE institutions in Wales. A programme of visits to FE institutions, targeting staff as well as potential applicants, will engender greater understanding of the benefits of e-mentoring and of studying at Cardiff University. Mature students studying A levels at FE institutions will also be included in the scheme.

3. Knowledge Transfer Partnerships (KTP)

Cardiff University has been a participant in the Knowledge Transfer Partnership (KTP) scheme (formerly known as the Teaching Company Scheme or TCS) since its inception over thirty years ago. During this period the concept of the scheme has changed little, reflecting the widely-recognised benefits of the scheme for participants. Graduates are placed in a company (or qualifying not-for-profit organisation) that has a strategic need, for between one and three years to work on a project central to the needs of the company. The scheme, part funded by a consortium of public bodies, led by the Technology Strategy Board (and including the Welsh Assembly Government), aims to strengthen the productivity, wealth creation, competitiveness and economic performance of UK businesses through collaborative partnerships with Higher and Further Education Institutions.

At the heart of each Partnership is a relationship between the company and University staff who can apply their expertise to a project central to the company’s strategic development. The benefits for the participants in the KTP scheme can be summarised as follows:

Company: the company can expect a high calibre graduate (usually holding a First Class or Upper Second Class degree), known as a KTP Associate, to be placed in their business. The Associate is an employee of the University but works under the direction of a company director or other senior manager and is also supported by an experienced Academic member of the University. The company is able to access a budget for equipment, training and travel & subsistence for the Associate during the programme. The Associate can access University expertise, along with use of Academic School’s equipment and facilities. The average cost per year to an SME for participating is around £18,000.

Associate: the graduate Associate gains invaluable business-related experience and training, with the possibility of gaining nationally recognised management qualifications.

University: the University increases the business relevance of its research and the Academic staff involved remain aware of the technical demands facing industry today. The scheme is one of the many ways whereby the University is able to consolidate its long-term working relationships with its industrial partners.

The KTP scheme is strategically significant to the University in respect of both its Research and its Innovation and Engagement Missions. The number of concurrent KTP awards is maintained at around 10-12, generating income of approximately £350,000 p.a. to the University. It is noted that the number of concurrent programmes in Wales has fallen in the last 18 months (indicating a decline in the number of new awards). It is anticipated , however, that numbers will increase following the announcement of additional funding for the scheme and recent assurances from Momenta, the agents of AEA Technology who manage the KTP scheme on a day-to-day basis on behalf of the Technology Strategy Board.

Wales KTP activity

Year Number of Live KT Partnerships 2002/03 97 2003/04 134 2004/05 169 2005/06 160 2006/07 148

(‘Live Partnerships’ means concurrent schemes. Source: Momenta)

Russell Group Universities’ KTP activity in 2005 and 2007.

Russell Group KTP Activity

20

18

16

14

12

10

8 & KTP Activity & KTP

6

4

2

0

l e f l d L to w ia ge er tle l on am s dg e t ie t ick i l eeds rpool LSE f p UC w Br bri L ef r ngh Cardif inburgh lasgo mper Col ve ingham Oxford d G I Li t Queen's Sh ham Wa rmi am E Newcas C Not ut Bi ing's Manches K So Institution Projects 05 Value 05 Projects 07 Value 07

Russell Group KTP Activity 2005 / 2007

Ranked: No. Partnerships Ranked: Partnership Value

Institution No. Partnerships Institution Value (£)

1 Queen's 43 1 Queen's 3,594,172 2 Sheffield 26 2 Liverpool 2,640,756 3 Liverpool 24 3 Sheffield 2,072,579 4 Leeds 23 4 Leeds 1,992,484 5 Manchester 20 5 UCL 1,557,327 6 Newcastle 17 6 Manchester 1,516,973 7 UCL 16 7 Newcastle 1,277,261 =8 Cardiff 13 8 Cardiff 1,213,625 =8 Nottingham 13 9 Southampton 1,048,300 =10 Edinburgh 11 10 Edinburgh 938,431 =10 Southampton 11 11 Nottingham 791,912 =12 Cambridge 6 12 Bristol 601,456 =12 Bristol 6 13 Warwick 520,446 14 Warwick 5 14 Cambridge 474,363 15 Glasgow 3 15 Imperial 236,842 =16 Birmingham 2 16 Glasgow 236,722 =16 King's College 2 17 King's College 170,785 =16 Oxford 2 18 Oxford 142,244 =16 Imperial 2 19 Birmingham 136,408 20 LSE 0 20 LSE 0 245 21,163,086 (Source: Momenta)

UK Total KTP Activity

Year Number of Partnerships Awarded 2002/03 903 2003/4 852 2004/5 858 2005/6 1,002 2006/7 1,048 (‘Partnerships Awarded’ refers to the number of new awards made in the year. Source: Momenta)

Graham Spittle, Chair of the Technology Strategy Board, has noted that:

“KTP provides a good example of what the Technology Strategy Board (TSB) wants to achieve more broadly across all of its activities – collaboration – not only between business and academia, but also joining up Government Departments, the Devolved Administrations, the Regional Development Agencies and the Research Councils, all working with the TSB on joint activities for the benefit of UK business. KTP is among the world’s leading initiatives using the knowledge and skills of high-calibre graduate Associates and their academic supervisors to inject fresh ideas into business”

As a scheme which has been running for three decades, there is a considerable body of evidence pointing towards the success of KTP in terms of its outputs and impacts. Annual evaluation of the scheme with participating companies across the UK (initially by DTI and most recently by TSB) has demonstrated that for every £1million of Government investment in KTP:

2003/04 2004/05 2005/06 2006/07 Number of jobs created 65 77 112 43 Number of company staff 259 263 214 190 trained One off increase in profit £0.7M £0.75M £1.13M £0.79M before tax Increase in annual profit £3.05M £3.30M £4.24M £2.97M before tax post partnership Investment in plant & £2.05M £1.54M £3.25M £2.52M machinery

Further details of the KTP’s Strategic Plan for the 5-year period to 2011 can be found at: http://www.ktponline.org.uk/content/strategy/KTPStrategicPlan20072011Rev2.pdf

4. Postgraduate Student from Wales

Total Headcount Wales Domiciled % from Wales

Postgraduate 4,286 961 22.4% Taught (PGT)

Postgraduate 1,551 512 33.0% Research (PGR)

Total (PGT+PGR) 5,837 1,473 25.2%

(Source: HESA extract – unverified – February 2008)