An investigation into the contribution of personal tutoring to successful outcomes for BME students and students from lower socio economic groups at three universities

When applying please note the project code ECYS3640717

There is no need to submit a research proposal but you are encouraged to submit a sample of your writing that demonstrates your research potential. This could be a research report, a sample of your academic work or a publication.

Two groups of students – British Minority Ethnic (BME) and students from lower socio economic groups - have been at the forefront of governmental concerns about social mobility, but for different reasons. A national ethnicity attainment gap has been identified in that while ‘all ethnic minority groups are now, on average, significantly more likely to go to university than their White British counterparts’ (BIS, 2015, p.10) they are awarded proportionally fewer first class and 2.1 degrees (Broecke and Nicholls, 2007).

At the same time, there are marked differences in entry into higher education, degree outcomes and progression into the professions between students from the lowest and highest socio-economic groups. This study will use a mixed methods approach to investigate the factors that have contributed to the success of students from lower socio economic and different ethnic groups at three universities, a post 92 university and two Russell Group universities. The definition of success will include, but not be limited to, degree classification and will include the perspectives of students and personal tutors. The three universities are partners in a HEFCE - funded catalyst bid Addressing Barriers to Student Success, www.raratutor.ac.uk The research will build on HEFCE-funded research and ongoing work at the three universities. The focus of the study will be on the impact of personal tutoring on supporting a sense of belonging, aspiration and success.

You will be based at the University of Portsmouth and your supervisory team will include Dr Mary McKeever, Portsmouth lead on Addressing Barriers to Student Success Project and Dr Jodi Burkett, co-ordinator of Students in 20th Century Europe http://www.port.ac.uk/centre-for-european-and-international-studies-research/research-projects/students-in-20th-century-europe/ and Citizen, ‘Race’ and Belonging http://www.port.ac.uk/centre-for-european-and-international-studies-research/research-projects/citizenship-race-and-belonging-crab/ research networks. Dr Harriet Dunbar-Morris, Associate Pro Vice-Chancellor Student Experience at the University of Portsmouth, is a member of the Steering Group for the HEFCE project.