Regional Collaborative Development of a Degree Preparation Programme

Authors

Elizabeth M. Chinlund, Alistair Shaw, James McKay, Peter Appleby, Karen Davis, Mary Manderson and Gail Kirkland – Weltec, Whitireia New Zealand, Victoria University of Wellington

December 2011

Executive Summary

Ako Aotearoa, through its National Project Fund, has supported a joint initiative between Weltec, Whitireia New Zealand, and Victoria University of Wellington to develop a new degree preparation programme to address the reduction of Level 4 bridging programmes in the Wellington region.

The purpose of the project was driven by the current tertiary education policy settings that have prompted many providers of bridging education to reduce or streamline the programmes they offer.

Key drivers for the project included:

• Developing a shared regional approach to pathways into degree study, including articulation agreements between providers.
• Developing a new unified qualification for learners preparing for degree level study, that prepares them for study in different contexts at different providers.

The project has resulted in the collaborative development of a new Certificate of Degree Preparation. The certificate takes a cohesive, student-focussed approach that values preparing learners for the most relevant pathway, and promotes the best possible educational outcome.

The lessons learned and conclusions drawn from this work will also be used by the project team to provide input into the Targeted Review of Qualifications, when that review examines bridging qualifications.

Background

Research has shown that there is a need for pathways for students for whom secondary school may not be a sufficient indicator of their potential for tertiary study, such as those from lower decile schools, or Māori and Pasifika students. In New Zealand, many students have accessed tertiary study through enabling preparatory programmes. Their achievement on these programmes is correlated with achievement on degrees. International studies have also revealed that many students, who access education through alternative pathways, if well prepared, do as well as those from traditional routes.

A review of both existing literature and survey feedback from past bridging students has identified a range of factors that need to be addressed within any degree preparation programme. These factors include:

• a student’s engagement, as well as psychological and social readiness
• the specifics of course content, and
• the pedagogical approach taken in the programme.

The specific dimensions of readiness to be included in the new Certificate’s courses are:

• cognitive strategies
• content knowledge
• self-management, and
• contextual or institutional awareness. 

Further information

For further information about this project, please contact Gail Kirkland at or Mary Manderson.