JISC

A dynamic JISC-funded website is providing current students with a platform to interact with potential students to give them an accurate and honest forecast of life at university.

The Alternative Guide (TAG) to the University of Central Lancashire (UCLan) ensures students starting university for the first time develop realistic expectations of higher education as well as making sure they understand what the institution will expect from them.

The website includes practical advice for new students on everything from timetables to personal finances and homesickness in the form of case studies, articles and films, as well as a video tour of the university campus and interactive map to help them get around and diagnostic testing to help with course selection.

The resource also allows new students to develop relationships with their peers prior to arrival using integrated social networking tools.

But the platform is not just limited to UCLan - current student responses to the website show the initiative is set to be a huge success so JISC has also funded two further bids to pilot the introduction of TAG in other universities.

Lawrie Phipps, programme manager at JISC, said: “A lot of students are accessing and using TAG already which is why JISC is looking at how we can make sure that we get the most out of this excellent resource.  Staff from other universities continue to visit the project team at UCLan and are coming away really impressed. Many have expressed a strong interest in embedding TAG at their own institutions and we look forward to working with them in the future.”

With the potential to benefit new students across the UK, it is hoped the project will act as a key support mechanism in UK universities particularly for international students and students from ethnically diverse backgrounds in their transition into higher education through social networking, mobile technology and the website.

Lucy Warman, TAG project manager, said: “The move into higher education can be a difficult time for new students, for many it’s because they are not sure of what to expect.  TAG will enable students to gain a flying start to university life; they will gain a clear picture of what to anticipate from the university in addition to what the University expects from them. It’s a two way process that will really improve the overall student experience and which is set to be rolled out nationally.”   

Visit the Alternative Guide website