SPUR Project

2011 winner (3 of 20)

Mind the Gaps: Does a generic first year Study Skills module really help students during their degree?

Supervisors: Mrs Serena Simmons, Dr Nic Lightfoot (Language and International Studies)

Student: Sanval Mumtaz

The role of the generic study skills module as a part of a first year university degree is a role under constant scrutiny and evaluation. Not all degrees have a study skills module as part of their degree structure and those that have it claim to see a ‘difference’ in their students’ ability to reflect, read, learn and hence ‘get better marks’ in their work, resulting in a higher degree classification on completion. The Joint Honours Programme in The School of Education at Trent University is one programme that includes such a module ‘Professional Studies’ as a structured part of course. The project which follows on from previous research of the study skills module, explored the most effective ways to bridge the gap between FE and HE through a structured evaluation of the current Professional Studies Module, with extensive evidence taken from students in year one as well as follow up data collected as a point of clarity from years two and three. The student undertook a literature review, devised and administered a questionnaire and assisted with data analysis and reporting.