Project | Evaluating the ‘Launch transition’ programme

At TASO, we are partnering with the University of Nottingham and independent evaluation agency Verian to evaluate the university’s ‘Launch transition’ programme. This is a two-day on-campus pre-induction programme designed to support students in their transition into higher education. 

New students who were previously eligible for free school meals have been invited to apply for the 100-place programme. Activities on the programme include:

• an introduction to the campus
• the support services available in the university
• academic skills
• financial planning. 

The programme aims to help students feel more confident starting their first year. 

The project aims to strengthen the university’s evaluation practice and measure the impact of the ‘Launch transition’ programme using a randomised controlled trial and implementation and process evaluation.

This partnership project aims to produce a rigorous and detailed analysis that will form part of the institution’s access and participation plan evaluation. 

Background

This is one of three projects that TASO has commissioned to evaluate interventions designed to support students with their transition into higher education. While higher education providers recognise the need to support students during this pivotal transition period, there has been little evaluation of the activities that are offered.