Evaluation of the Postgraduate Support Scheme Pilot

Widening Access to Postgraduate Study and the Professions was one of 20 HEFCE-funded Postgraduate Support Scheme pilot projects. The University of Sheffield led a consortium of research intensive universities (Leeds, Manchester, Newcastle, Warwick and York), which investigated and piloted a range of innovative ways of attracting under-represented groups into postgraduate taught study. The project comprised scholarships; information, advice and guidance; academic innovation and a programme of research to better understand barriers to postgraduate progression. CFE were commissioned to carry out a two-phase evaluation of the pilot. As part of this we carried out secondary data analysis of postgraduate recruitment, a survey of successful and unsuccessful scholarship applicants and qualitative interviews with staff and stakeholders.

Key project contact

Rachel Moreton

Rachel has over a decade’s experience in the public and voluntary sectors. She works on a range of research and evaluation projects, many of them aiming to improve the wellbeing of people who are disadvantaged or socially excluded. Rachel leads our nine-year evaluation of the National Lottery Community Fund’s Fulfilling Lives programme, which supports people affected by homelessness, offending, mental ill-health and substance misuse. She also regularly designs and delivers workshops and webinars on evaluation.

Contact: rachel.moreton@cfe.org.uk