UCOL Committed to Improving Ratings

UCOL Committed to Improving Ratings

UCOL Chief Executive Paul McElroy says as a regional polytechnic, UCOL is committed to making improvements that will improve its educational performance levels in ratings released by the Tertiary Education Commission. The ratings are based on four main areas – course (paper) completions, qualification completions, student progression, and student retention.

“UCOL is always making improvements that help students succeed in their studies. Each year we measure our progress and include results in our Annual Report. The TEC ratings are worked out using a different formula, but the intent is the same - that is, publicly available information about how UCOL and our students are doing each year.

“Most importantly, it is our job to meet the tertiary learning needs of the people in our Region. Every year UCOL produces hundreds of skilled graduates who work and live here. A survey of UCOL students graduating in May 2010 showed 66% had found employment since completing their qualification, which is slightly down on 2009 figures of 73% but not surprising given the recession. A further 14% were engaged in further study: with 80% of grads working or in further study. They all have individual stories to tell about their experiences, hardships, successes and learning outcomes. Each student can get a personalised education plan, one-on-one study support, and enjoy facilities that support their learning. The people in our Region can take heart that they have good tertiary education options available to them locally, and that students are doing well.

The TEC figures show 53% of UCOL students retained, or a ranking of 3rd amongst polytechnics. Thirty two percent of students at UCOL go on to study at higher levels after completing a qualification at levels
1-4, a ranking of 7th in the Polytechnic sector. “These are important indicators of the quality of a tertiary education institution, particularly a regional-based polytechnic like UCOL. They reflect our student-centric focus and changes we have made to improve the quality of our student support services. UCOL students are doing well.”

Deputy Chief Executive Academic Bonnie Dewart said these two statistics are an indication that once people start studying at certificate level at UCOL, they are confident to go on to further study. “Our student support services put a lot of energy into supporting students. At the start of each year we survey our students to get their first impressions of UCOL during enrolment, their programmes of study and the UCOL environment and services in general. In 2010 student ratings across campuses for teaching staff and programme organisation ranged from Very Satisfied (11%), Satisfied (67%), and Moderately Satisfied (17%) to OK (5%). Students were Very Satisfied (17%) and Satisfied (61%), with UCOL’s facilities and support services.

However, course completion rates at UCOL are lower than sector average. “UCOL’s course completion rate of 56% is an average across all levels of study” said Ms Dewart. “When we look into this further, we find at certificate levels 1-4 the successful course completions are 42%. When you get to degree level it leaps to 85%. At degree level we do much better because the students tend to have a higher level of education before they start. Our Bachelor of Applied Medical Imaging has a 97% success rate. Bachelor of Fine Arts has a 96% success rate; the Bachelor of Computer Graphic Design has a 95% rate, with Computer Graphic Design Honours at 92%. Our Bachelor of Nursing has a 87% success rate and the Bachelor of Fashion 84%.

UCOL has a higher number of people than a lot of other polytechnics on programmes at level 1 to 4 (58%), partly due to an open access approach to enrolments and because studying at these levels suits a lot of people in the Region. “At this level of study people tend to take longer to complete their studies and this affects the overall course completion rate for UCOL. However, most do get there, aided by our quality teaching and support services” says Bonnie.

“In 2011 we are introducing an admissions process that aims to make sure students are studying at a level they are prepared for. This admissions process is about finding the right point of entry to meet individual needs and requirements. This should help improve course completion rates next year.”

UCOL’s successful qualification completions rate is 45%, a ranking of 12th out of 20 polytechnics. “As with course completions, this percentage increases at degree level”.

In overall comments in response to the TEC figures, Mr McElroy said “UCOL will keep doing what it does best, and that includes making changes and improvements to what we do. Initiatives include reviewing papers and qualifications, offering new and improved student support services, further staff training and putting extra resources into improving Literacy and Numeracy, including amongst Maori students. We are making changes to our enrolment processes to ensure students are equipped for the programme they embark on. We are also trialing a system that will remove students from rolls when they have not started or sustained their studies.” He says UCOL supports the Government’s intention to keep improving the performance of tertiary institutions. “We aim to meet government’s goals and exceed them, where possible.”

UCOL also stands behind the quality of its academic services, award winning student support services and student-centric focus. “Our award winning lecturers include the 2010 winner of the Prime Minister’s Supreme Award for Teaching Excellence, senior lecturer in Printmaking, Marty Vreede. You can’t get better than that.”

Bonnie Dewart says in UCOL’s rural regions there is also a high demand for online learning and part-time study. “Studying part time or online suits a lot of people. These people are often interested in acquiring specific skills and knowledge rather than gaining a qualification. Research shows online and part time study produce lower completion rates”.

ENDS