Uni Connect

Uni Connect is being evaluated at a national level to assess how successfully the programme meets its aims, in addition to local partnership evaluation. 

We'll use evidence from the evaluation to understand:

• whether Uni Connect is working
• how well it's working
• who it's working for.

We'll use this information to support our funding decisions and refine practice at a local level.

External national evaluation

We commissioned CFE Research to undertake an impact evaluation assessing the changes that have resulted from Uni Connect interventions.

This uses a range of quantitative, experimental methodologies and includes a review of the evidence from partnerships' local evaluations with reports at key points in the programme. 

Alongside this, we commissioned Ipsos to conduct a formative evaluation of Uni Connect, focused on understanding:

• strategic outreach planning and delivery
• scope for supporting pre-16 attainment in schools
• impact of policy and funding changes
• evaluation practice across the sector.

In May 2023, we refreshed the Uni Connect evidence bank. This is a database resource that details nearly all the evidence submissions CFE Research have accepted and reviewed over the last five Uni Connect evidence reviews, covering 314 sources of outreach evaluation evidence. 

Ipsos has also developed learning digests to ensure we make the most of the Uni Connect evaluation findings.

We are in the process of scoping our future approach to the national impact evaluation.

OfS national evaluation

We have undertaken:

• quantitative analysis using national administrative datasets to assess the application outcomes of Key Stage 4 learners living in areas targeted by Uni Connect
• ongoing monitoring and governance of partnerships, including account management and monitoring of annual financial returns and operating plans.

Partnership local evaluation

Partnerships are undertaking:

• longitudinal tracking of Uni Connect target learners at local and national level to evaluate the impact of particular interventions
• local evaluation of their activities.

Research

We commissioned CFE Research and Public First to explore the benefits of collaborative access activities for higher education providers, wider stakeholders, and students.

The research considers current and potential barriers to collaboration. The findings draw on insights from existing research on collaborative access and interviews with a range of higher education stakeholders.

Evaluation and research reports