Understanding Student Outcomes: Snakes and Ladders

The Student Success Academic Excellence Scholarship is a 3-year longitudinal study of 27 Academic Excellence Scholarship (AES) students who commenced their studies at the University of Kent in the 2019-20 academic year.​ It compares individual narratives and trajectories and captures critical moments and processes involved in change (Calman et al, 2013). It also maps and critically compares 27 ‘high-potential’ Kent students’ learning strategies, motivations, and resource accumulation across their undergraduate study. Sample design enables us to compare students by ethnicity, entry qualification, and class background.​ The majority of the students graduated in 2022 and 2023 but research analysis is still ongoing. Meanwhile, a new interactive activity has been created from existing AES data, and other relevant Kent data, for staff to understand factors enabling and inhibiting student success. This takes the form of the Snakes and Ladders game of chance, which represents the students journey through academic life with its unexpected ups and downs. Participants attending this workshop will gain valuable insights and helpful tips on supporting students to get the best outcomes from university.