Male student experience

ECU has commissioned research to explore the experiences of male students in higher education in relation to their engagement with academic and pastoral support services. The research will seek to identify factors that impact upon male student engagement in comparison to female students and will identify trends and recommendations for the HE sector. 

ECU has developed this project in response to the widening attainment gap between male and female students in higher education as evidenced by ECU's 2010 Statistical Report and previous work undertaken by ECU and the Higher Education Academy on degree attainment. At present male students are more likely than female students to attain a lower second or third class honours. In addition they are more likely to withdraw from their course.

The research is being overseen by an advisory group with representatives from AMOSSHE, the Higher Education Academy, the Academic Registrars Council, the National Union of Students and an HE institution.