The Support of Deaf Students in the Transition between Further Education and School into Higher Education

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to investigate the support that exists for deaf students in the transition between further education and school into higher education in the UK. Deaf students make applications to higher education from a variety of educational institutions, such as Specialist Colleges for the Deaf, hearing impaired units within mainstream schools or mainstream schools and colleges. The support they receive is dependent on educational setting, degree of hearing loss, communication method, academic level, and the experience of those working with them. This study investigated the issues that deaf students may need to consider when applying for university and looked at the support services that a group of deaf students received in their transition to higher education. Through questionnaires and a case study, data were collected about the process the students had been through. The aim was twofold: first to investigate the current support that exists for deaf students in the transition to higher education. Second, to use the results to create an advice guide to enable professionals and parents to support deaf students with their applications, to facilitate informed decisions about university choices, and ensure awareness of the differences between study at school or further education and higher education.