Transition in Higher Education: Exploring the experiences of first and second year psychology undergraduate students

Abstract

This paper describes an ongoing research project exploring how psychology undergraduates experience the process of transition in higher education. The study is unusual because it is being conducted primarily by students themselves through an institutional bursary scheme which provides undergraduates with the opportunity to work as researchers on a pedagogic project. To date, seven first and second year full-time undergraduate psychology students have participated in individual semi-structured interviews and a focus group about their experiences of transition. Thematic analysis of the data collected so far has identified themes around students’ development of personal and social identity and their need for preparedness. Proposals for how the work will be further developed are discussed.