Ayrshire College Outcome Agreements | Page 15

15 Articulation and progression patterns 58.  The College will work with partner universities to increase the number of students at SCQF Level 7 and 8 articulating onto degree level course with advanced standing. Good relationships already exist with the University of the West of Scotland (UWS) and Glasgow Caledonian University in relation to articulation routes for HN achievers, and efforts will be made to consolidate these into targets for articulation. The College will also continue discussions with the University of Strathclyde to become a partner in its Engineering Academy, to allow applicants to the university to complete an HNC or HND at college before attending university to compete a degree. 59.  addition to articulation agreements, the College has been provided with 39 guaranteed places In from UWS encompassing a range of provision. This SFC initiative will span a three year period and the College will work closely with UWS to ensure positive progression and transition for students. 60.  Working in partnership with UWS, the College delivers a BEng and BEng (Hons) in Aircraft Engineering. The College also has partnership arrangements in place with the Open University to deliver degrees in Social Science and in Criminal Justice Studies. Engaging with students 61.  Listening and responding to the student voice is key to the College’s success and we will continue to prioritise the engagement of our students in all aspects of the life and work of the College. We will further develop our engagement with the Student Association and develop our strategy based on the Scottish Student Engagement Framework, created with partners such SFC, Sparqs and Colleges Scotland. The College will continue to support the development of capacity of the student body. 62.  Focus groups will be an important aspect of communication, allowing students to share views and consider issues such as provision and delivery. We will also involve students proactively in the development of a range of College plans and projects, as well as campus and cross college committees to ensure that the student voice is heard and acted on. 63.  With enhanced staff resources and software systems, the College’s quality directorate will carry out regular surveys of our student population in relation to satisfaction, retention, destinations, etc. Tackling inequalities 64.  The priority actions and outputs outlined in this Outcome Agreement are underpinned by the College’s equality outcomes that Ayrshire College: Is an inclusive organisation which respects and encourages diversity in all of its activities Advances equality of opportunity for all students and staff who share particular protected characteristics to participate in College life and achieve positive outcomes Promotes wellbeing to improve the positive mental health of students and staff Increases male and female student participation in subjects where they are underrepresented. 65.  The College will build on our ground-breaking work in introducing shared campus-based posts with partners such as Police Scotland and NHS Ayrshire and Arran. www.ayrshire.ac.uk