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Predicting outcomes in sport and exercise science degrees: the effect of qualification pathways

Hastings, Jayne; Noyes, Andrew

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Authors

Jayne Hastings

ANDREW NOYES ANDREW.NOYES@NOTTINGHAM.AC.UK
Professor of Education



Abstract

In the UK, most prospective university students study ‘traditional’ academic qualifications such as A-Levels. However, increasing numbers of students are entering UK higher education with 'non-traditional' or vocational qualifications. This has provoked debate about the relationships between entry qualifications and degree outcomes; this paper investigates this relationship in sport and exercise science. Data from five large cohorts of undergraduates at a post-1992 university in the Midlands of England are analysed to investigate predictors of degree outcomes. The models predict better degree outcomes for those with higher UCAS tariff points; who studied A-Levels; who were female and white. Students entering with only vocational qualifications were more likely to be BME, male, and from poorer backgrounds. Therefore, the apparent associations between entry qualifications and outcomes can misrecognise the importance of the qualifications themselves. Students are not randomly distributed between post-16 qualification pathways and any associations with degree outcomes might be a function of factors that influenced choices at aged 16. This is particularly important now, amidst major reforms of post-16 qualifications in England, including the development of the new Technical Level qualifications.

Citation

Hastings, J., & Noyes, A. (2023). Predicting outcomes in sport and exercise science degrees: the effect of qualification pathways. Journal of Further and Higher Education, 47(10), 1337-1350. https://doi.org/10.1080/0309877X.2023.2244434

Journal Article Type Article
Acceptance Date Jul 31, 2023
Online Publication Date Aug 6, 2023
Publication Date Aug 6, 2023
Deposit Date Aug 2, 2023
Publicly Available Date Aug 17, 2023
Journal Journal of Further and Higher Education
Print ISSN 0309-877X
Electronic ISSN 1469-9486
Publisher Routledge
Peer Reviewed Peer Reviewed
Volume 47
Issue 10
Pages 1337-1350
DOI https://doi.org/10.1080/0309877X.2023.2244434
Keywords Sport and exercise science; level 3 qualifications; UCAS tariff points; degree outcomes; A-Level; BTEC
Public URL https://nottingham-repository.worktribe.com/output/23714070
Publisher URL https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/0309877X.2023.2244434

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