With the aim of creating a better understanding of the experiences of higher education, the Centre for Higher Education Research works with the Edinburgh Napier-led national placement programme e-Placement Scotland ( https://www.e-placementscotland.com/ ) to better understand the impact of meaningful work experience on graduate experiences and transition to a graduate role.
We have shown that students with work placement experience are more likely to gain a graduate role more quickly and earn more initially than those who graduate without work experience. Our critical approach to research has revealed, however, that not all students have equal access to placement opportunities, with some under-represented groups less successful in securing work placements. This enables universities to target support where is it most needed and to challenge the status quo across industry sectors.
We have researched Graduate Apprenticeships from various perspectives: policy implementation, understanding the motivations behind being an apprentice, the challenges of work-life-study balance for apprentices and the social mobility potential for apprenticeships.