This project has been led by University College Falmouth with Plymouth College of Art and Design and Dartington College of Arts which has since been incorporated into University College Falmouth.

The principal aims of this project were to provide a pilot web based portal to support progression for foundation degree students. However as the project progressed it became clear that there was a need for a web site that provided broader information to address NALN’s widening participation agenda.

The preliminary research informed the nature, content and modes of communication the portal developed. It is intended to enable potential applicants to conduct a personal needs analysis to measure the suitability of their qualifications, learning achievements and experience in relation to progression to specific Honours Degree level courses in art, design media and performance.

The portal enables students to explore, question and communicate with staff and peers, and to interrogate case studies and the most effective means of providing information on further study opportunities.

Through our initial research the overwhelming questions that prospective students wanted answers to are 'what really happens?' and the need for a web site that 'told the truth' and was seen to be 'authentic' presenting an 'unscripted' student voice. As NALN is independent of any single institution this gave us the opportunity to 'tell the story' from a student's perspective and not have to rely on the institutionally branded testimony of any one university's marketing department. Our artanddesignstudentlife website is intended to enable potential applicants to Higher Education (HE) and students in HE to explore life and share experiences through student perspectives in relation to their progress and development.

Explore the site here: www.artanddesignstudentlife.org/