An evaluation of the effect of bursary and other types of financial support on student outcomes at the University of Cumbria

This project forms part of an evaluation of the impact of financial support, provided by the University of Cumbria (UoC), to students from under-represented groups. It reports on a statistical analysis to detect whether there is an impact of financial support, but also reports on the contribution of other variables likely to affect student outcomes. In summary, the analysis finds financial support at UoC is effective because financial support recipients* have the same outcomes (continuation into 2nd year; degree completion; degree result and graduate outcomes) as students from homes with mid-level incomes and who had not received a bursary (the comparison group). However, there is insufficient financial support available, which means that not all eligible students receive bursaries. Eligible students who did not receive bursaries had a significantly worse outcome than eligible students who did receive bursaries, as they were less likely to continue into 2nd year. *students from homes with low income levels and who had therefore received a bursary