What Works? Students' experiences and perceptions of belonging, confidence and engagement during the first year at the University of Brighton

As a participant in ‘What Works' (2013-17), an HEA-led programme that aims to enhance student success and retention in higher education, the University of Brighton is conducting an ongoing evaluation to investigate students' experiences of starting their degrees, including retention interventions in three disciplines: Business Management, Applied Social Science (Hastings) and Digital Media courses. This article presents findings of the 2013-14 University of Brighton qualitative study, which accompanied the UK wide What Works survey led by Mantz Yorke. Findings suggest that learning, teaching, assessment and interventions helped to enhance students' engagement, confidence and sense of belonging to peer learning communities in each discipline. However, data also identified transitional challenges that students faced and highlighted suggestions for positive change. This has helped inform further discipline related developments in teaching, curricula and interventions in 2014-15, contributing to the university's commitment to providing an engaging and successful experience for first year students.