The development and initial use of a survey of student ‘belongingness’, engagement and self-confidence in UK higher education

Abstract

Students’ sense of ‘belongingness’ and their engagement in academic study have been identified as key contributors to student success. A short instrument that can identify changes over time in students’ sense of belonging to their institution, their academic engagement and their self-confidence has been developed and used in conjunction with the ‘What Works? Student Retention and Success Change Programme’ (supported by the Paul Hamlyn Foundation and the Higher Education Academy). This article outlines the instrument, its rationale (including its relationship with other survey instruments) and its technical characteristics, and presents analyses of the data. The practical utilisation of the survey is also discussed.

Keywords:

• belonging
• engagement
• self-confidence
• survey

Acknowledgements

The work reported in this article has been supported by the Paul Hamlyn Foundation and the Higher Education Academy. Thanks are due to colleagues and students for their contribution to the pilot studies. Thanks are also due to the staff in the universities participating in the ‘What Works? Student Retention and Success Change Programme’, who have encouraged their students to respond to the survey – and, of course, to the many students who have been willing to complete the survey.