

4. What did RO participants get out of
the programme?
There have now been nine annual cohorts of students participating in the RO programme since its launch in 2009.
Some questions in the Baseline survey are repeated in the Follow-up survey so that responses can be compared to
measure the impact of the programme on participants, and additional questions in the Follow-up survey ask respondents
to consider the impact that participation has had on them.
Preparedness for university
Based on their responses at the Follow-up survey conducted
towards the end of Year 13 compared with those at the
Baseline survey at the start of the programme, RO
participants in Cohort 8 felt significantly more prepared
for many aspects of university life as a result of their
participation in RO.
l
88% knew more about how to apply to university
l
72% knew more about the differences between course
options
l
70% had more understanding of what a RIU is
l
68% had more understanding of the costs and financial
support available for university
l
65% knew more about how university study compares
with school
Figure 1 Proportion of Cohort 8 students whose awareness of university aspects
increased between the start and end of the RO programme
Source: Cohort 8 Follow-up survey linked with Baseline survey
6
% of students with increased awareness
0 10
20 30
40 50 60 70 80 90
How to apply to university
88
Differences between course options
72
What a RIU is
70
Costs/financial support for university
68
How uni study compares to school
65
Differences between universities
63
Best universities for subjects
61
What the subjects of interest involve
60
How to find out about courses
58
How to get into chosen career
57
What student life is like
57
How to find out about different universities
54
Future career options/choices
44