Universities UK today launched a new project highlighting the work of student support services within higher education institutions.

The aim of the project is to identify those activities that effectively support students through to successful completion of their course. The research is being funded by the DfES and will be carried out at Staffordshire University.

Forum Response: Universities UK

A spokesperson for Universities UK told ePolitix.com: "Higher education institutions provide an impressive range of services to support their students and this important project will identify and disseminate examples of good practice to the sector. It will consider the most effective ways of ensuring access to services, particularly for those at risk of non-completion.

"It will also analyse the context and policy drivers for student services in the next two to three years, including resource issues. For example it will consider what incentives there are or might be in encouraging higher education institutions to deliver high quality student services.

"Because ultimately proper funding is vital for future success and development in this area, as outlined in Universities UK's submission to the government's 2002 spending review."