“Take away some of the fear”: An evaluation of how a pre-arrival module helped to support student transition to first year psychology

The transition to higher education can be challenging, particularly for students with limited social or cultural capital. Early difficulties are associated with lower continuation rates, highlighting the need for pre-arrival support. To address this, the School of Psychology at the University of East Anglia developed a four week online pre-arrival module for incoming undergraduates, aiming to demystify university life and reduce pre-arrival anxiety. This work draws on survey and focus group data to evaluate the modules impact and contributes to sector discussions about how pre-arrival initiatives can bridge the gap between offer and orientation, especially for students from underrepresented backgrounds. Students valued having friendly and accessible resources before arrival, and many reported that the module helped them feel more prepared and connected to the school prior to enrolment. Insights from the evaluation informed the redevelopment of the module for the following academic year, incorporating student perspectives. This works reflects a wider commitment in Higher Education to co-create transition support with students, ensuring initiatives are relevant, inclusive, and responsive to diverse needs.