This project is about finding better ways to understand why some university students disengage from their studies and how to help them re-engage quickly and effectively. It will do this by listening to students directly, creating a tool to guide staff in choosing the right support, and building a shared resource of successful strategies. 

The project tackles the two key challenges of identifying disengaged students early enough to help them, and choosing the right support quickly to make a difference. 

Current tools like attendance tracking or module reviews are either too late, too limited, or not representative. This matters because disengagement affects student success, staff workload, and institutional performance. By improving how we respond to disengagement, the project supports quality, retention, and student wellbeing across the HE sector. 

Student disengagement is rising, and with universities holding a duty of care and students paying substantial fees for their education, there is a pressing need for faster, more effective interventions that ensure fair and timely support for all learners. 

The outputs from this project will benefit staff and students across the sector, and will include:

Initial findings from focus groups and a draft decision tree will be available during the project year, with the full repository and final toolkit launched after pilot testing—likely within 12 months of project start.  QAA members can get involved through participating in dissemination events and webinars to explore findings and share insights.  Please get in touch with the project team if you are interested to hear more, or to support the hosting or promotion of the engagement toolkit and repository via institutional websites or networks.