Abstract
Arriving at university can be a confusing and disorientating experience; a world away from sixth form and college. Educators, researchers and policy makers within higher education, agree that developing a sense of belonging is fundamental to students’ settling in, engaging and achieving academic success. This paper examines undergraduates’ university journey and their perceptions of what it means to ‘belong’ or not belong. Three-hundred and fifty first year undergraduate students on BA (Hons) business and management at Leeds Business School, part of Leeds Beckett University, participated in a qualitative study exploring students’ sense of belonging from their perspectives. Students were asked to upload their own sense of belonging moments through a mixed media digital noticeboard, representing their journey from pre-arrival to mid-second semester. Research revealed there were many opportunities during this time, for academic and services staff, and the students themselves, to foster belonging. In response, Sense of Belonging 'Moments' are being promoted through fresh interventions, including a new-look fun and welcoming induction, a video to signpost services; and student-led tours to promote awareness of campus spaces and amenities, and activities to facilitate making friends.
Author Information
Esther Pugh, Leeds Beckett University, United Kingdom
Sukky Jassi, Leeds Beckett University, United Kingdom
Bethany Chambers, Leeds Beckett University, United Kingdom
Paper Information
Conference: BCE2024
Stream: Learning Experiences
This paper is part of the BCE2024 Conference Proceedings (View)
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To cite this article:
Pugh E., Jassi S., & Chambers B. (2025) Mapping Sense of Belonging ‘Moments’ on University Students’ Journey ISSN: 2435-9467 – The Barcelona Conference on Education 2024: Official Conference Proceedings (pp. 613-626) https://doi.org/10.22492/issn.2435-9467.2024.53
To link to this article: https://doi.org/10.22492/issn.2435-9467.2024.53
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