National College of Art and Design The First Year Studies Experience

The First Year Studies Experience is a series of targeted measures introduced to enhance the first-year student experience and support student success. In 2016/17, the number of students requiring a second assessment opportunity at January Exam Boards was 19%. To reduce the number of resits and repeats, the following measures were piloted and then mainstreamed:

The scheduling of teaching and assessment was coordinated across modules to distribute the assessment workload.
Students grouped in Class groups (“Bays”) established in the first six weeks continued to work together in weekly visual culture seminars throughout the year, to prevent disruption to students’ sense of belonging and social stability.
Induction and orientation were improved by introducing:
department tours, focused guest lectures and multi-discipline panel discussions to support student decision-making in their choice of specialism.
comprehensive library induction, with a dedicated small group tour, as part of the precourse induction.
“Safe to Fail”: a mandatory and accredited Library Quiz whose primary purpose is the early identification of students struggling to engage.
Further enhancements continue to be made. The team overseeing induction and orientation will be expanded to include NCAD’s recently appointed EDI Officer, supporting continued development of the initiative.