The 2025 Pre-arrival Academic Questionnaire (PAQ) national pilot Wave One, produced in collaboration with the University of East London and Jisc, gathered data from incoming undergraduates across 15 diverse higher education institutions in England. The findings shed light on the learning histories, expectations, wellbeing concerns and financial pressures students carry with them as they enter higher education.
As a follow up to the results, we wanted to investigate the impact that the new data was having on the institutions which took part. Findings from the first wave of results have helped staff identify mental health, disability, study and financial support needs, inform induction and Welcome Week planning, develop student resources and improve coordination between academic teams and professional services, and we can now share a series of case studies showing how institutions are turning that evidence into earlier, more inclusive and better-coordinated support, responding to students’ circumstances and expectations before pressures emerge.
The case studies, from Norland University of Early Childhood, SOAS, Southampton Solent University, UCEN Manchester, University of Portsmouth and University of Worcester, demonstrate several different ways that the data can be used to improve outcomes for students, including developing improved employment and disability support, mental health and financial support, informing strategic discussions, shaping Welcome Week and transition support and developing a coherent approach from academic governance, senior leaders and support groups.
Read the case studies below.
Published On: 01/10/2026
Planning for impact: Norland University of Early Childhood’s PAQ pilot and the value of early preparation
Case study from Norland University of Early Childhood on how they have used the insights from the Pre-arrival Academic Questionnaire
Published On: 01/10/2026
From insight to intervention: Using PAQ data to deliver targeted student support at Portsmouth
Case study from the University of Portsmouth on how they have used the data from the Pre-arrival Academic Questionnaire.
Published On: 01/10/2026
Embedding early insight in complex environments: SOAS’s PAQ pilot and the challenge of engagement
Case study from SOAS on how they have used the data from the Pre-arrival Academic Questionnaire.
Published On: 01/10/2026
Turning insight into action: Southampton Solent University’s experience of embedding the PAQ
Case study from Southampton Solent University on how they have used the data from the Pre-arrival Questionnaire.
Published On: 01/10/2026
From reflection to intervention: How UCEN Manchester used the PAQ to support student success
Case study from UCEN Manchester on how they have used the data from the Pre-arrival Questionnaire.
Published On: 01/10/2026
From reflection to action: How the University of Worcester embedded the PAQ into the student experience
Case study from the University of Worcester on how they have used the data from the Pre-arrival Questionnaire.
