The impact of attaining the Welsh Baccalaureate Advanced Diploma on academic performance in bioscience higher education

Yhnell, E, Wood, H, Baker, M.D, Amici-Dargan, S, Taylor, C, Randerson, P and Shore, A (2016) 'The impact of attaining the Welsh Baccalaureate Advanced Diploma on academic performance in bioscience higher education.' International Journal of Science Education, 38 (1). pp. 156-169. ISSN 0950-0693

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Official URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/09500693.2015.1135353

Abstract

Since the introduction of the Welsh Baccalaureate Advanced Diploma Qualification (WBQ) in 2003, an increasing number of students are applying to higher education institutions (HEIs) with this qualification. The advanced-level WBQ is regarded as equivalent to one General Certificate of Education A-Level (GCE A-Level). This study assesses the impact of attaining the WBQ in addition to three GCE A-Levels on overall university degree performance in comparison to attaining four GCE A-Levels, in three cohorts of undergraduate students (Year 1 = 318, Year 2 = 280, Year 3 = 236) studying Biosciences from 2005 to 2011 at a UK HEI. Binary logistic regression was used to compare the academic attainment of students who had achieved four GCE A-Levels to those who had achieved three GCE A-Levels in addition to the WBQ. Comparisons were also made between students who had achieved three GCE A-Levels and those who had achieved three GCE A-Levels in addition to the WBQ. The results suggest that students who achieved the WBQ qualification in its current form, in addition to three GCE A-Levels, performed less well academically in undergraduate studies than those who achieved four GCE A-Levels. Furthermore, this effect was still present when the balance between coursework and examination was considered, and when students who had achieved the WBQ in addition to three GCE A-Levels were compared to students who had achieved three GCE A-Levels.

Item Type: Article
Keywords: Welsh Baccalaureate Qualification (WBQ), higher education (HE), entry-level qualification, GCE A-Level, admissions, universities and colleges admissions service (UCAS), widening participation, achievement, binary logistic regression
Subjects: L Education > L Education (General)
L Education > LB Theory and practice of education > LB2300 Higher Education
Q Science > QH Natural history > QH301 Biology
Divisions: School of Sciences
Identification Number: https://doi.org/10.1080/09500693.2015.1135353
Date Deposited: 21 Feb 2017 11:03
Last Modified: 15 Aug 2021 09:45
URI / Page ID: https://researchspace.bathspa.ac.uk/id/eprint/9071
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