Non-submission - what are the implications for closing the GEM attainment gap?

The non-submission of assignments has a significant impact on the student identity and experience but is not well understood (Prinsloo 2019). 70% of Integrated Foundation (IFY) students at UON have a G grade on their academic profile as they enter Level 4, yet addressing non-submission can close 50% of the GEM attainment gap (See Appendix 1). This project will conduct quantitative and qualitative longitudinal research into the experience and implications of non-submission of assignments of GEM and non-GEM students in IFY. The project aims to understand the long-term implications in terms of academic outcomes.

Students at the University of Northampton are assessed by completed assignments and by examination. If a student submits an assignment late their mark is reduced and if they do not submit at all, they receive no marks for that assignment. Previous research has shown that half of the awarding gap between GEM (Global Ethnic Majority) and White students is due to late or non-submission. The aim of this project is to explore late and non-submission to provide an understanding which can be used to try to reduce late and non-submission.