UWC FYE: First-Year Experience
Message from the Acting Director of Learning, Teaching & Student Success and Teaching & Learning Specialist in the Office of the DVC: Academic: Professor Sue Pather
Welcome First Year students. The First Year Experience (FYE) at UWC is a new initiative at the institution. FYE is anticipated to foster a successful university transition and student experience. Through partnerships with faculties, departments, units, staff, and student leaders, we envisage our FYE to create the space for you, to define how you will engage, learn, and thrive at the University of the Western Cape. Always be open to new opportunities and challenge yourself to move out of your comfort zone.
Contact: supather@uwc.ac.za
To learn more about how to survive your first year at university click on the guidebook below for tips.
Click the image to view or download the guidebook
WHAT IS UWC FYE?
DEFINING UWC FYE:
The UWC FYE is an intentional and student-centred programme that fosters an inclusive first-year student transition into higher learning in a systematic and co-ordinated way which celebrates diversity and UWC values. The UWC FYE programme integrates curricular and co-curricular activities in order to facilitate a shared sense of belonging, retention and success for all our first-year students.
AIM:
To provide student-centred initiatives to enhance FY student transition and a quality student experience, thereby enabling students to stay and succeed at UWC.
OBJECTIVES:
- To build a sense of community & connectedness with the institution;
- To promote academic integration between staff and students;
- To promote social integration between students & peers;
- To provide students with academic support;
- To provide a safe, inclusive and quality FYE;
- To promote student retention & success
VISION:
To significantly enhance first year student retention, engagement and success by addressing issues relating to first year transition and improved academic performance.
FYE FRAMEWORK & STUDENT SUCCESS MODEL
FYE FRAMEWORK
UWC STUDENT SUCCESS MODEL
RETENTION STRATEGY
A central focus of UWC's retention and success strategy is students' engagement with university structures. It is envisaged that intentionally planned student engagement will enhance the students’ sense of belonging and academic success which could contribute to an improved student experience and increased retention, academic success and graduation rates. UWC’s strategy will include both institution?wide initiatives and faculty interventions targeting specific student populations, such as first?year students and students at-risk.
FIRST YEAR TRANSITION PROGRAMME (FYTP)
"Student Partnerships. For students, by students."
The FYTP is a new initiative at UWC to provide first year undergraduate students with mentorship to promote student success through engagement. The goal is to support all first year students to help them reach their full potential in their university experience. We hope to display Collaboration, Integration, Respect and Trust with all students, First Year Transition Officers (FYTOs) and mentors during their time at UWC.
Our aim is to assist students with a smooth transition into university so that they could achieve their full academic potential and graduate within the minimum period. The retention and throughput of students is facilitated using different strategies and interventions.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
WOULD YOU LIKE A FIRST YEAR MENTOR?
Click a Faculty Tile Below to Send a Pre-Drafted Email
EVENTS
FYE TALKS Schedule
| Date | Day | Time | Topic |
|---|---|---|---|
| 28 Feb | Friday | 13:00 - 14:00 | Welcome |
| 12 March | Wednesday | 13:00 - 14:00 | ChatGPT and Plagiarism |
| 26 March | Wednesday | 13:00 - 14:00 | Writing Skills |
| 16 April | Friday | 13:00 - 14:00 | Library resources |
| 9 May | Wednesday | 13:00 - 14:00 | Mental Wellbeing and Stress Management |
Venue to be confirmed with monthly Invitation. Topics are subject to change and will be communicated timeously.
FY Course
Coming Soon
Stay tuned for our exciting FY Course designed to help first-year students succeed. Details will be announced soon!
FACULTIES
UWC FACULTIES WELCOME YOU!
TO FIND OUT MORE ABOUT YOUR FACULTY, CLICK ON THE LINKS BELOW
ARTS & HUMANITIES
COMMUNITY & HEALTH SCIENCES
DENTISTRY
ECONOMIC AND MANAGEMENT SCIENCES
EDUCATION
SUPPORT SERVICES
TO FIND OUT MORE ABOUT OUR SUPPORT SERVICES, CLICK ON THE LINKS BELOW
CENTRE FOR STUDENT SUPPORT SERVICES
OFFICE FOR STUDENT DEVELOPMENT(UWC CAREER SERVICES)
RESIDENTIAL SERVICES
UWC WRITING CENTRE
UWC LIBRARY
UWC CAMPUS NAVIGATION
Explore the UWC campus from anywhere and experience the dynamic campus life through an engaging virtual tour! Please Scan the QR Code to load the interactive map on your mobile device.
RESEARCH ARTICLES
UNIVERSITIES NEED TO TAKE NOTE OF THE GAP BETWEEN EXPECTATIONS AND EXPERIENCE
The student population at South African universities have changed dramatically in the last two decades. It’s now much more diverse in terms of age, race, culture, backgrounds, educational experience and academic potential.
This transformation has brought with it a wide variety of student expectations – largely influenced by their school experience, family background and home communities – about... CLICK HERE to view the full article!
FIXING THE FIRST-YEAR EXPERIENCE: STUDYING STUDENT SUCCESS AT UWC
One of the greatest challenges in higher education is simply ensuring that students make it through their university careers and graduate on time - and that challenge begins in first-year where there’s often a clash between what students expect, and what they actually experience at university
“One of the biggest challenges for universities dealing with first-years is simply knowing what it is they expect of us,” says Dr Subethra Pather, who heads the First-Year Experience programme at the University of the Western Cape (UWC). “The mismatch between expectation and reality can... CLICK HERE to view the full article!
PEER PARTNERSHIPS IN A FIRST YEAR TRANSITION PROGRAMME DURING COVID-19: UNMASKING STUDENT VOICES
Student voices have the potential to increase student engagement; encourage collaboration and partnerships among students, academics and student support units. This paper focuses on students as mentors, mentees and transition officers who engage with each other as partners within an institution-wide First Year Transition Programme (FYTP)....CLICK HERE to view the full article!
CONTACT US
Embark on an exciting journey with us! Stay connected and up-to-date on all things First Year Experience by visiting our vibrant social media handles. Join our community as we share valuable insights, updates, and engaging content to make your first year unforgettable. Follow us for a front-row seat to the adventure that awaits!
