New PAQ case studies put survey follow-through in focus

Updated Oct 27, 2026

Advance HE announced new PAQ case studies on 1 October 2026, describing how institutions have used the Pre-arrival Academic Questionnaire to inform support and planning. Its latest update describes service follow-up and challenges in sharing findings.

What the PAQ case studies add

The new case-study collection includes Portsmouth's account of using responses. The university ran its questionnaire during induction in September 2025. Careers staff subsequently contacted students seeking part-time work; disability services checked responses against existing records and contacted students potentially missing from their provision. Headline findings also went back to students. Portsmouth case study, pages 1–2.

Timing and follow-through remained obstacles. A clash with other surveys reduced Portsmouth's response window to two weeks. The account reports lower participation than hoped and difficulty sharing findings consistently across the institution.

Advance HE also confirms that the second pilot wave is under way at 22 institutions across England, Scotland and Wales, covering undergraduate and postgraduate taught programmes. Findings are planned for early 2027.

References

[Advance HE]: "Pre-arrival insight helps institutions provide earlier and more targeted student support" Published: 2026-10-01

[Advance HE]: "Pre-arrival Academic Questionnaire: Case studies" Published: 2026-10-01 (case-study entries)

[Advance HE]: "From insight to intervention: Using PAQ data to deliver targeted student support at Portsmouth" Published: 2026-10-01