CONFERENCES
E&PDE 2026 - 28th International Conference on Engineering & Product Design Education
The Conference will bring together representatives from education and industry interested in sharing new perspectives on design education.
Knowledge Base Repository
In addition to research papers, the Design Society is developing several valuable resources for those interested in the study of design. These include a repository of PhD theses, a library of case studies and transcripts of design activities, and an archive of our newsletters. Please note that these resources are accessible exclusively to Design Society members.
SUPPORTING DIVERSITY IN CIVIL ENGINEERING EDUCATION: EXPERIENCES OF STUDENTS WITH VOCATIONAL AND ACADEMIC BACKGROUNDS
Thomassen, Malena; Norheimdal, Anette; Lande, Ingrid
Type:
Year:
2026
Editor:
Buck, Lyndon; Brisco. Ross; Bohemia, Erik
Author:
Series:
E&PDE
Institution:
University of Agder, Norway
Page(s):
13 - 18
DOI number:
ISBN:
978-1-912254-24-8
ISSN:
3005-4753
Abstract:
This paper investigates how student with diverse background experiences the Civil Engineer Education at University of Agder (UiA), Norway. Students are being recruited based on vocational qualifications or qualified directly through upper secondary school. One of UiA’s focus areas has been to create different entries for various student groups to provide more people with the opportunity to pursue higher education. This creates diversity within the student group, contributing valuable perspectives and competencies to the learning and teaching environment. At the same time, experiences show that students face different challenges. Those with a vocational background often possess strong practical skills but may encounter greater difficulties with theoretical subjects. In contrast, individuals from an academic upper secondary school generally master the theoretical aspects more easily yet often lack practical experience. Additionally, vocationally qualified students are frequently in different life situations, being more established and older compared to peers coming directly from upper secondary school. The study aims to map how these different backgrounds affect students’ experiences regarding priorities, earned ECT, and overall satisfaction with the program. The focus will be on exploring how to support students with a vocational background to stay in the program and completing their degree, including their views on which elements should be expanded, and which should be minimized. Data will be collected through a survey, and the results are expected to provide insights into how the program can be adapted to support diversity and enhance learning outcomes for all student groups.
Keywords:
