Exemplar Collection
The exemplars present evidence-informed interventions implemented by higher education institutions in Ireland to support student retention and progression across the undergraduate lifecycle.
| HEI Name | Munster Technological University |
|---|---|
| Exemplar Title | MTU Ready — Arrival Toolkit for First-Year Students |
| Focus |
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| Theme |
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| National/Institutional Context | MTU’s strategic plan includes several learner, education, and experience objectives. These include: (1) MTU will empower learners to make informed choices throughout their education journeys; and (2) MTU will provide a digital learning experience to increase flexibility, creating new learning opportunities, and enrich the learning experience of all students. MTU Ready is directly aligned with both strategic priorities. Please see: https://www.mtu.ie/media/mtu-website/courses/documents/MTU-Strategic-Plan.pdf.
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| Overview of Initiative | MTU Ready is an online arrival toolkit that incoming first-year students access before starting university. Hosted on the Potential.ly Ltd platform (London-based specialists in digital education), the arrival toolkit invites students to reflect on their preparedness and needs. Upon completion, they receive a personalised report that includes: (A) a visual summary of their responses; (B) highlighted strengths and potential challenges; and (C) tailored recommendations for MTU support and services. The toolkit explores key areas like student academic preparedness and study skills, social and community integration, transition and adaptation, as well as time management and personal concerns. It’s not just a questionnaire — it’s an early connection point between students and the MTU community. The following comprises an initial snapshot of our headline findings in September/October 2025:
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| Aim and objectives of initiative | MTU Ready aims to help incoming students reflect, plan, and feel seen before they start studying at MTU. The programme aims to encourage early engagement with support, a culture where seeking help is normal, greater retention, and a stronger first-year experience. Objective 1: To encourage early engagement. Objective 2: To promote a culture where seeking help is normal. Objective 3: To improve retention rates and strengthen first-year experience. |
| Monitoring & Oversight | MTU Ready is administered via our 10-item arrival check-in on our interactive platform. By analysing data, facilitating second-semester focus groups, running surveys, and holding regular team review meetings, we effectively oversee and monitor the project. Annually, MTU submits a detailed HEA report on TSAF-supported activity, shared with relevant University Executives. For 2025/26, we monitored engagement early via the arrival toolkit and class visits, gathered qualitative feedback in semester 2, and will track retention to assess ongoing impact into 2026/27. |
| Data & Evidence of Impact | MTU Ready achieved a 44% response rate, capturing students’ subject choice preferences and motivations. Seventy-five percent of students were intrinsically motivated to study, and they were also influenced by open days, social connections, and guidance counsellors. This suggests the greatest impact comes from fostering connection and peer engagement early, particularly for commuting students and those not in university accommodation. Impact has been established for objective one. In total, 44% of incoming students completed the arrival check-in and received personalised reports. We have seen an increase in teacher-requested class visits. We have also seen increases in attendance at the Academic Learning Centre and in requests for support around student groupwork. Objectives two and three require further evaluation. |
| Additional Information | |
| Image |  |
| Exemplar_MTU-Ready.pdf | |
| Licence | CC BY |
| Date Added | 15 April 2026 |
| Full Case Study PDF | Case-Study_MTU-Ready.pdf |