Design and Timetable

Drawing on theories of differentiation, stratification and transition the influence of dual sectors will be investigated at three levels:

1. At the macro level, the findings of policy interviews and statistical studies will be compared with international evidence on analogous systems.
2. At the meso level, a typology of dual-sector organisations, partnerships and networks will be developed from an analysis of national datasets and case studies of further and higher institutions.
3. At the micro level, fieldwork conducted in four partner dual-sector institutions will assess the significance and meaning of moving between further and higher education and between short-cycle higher education and the bachelor degree.

The project is funded for 29 months, from February 2006 to July 2008.