Easing the transition: how a new induction model helps maths students connect

In recent years, a recurring theme in student feedback within the Department of Mathematics & Statistics at the University of Strathclyde has been the difficulty many first-year students face in forming friendships and identifying peers on the same degree programme. With around 150 new students joining each year across ten distinct degree programmes, it became clear that the existing induction structure was not providing enough opportunity for meaningful social or academic connection.