22 < BACK TO CONTENTS UNITE STUDENTS | THE IMPACT OF SOCIOECONOMIC BACKGROUND ON THE STUDENT EXPERIENCE This research draws on a literature review, data from the 2024 Applicant Index, and interviews and focus groups with students. A total of 31 students from two higher education institutions took part in qualitative research, which included one-to-one semi-structured interviews and two focus groups. One of the focus groups used a semi-structured question approach, and the other involved a presentation of the findings to date, inviting students to build on them and suggest recommendations. Transcripts of the interviews and initial focus group were coded thematically, guided by the themes arising from the literature review. Recommendations were developed based on suggestions from students and examples of schemes or interventions that had helped them. Students who met the criteria for the project were invited to take part by their university. They were required to sign an informed consent statement before taking part in the research, and were signposted to sources of support within their university should they need them. The scope of the qualitative research avoided direct questions about mental health on ethical and risk grounds. Students were rewarded for their time in taking part in the research. APPENDIX: METHODOLOGY AND RESEARCH ETHICS