Student support

We are always seeking ways to improve our student experience and particularly the support we give them. 

Feedback from students, and many staff, told us that our previous approach was effective in some areas but didn’t consistently meet student or staff needs. Academic guidance and advice is critical – and will always be available - but when it goes beyond this it faces challenges, especially with student needs and expectations spanning beyond academic support.

Working together

After extensive consultation with students and staff, we designed a new model to provide dedicated support for everyone who chooses to study on taught programmes with us.

Across the University, joined-up teams of academics, professional services staff and fellow students work together to give students guidance and advice on practical matters, wellbeing and their studies.

Each undergraduate and postgraduate taught student has a dedicated Student Adviser and a Supervisor for postgraduate researchers who they can turn to for help when they need it.

Wellbeing Advisers provide a layer of support between the student advisers and the specialist services, such as counselling and disability support, to help students with more complex issues with their health, wellbeing, studies or personal life. 

Academic staff and teaching teams continue to play an active role in the entire student journey and academic progress. New senior academic roles called Cohort Leads lead on helping students get the most out of their study. 

Alongside this, we have strengthened our Peer Assisted Learning Schemes to further enhance and promote the peer support available. 

The overall aim is to benefit our students – to ensure that they have access to consistent levels of timely, professional, empathetic support covering both academic and pastoral matters from within their School, providing support in a more cohort or community-focused environment for students when and where they need it. 

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Success

The project formally closed on 31 July 2024, having successfully implemented the new model and achieved its deliverables. A Student Support Handover was established to ensure the model continues to be monitored and evaluated, with quality assurance and continuous improvement processes established. 

More information

How we support you

Supporting students