Student Surveys

You said you'd like to see us make some changes to the academic year and more support preparing you for the next stage of your academic lives and careers. In response to your feedback, we've achieved the following:

• A new academic year model was implemented in September 2023 to shorten the January assessment period and to give students a longer break over the festive period.
• We're making some exciting changes to the summer term. We're launching a new programme of learning and development activities for all students to enhance your knowledge and skills, and help you reach your goals as a continuing student or as a graduate.
  • There'll be subject-specific academic transition support to prepare you for the next year, careers workshops and professional skills short courses to enhance your CV. There's also an opportunity for students to do something 'Xtra' - whether that's taking part in events and activities, developing skills, or meeting new people.

Assessment & Feedback

You said you wanted additional support to do your very best with exams and other assessments. We have listened and introduced extra support for this important part of University life:

• We've introduced an Assessment Support Week in Week 6 for the majority of programmes to offer dedicated time and support for you to prepare for your exams and other assessments.
• We've also included more formative assignments on your modules so you can receive guidance prior to deadlines.
• There are greater opportunities to receive feedback on drafted work before your submission deadlines. Staggered deadlines now aim to reduce the pressure of assessment periods with 'assessment submissions windows' being introduced to encourage more flexibility.
• We've put together a whole load of tips, advice and guidance from other students, alongside support from the Academic Skills Centre in one place as part of our UoBe Ready campaign, updated for every assessment season with all the latest help and guidance.

You said you'd like to receive further financial support from us during the Cost of Living crisis. We know this time can feel challenging for students, so in response to your feedback, we've implemented the following:

• Supported your Guild of Students with their Community Pantry initiative alongside establishing the Guild Hardship Fund for students who are experiencing a short-term, unexpected financial difficulty.
• We now have lots of free utilities on campus where you can fill up your water bottle, access kitchens (with hot and cold water taps) and microwaves, giving you the flexibility to bring your own food and drink onto campus. 
• We also have the Student Support Fund which can award up to £2,000 to any student (undergraduate orpostgraduate) who is struggling to meet their basic living costs.
• Supplies of free environmentally friendly period products are also available to collect for anyone who may need them at the Student Hub.

Supporting your Mental Health and Wellbeing is important to us. In response to your feedback, we've shaped the following:

• We've invested in two new recovery initiatives to support any students who may be struggling with addiction whilst at University. 
• We've also expanded our Time to Talk? campaign to ensure you know where to access our range of free and confidential services to support you.
• The Student Hub in the Aston Webb Building has recently undergone refurbishment to make it more accessible for you to seek advice from a range of our dedicated teams, including the International Student Team.

You said you'd like to see increased access opportunities and inclusion at UoB. In response to your feedback, we've achieved the following:

• We've committed £1 million each year to improve accessibility on campus, as well as a further £1 million to provide 10 new scholarships for Black British researchers in their pursuit of a PhD.
• As a new University of Sanctuary, we're working to support five students from refugee backgrounds each year with scholarships and living costs.