Survey recommendations on areas for improvement

After extensive qualitative research, Suzanne Rab presents recommendations on how to improve legal education. Each recommendation includes a quote from a surveyed student

1. Provide effective online support

“Replicate what [institution] is doing, especially with [online] library access.”

“I think it's best to make sure everything required is online.”

2. Institutional flexibility in assessment methods

“I think [institution] was very supportive in providing [assignment] extensions. I never used one but it gave me confidence that it is there if needed.”

A series of recommendations, emerging from students’ own responses, are outlined in the box opposite.

If you want to know more about these summary findings, and further research projects in the area, as well as upcoming publications, contact Suzanne Rab (E. srab@serlecourt.co.uk; M. +44(0) 7557 046522).

Professor Suzanne Rab is a barrister at Serle Court Chambers specialising in regulatory and education law. She is Professor of Commercial Law at Brunel University London, a law lecturer at the University of Oxford, and Visiting Professor at Imperial College London. She is an expert panel member of the UK Regulators Network, a member of Council of the Regulatory Policy Institute and a non-executive director of the Legal Aid Agency.

“Answer emails quicker, as I missed many assignments and an [examined assessment] due to being overlooked at one of the worst points of my life.”

3. Support students’ mental health

“Higher education institutions can make it known to students what kind of support is available so that students are aware of the support while they are in difficulty rather than when they are in crisis.”

4. Greater sensitivity to special needs including disabilities and carer responsibilities

“The only thing I feel is a shame is that the [final examinations] were cancelled. I felt there was no need to do that as we had plenty of time to complete them. I was working from home, trying to home school three children, one of whom has special needs and none of whom has English as there first language.”

5. Assistance with tuition fees that targets genuine need and a long-term view of investment in learning and development

“If possible, financial support for those who require it.”

6. Greater preventative measures including planning, response strategies and preparedness in relation to health crises

“The uncertainty experienced by students would be well remedied by having events to look forward to: I think the lack of structure and non-academic events to look forward to has been one of the failures of universities generally.”

7. Consideration of the needs of international students with remotelearning better reflecting disparities caused by time-zones

“Prominent examples [of lows] would be having to return home instead of staying at university accommodation due to governmental regulations.”

8. Greater opportunities for face-to-face contact where permitted by public health regulations

“Have as much face-to-face time as possible and perhaps once a week drop in sessions where students can talk about things that they need help with rather than having to wait for emails.”

9. Greater coordination of centralised and decentralised institutional communications

“The best way universities can support remote study is good communication.” “Communication from 'the top' has been poor. It would have been better for those at the top to have held a meeting earlier on with students in order to set out their views and thereby help to steer the ship in the right direction, including by preventing any misinformation from spreading.”

10. Student engagement in decision-making that affects them

“It is important for HE institutions to regularly check in with students as for many institutions this form of working is new and it is more useful to catch any gaps in their approach early, but it also allows students to feel more in control of their experience as they have a say in next steps.”