The Wolverhampton Student Experience Strategy 2015-2017
1 SUMMARY
SUMMARY 2
Summary Each member of the University contributes to the experience throughout the student lifecycle. We need the coordinated efforts of the whole University community to embrace the Wolverhampton Student Experience Strategy as a central part of the University of Opportunity initiative. A positive student experience is fundamental to the success of our students – wherever in the world they may be – and therefore to the success of the University. A positive experience enhances our reputation, recruitment, and the retention and achievement of our students. Members of the University community are passionate about providing our students with an experience which exceeds their expectations, is transformational and personalised to meet their particular needs.
3 CURRENT CHALLENGES AND OPPORTUNITIES
Context A high quality student experience which is clearly identifiable as the Wolverhampton Student Experience will enable us to differentiate ourselves, and so allow us to compete effectively regionally, nationally and internationally. Staff and students will reflect the University’s core values in the way they behave. They will behave ethically, respectfully, be transparent in their actions, be inclusive and fair, will challenge positively, be collaborative and professional and be confident as members of the University.
CONTEXT 4
5 VISION
Vision We want to deliver the best possible experience for all our student constituencies – including transformative opportunities, personalised support and vocational relevance encapsulated in a distinctive Wolverhampton Student Experience. Our vision is to promote social mobility and improve the individual life chances of the people within the communities we operate in.
Mission Our mission is to unlock the talent and ability within all individual students, enabling them to realise their full potential.
MISSION 6
7 GOALS
Goals The goals of the Wolverhampton Student Experience Strategy are clustered around key stages of the student lifecycle. All our goals are supported by the core values of the University. A number of individual strategies have been developed underpinning and contributing to the Wolverhampton Student Experience. Specific goals have been identified in the following key areas of the student lifecycle.
The student journey
GOALS 8
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9 GOALS
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Opportunities for learning, teaching, assessment and the study environment
Opportunities for learning, teaching, assessment and the study environment
Opportunities for learning, teaching, assessment and the study environment
Aspiration and progression
Opportunity for all
Informative
We will develop seamless progression routes and raise aspirations and skills levels within the regions where we operate through direct intervention and partnership (schools and colleges engagement, partnership, widening participation strategies and access offer).
We are committed to finding an appropriate educational programme for all our applicants, whether at the University or with one of our educational partners.
Enquirers and applicants will be able to access valid, reliable and useful information about the University, its partners, its courses and the student experience in a timely manner.
GOALS 10
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Opportunities for learning, teaching, assessment and the study environment
Application processes
Developing student expectations
Pre-enrolment preparation
Our application processes will be transparent and timely.
Applicants will have opportunities to interact with the University (or its partners, if relevant) to understand the learning experiences they will engage with when they start their studies. We will help students recognise the necessary commitment of both themselves and the University in the learning journey, the environment and culture of the University of Wolverhampton, and will be prepared for their studies.
All students will receive guidance and support to prepare them for their studies with the University and student life at Wolverhampton (or its partners, if relevant).
11 GOALS
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Student induction and transition
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Opportunities for learning, teaching, assessment and the study environment
Enrolment and access to resources
Initial induction
All students will be able to enrol with ease and will have full access to all relevant University facilities, systems and resources from the first day of their course.
An interactive induction will allow students to familiarise themselves with the University and their course requirements, will foster social relationships and reinforce the values of the University.
GOALS 12
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Opportunities for learning, teaching, assessment and the study environment
Diagnostics and targeted support
On-going induction
All students will undertake appropriate diagnostic testing at the start of their studies so they can receive directed support to allow them to succeed in their studies and understand good academic practice.
Pre-planned, relevant and timely information, provision and orientation will continue throughout the student journey.
13 GOALS
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Opportunities for learning, teaching, assessment and the study environment
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Opportunities for learning, teaching, assessment and the study environment
Enhancing learning, teaching and assessment
Skills and competencies
The learning environment will engage students, be supportive, inclusive and challenging, research and practice informed, with technology that enhances the learning process.
Students will be given opportunities to develop subject knowledge, skills and competencies to succeed in their studies and future careers.
GOALS 14
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Opportunities for learning, teaching, assessment and the study environment
On campus and virtual learning environment
Enterprise and employability
We will provide students with an environment which stimulates learning, embraces technology, and allows students access anytime and anywhere.
Employability, enterprise and career development will be supported within and beyond the curriculum to ensure students have clear career goals which they can realise.
15 GOALS
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Opportunities for learning, teaching, assessment and the study environment
Learning support
Students will be supported in identifying and accessing skills for learning support opportunities to meet their individual needs.
GOALS 16
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Opportunities for learning, teaching, assessment and the study environment
Student engagement in learning
Professional teaching and support
Students will fully engage and participate to contribute to the collective learning experience. The learning process and environment will be subject to on-going evaluation and feedback of enrichment to students.
Academic staff will be able to demonstrate excellence in internationally recognised research and/or teaching and learning innovation, and/or business/ professional engagement. All staff supporting the learning process will have professional recognition from the HEA and be appropriately qualified and up-todate in their field.
17 GOALS
Opportunities and support beyond the classroom fo
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Opportunities for learning, teaching, assessment and the study environment
Opportunities for learning, teaching, assessment and the study environment
Students’ Union
Student engagement
Supporting wellbeing
Every student will have the opportunity to be a member of the Students’ Union upon enrolment, with full access to its services and the opportunity to engage in activities that seek to capture the student voice, enhance the student experience and promote student success.
Students will be engaged in the enhancement of student opportunities at the University.
Support for students will be clearly signposted and readily available to meet the individual needs of students.
Opportunities for learning, teaching, assessment and the study environment
GOALS 18
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Community engagement
Citizenship
International opportunities
Students will have opportunities to engage with their communities and contribute to the wellbeing of their region.
We will support students’ personal development in becoming responsible citizens who contribute to their economy and society.
Students will have opportunities to engage in foreign language acquisition, study and/ or work abroad, and to socialise as an international student body.
19 GOALS
Study success
Progression
Achievement
Enterprise and employability
Students will be supported to progress through their studies to completion in line with expectations.
Students will be supported to achieve at the highest possible level for the award they complete.
Students will be provided with access to employability and enterprise opportunities on graduation.
GOALS 20
Opportunities after graduation fo
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Opportunities for learning, teaching, assessment and the study environment
Continuing Professional Development
The University of Wolverhampton
Graduates will be encouraged to undertake continuing professional development and further study.
Graduates will have opportunities to continue to be part of the University of Wolverhampton community.
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A commitment to the University of Wolverhampton
Graduates will be encouraged to commit to support the University.
21 RESOURCE IMPLICATIONS
Resource implications The key priority for the investment fund should be the Wolverhampton Student Experience Strategy.
RESOURCE IMPLICATIONS 22
23 MONITORING AND EVALUATION
Monitoring and evaluation The Wolverhampton Student Experience Strategy will be monitored by the appropriate sub-committee of Academic Board.
DEPENDENCIES AND LINKAGES 24
Dependencies and linkages to other strategies Access agreement Alumni and development Business improvement Campus Digital Campus transformation programme Enabling strategies Enterprise and employability Equality and diversity Finance and investment Information International Learning, teaching and assessment People Recruitment and reputation Research Schools and colleges engagement
25 KEY PERFORMANCE INDICATOR
Key Performance Indicator (KPI) to be reported to Board of Governors Improved external student survey scores measured by: National Student Survey, International Student Survey, Postgraduate Research Experience Survey and Postgraduate Taught Experience Survey, as reported by University Student Experience Committee.
MAC2573
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Tel: 0800 953 3222 Visit: www.wlv.ac.uk