The Student Experience in Higher Education Conference 2023

The Covid-19 pandemic took a large toll on the experience of students in higher education. The Student Academic Experience Survey 2021 found that students were increasingly struggling with mental health difficulties and ratings on the value for money of courses were the worst on record. Over the past year, there has been some improvement to these statistics as student life began to return to normal, yet there remains space for further progress.

Recent policies and initiatives such as the 2023 Teaching Excellence Framework, the Fair Admissions Code of Practice 2022, and the Student Mind’s University Mental Health Charter all work to improve the overall student experience of university. The higher education sector can continue this ongoing positive work by coming together to share best practice and key insights into creating the best possible university experience for students and respond to their changing needs and priorities.

• In 2022, 50% of students surveyed felt they had financial difficulties and more than 75% felt concerned that the rising cost of living was affecting how well they did in their studies (Office for National Statistics)
• The Student Academic Experience Survey 2022 found that only 32% of students felt they received good or very good value for money from their course
• In a 2022 survey, Student Minds found that 1 in 5 students disagreed with the statement “My university is taking steps to improve student mental health”
• Government statistics found that in 2020, full-time students were vastly more likely to be victims of sexual assault or domestic violence than any other group in society

Join us at The Student Experience in Higher Education Conference 2023 to hear the latest updates on enhancing the student experience of higher education from leading experts in the sector. Engage with best practice case studies addressing key issues such as gaining and using feedback from students, supporting student mental health and wellbeing, and improving employment prospects. You will also have the opportunity to network with senior colleagues from across the higher education sector to share common challenges and discuss innovative solutions to strengthen the student experience.

Why Attend:

✓ High-level keynotes on the latest initiatives and policies to improve student experience from leading experts and policymakers
✓ Case studies showcasing best practice in developing strategies to better support students and create a more inclusive and positive university culture
✓ A wide range of topics including, tackling sexual harassment and misconduct, enhancing university admission processes, and supporting international students
✓ Networking with senior colleagues from across the higher education sector
✓ (Gain 8 hours of CPD points towards your yearly quota)

NEW AND EXCLUSIVE TO YOUR CONFERENCE PACKAGE – GE Insights:

This year’s conference package includes 12-months FREE access to GE Insights, our cross-sector learning resource of case study focused videos, articles, lived experiences and more (RRP £199). Gain unlimited access to our online platform when you purchase your conference ticket.

Key benefits include:

 ✓100s of Exclusive Case Studies – fingertip access to videos and articles covering all key sectors including Higher Education, and ALL CPD certified

 ✓Key Sessions from All Our Conferences – gain valuable insights from our past, present, and future events (160+ pa)

 ✓Articles and Interviews – learn from our network of expert speakers and contributors explore further the key discussions from the conferences

 ✓Additional CPD Hours – automatically earn more for everything you watch, read, and hear

 ✓Your Own CPD Dashboard – charts your progress, allows you to add notes, download your activities, and save/print an official CPD certificate

 ✓Personalised Homepage – only see the relevant content you need to save time

 ✓30+ New Uploads Each Month – we’re adding new content every week to ensure you stay engaged and informed all year round.

For more information or to make a booking please call 0330 058 4285

• 09.00

  Online Registration

• 09.50

  Chair’s Opening Remarks 

  Kathleen Quinlan, Professor in Higher Education and Director of the Centre for the Study of Higher Education, University of Kent (CONFIRMED)

• 10.00

  Keynote: Practical Measure and Guidance to Enable Student Success in Universities

  • Context and scene setting: exploring the current updates and trends in student success
  • Insights into thematic areas of focus in priority areas to provide frameworks for success
  • Sharing guiding principles for practice for effective implementation and achievement
  • Supporting the sector through enhancing understanding, policy and best practice

  Stuart Norton, Senior Consultant in Education, Advance HE (CONFIRMED)

• 10.20

  Keynote: Enhancing the Admission Process to Better Support Students During Their Application

  • Recommendations for improving fairness and transparency in the admissions process to better support students
  • Engaging with applicants to identify their best interests and help them make well-informed decisions
  • Developing accessible admissions policies that can be easily understood by applicants and their advisors in changing circumstances
  • Transitioning away from the use of ‘conditional’ unconditional offers to avoid applying undue pressure on applicants
  • Minimising barriers for applicants to address inequalities and widen participation: tips for success

  Dr Kate Wicklow, Policy Director, Guild HE (CONFIRMED)

• 10.40

  Questions and Answers

• 11.00

  Comfort Break

• 11.15

  Case Study: Embedding Student Voice to Enhance Student Experience

  • Partnering with students to set strategic priorities and foster collaborative working
  • Embedding student voice within university governance and management structures
  • Establishing clear roles, responsibilities and feedback mechanisms to facilitate student representation
  • Developing co-creative approaches to make improvements to the student experience

  Professor Cassie Wilson, Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Student Experience), University of Bath (CONFIRMED)

  Amber Snary, Students’ Union Education Officer, University of Bath (CONFIRMED)

• 11.35

  Case Study: Creating an Inclusive University Culture to Improve Experiences for Students from Marginalised Groups  

  • Identifying and addressing structural barriers negatively affecting academic outcomes for students from marginalised groups
  • Creating an EDI Strategic Action Plan to deliver a whole-university approach towards fostering an inclusive university culture
  • Upskilling staff in providing robust anti-racism support and dealing with discriminatory behaviour
  • Establishing safe spaces for feedback and dialogue to better understand and respond to the needs of students from marginalised groups

  Lisa Brooks-Lewis, Social Impact and Inclusion Manager, Loughborough University (CONFIRMED)

   

• 11.55

  Questions and Answers

• 12.15

  Breakout Networking: Overcoming Obstacles to Improve Student Experiences and Deliver Wrap-Around Support

  This session will provide you with the opportunity to discuss the main challenges you face in enhancing student experiences, allowing you to share your ideas and learn from peers across the sector.

• 12.45

  Lunch Break

• 13.25

  Keynote: Creating a Safe Culture for Students: Tackling Sexual Misconduct and Harassment in Higher Education

  • Tools and resources for developing a practical approach to tackling sexual misconduct and harassment at university
  • Tips on improving investigations and hearings regarding student complaints of sexual misconduct
  • Upskilling staff to effectively support students who come forward as victims of sexual misconduct or harassment

  Professor Melissa Hamilton, Professor of Law and Criminal Justice, University of Surrey (CONFIRMED)

• 13.45

  Case Study: How Can We Remove Barriers, and Motivate Students to Normalise Help-Seeking?

  • Providing access to 24/7 personal, routine formative feedback to support students’ continuation, attainment and achievement
  • Additional support to meet the needs of those who have the most difficulty transitioning into university, and have to do a lot of writing within their course
  • Breaking down barriers to academic writing, and enabling students to develop their academic voice and to develop high-quality assessments
  • Wider student behaviour research being used to inform key pedagogical changes to ensure students seek timely help in order to achieve success
  • Effective working with global leaders in online study success solutions Studiosity

  Dr David Pike, Head of Digital Learning Systems in the Academy for Learning and Teaching Excellence, University of Bedfordshire (CONFIRMED)

  Debby Hsieh, Business Development Lead, Studiosity (CONFIRMED)

• 14.15

  Question & Answers 

• 14.35

  Comfort Break

• 14.50

  Case Study: Supporting International Students to Enhance Their Experience of University in the UK

  • Developing a support network and specialist team to provide international students with comprehensive support throughout their university life
  • Tips on offering students assistance on visa and immigration matters
  • Creating a welcome package of support to aid students in settling in once they arrive in the county
  • Guidance on supporting international students to find suitable accommodation within the UK
  • Providing international students with career advice to support them in their applications for work after graduation

  Krassimira Teneva, Head of International Experience, Sheffield Hallam University (CONFIRMED)

   

• 15.10

  Case Study: Preparing Students for Career Success: Taking a Whole-University Approach

  • Outlining the importance of preparing students to be successful and why this requires an institution-wide approach
  • Understanding the role of Career Services to prepare students and ensure they gain the support they need
  • Working with external organisations to help prepare students to be successful
  • Providing work experience, placement opportunities and other forms of employer engagement to help students gain insights into industries
  • Using data to help strengthen the career preparation of students

  Marc Lintern, Director of Student Employability and Employment, University of Portsmouth (CONFIRMED)

• 15.30

  Questions and Answers

• 15.50

  Chair’s Closing Remarks 

  *programme subject to change without notice

Who Should Attend?

Delegates who will have an interest in this event will be people who work in the higher education sector.

This Conference is open to Public, Private and Third Sectors

For more information or to make a booking please call 0330 058 4285

We are now taking bookings for our wide range of sponsorship and exhibition packages; we also offer bespoke packages tailored for your organisation.

Why Sponsor and Exhibit at this event:

✓ Network with key decision makers
✓ Meet your target audience in the Sector
✓ Listen and Learn from leading industry experts across the Sector
✓ Opportunity to demonstrate your products or services
✓ Speak alongside industry leading experts
✓ Work with your dedicated account manager to generate the maximum amount of leads

Exhibition and Sponsorship Packages:

Strategic Headline Sponsor:

• 20-minute speaking slot followed by Q&A
• 3x2m Exhibition Space (In the Refreshments and Catering room)
• Pre show marketing email to all registered delegates
• Post show inclusion on presentation email
• Branding on Website and Event Guide (Logo and 100 Word Profile)
• A4 Insert or A4 Chair Drop
• 5 Delegate Conference Passes
• 1 Speaker Pass

Key Supporter Package:

• 20-minute speaking slot followed by Q&A
• Branding on Website and Event Guide (Logo and 100 Word Profile)
• A4 Insert or Chair Drop
• 1 Speaker Pass
• 2 Delegate Conference Passes

Exhibition Stand:

• 3x2m Exhibition Space (In the Refreshments and Catering room)
• Power, Wifi, Table and 2 Chairs (If required)
• Branding on Website and Event Guide (Logo and 100 Word Profile)
• 2 Delegate Conference Passes
• 1 Stand Manager Pass

Insert or Chair Drop:

• 1 Delegate Conference Pass
• A4 insert into delegate pack or A4 Chair Drop

For more information or to discuss your requirements, please contact the team on 0330 0584 285, or sponsorship@governmentevents.co.uk or complete our enquiry form and we will contact you.

• Public Sector Rate: £449.00+VAT
• Voluntary Sector Rate: £379.00+VAT
• Private Sector Rate: £649.00+VAT