Department for Innovation, Universities and Skills
 Printable version
|
 E-mail this to a friend
|
Student juries deliver their verdict
Career and educational development, accommodation and value for money were some of the key issues raised by university under and postgraduates during five student juries, the results of which are published today.
Students studying across the country were asked to give their verdict on university life by Minister for Students Baroness Delyth Morgan to help inform the work of the new National Student Forum, set up by the Department for Innovation, Universities and Skills in January to give students a voice in Government.
The juries' key findings which the Forum will be asked to consider include:
* A greater emphasis by universities on careers and postgraduate opportunities, including a more systematic approach to identifying and supporting work placements;
* The need for better information, advice and guidance for students to assist them in making the transition between further and higher education;
* Simplifying the application process for student financial support;
* Improving access to quality, affordable accommodation on or around university and college campuses.
Minister for Students Baroness Delyth Morgan, said:
"Higher education policy needs to reflect the reality for today's students. We need to hear students' views so that we can help improve the university experience for them and future learners.
"The juries have provided a vital student perspective in the development, delivery and impact of Government policy, helping shape the debate around future policy and advising Ministers on what students can reasonably expect from the time and money they invest in their university studies.
"The juries and the National Student Forum aim to build on the continuing work we are doing to enhance the university experience for all and support the routes that we already have in place for students to let us know what they think."
Student juries were held to draw out the experiences of students who might not normally have their voices heard in Government and to give them direct access to experts and policy-makers.
The views expressed by the student juries have been provided to the members of the new National Student Forum which is a real voice for students in Government. It will produce an annual report, to which Ministers have committed to respond.
Notes to editors:
1. The student juries report, including the full set of findings, is available at http://www.dius.gov.uk/policy/highereducation.html
2. For more information about the Student Listening Programme, visit http://www.dius.gov.uk/press/18-10-07.html
3. Five Student Juries were held in London, Manchester, Bristol and Sheffield. The juries were deliberately composed of "ordinary" students (i.e. not sabbatical officers or student governors) so as to facilitate a genuine debate about students' experiences and expectations.
4. The Government's Student Listening Campaign, of which the student juries and National Student Forum form a major part, is being actively supported by student representative organisations - National Union of Students; National Postgraduate Committee; Mature Students' Union; Skill: national bureau for students with disabilities; Open University Students' Association and the British Council - and is intended to compliment, not overshadow, the work that the Government already does with these organisations.
