Xiaohongshu
One of the most, if not the most, important roles of a Students’ Union is not only to listen students, but to demonstrate that we hear what you say and are actively working to create change based on your views. As your Education Officer, I’m delighted to publish our Representing your Academic Interests’ report, an extensive analysis of feedback from the National Student Survey and the plan we’ve negotiated with UCL to improve your experience.
Using this data, Students’ Union UCL co-develops recommendations in seven key areas of the student experience with UCL to ensure that students and their voices are central to changes made at UCL.
What we’ve achieved so far
We are already secured great new initiatives in 2026. This academic year, UCL has continued to move forward with its Programme Excellence Project which intends to streamline module selection to ensure equity of support for all students. New lecture capture features (Panopto) have been launched and recording capability is planned for expansion across more teaching rooms. Additionally, an updated Digital Education Baseline, which sets out guidance for Moodle courses has also been published to provide a consistent student experience.
Assessment is also in the spotlight with tools being revised, the launch of a centrally supported January exam period and a pilot of digital exams, and an investigation to assessment diversity – all to ensure that you are assessed using the rights tools, at the right time, and in the right format.
We’ve further seen movement on academic support, organisation, and learning resources. A revised Personal Academic Tutoring Policy which seeks to ensure that no student falls through institutional gaps is being implemented, and new technology-driven approaches to academic and study support are being explored.
Last, but most certainly not least, UCL is undertaking a full review of student voice this year so that work like this continues to be student-led and effective.
We are constantly working to improve your student experience at a local and university wide level. If you have any concerns or ideas for improvement, share them with your rep who can escalate the issue or get in touch with me at [email protected].
Improving your experience in 2026
There is, of course, always room for improvement and this year we have a commitment from UCL to work on these key aspects of your experience:
- Teaching : UCL should work to improve module selection, and especially to the Module Catalogue, exploring the addition of sample recordings and lecture materials to the platform. They should further ensure that programmes contain diverse modules which build a range of different skills.
- Learning Opportunities : UCL should embed the Pillars of Employability framework into programme design to ensure more structured opportunities for skill development.
- Assessment and Feedback : UCL should ensure that all staff return feedback on all pieces of assessed with within the 20 working days policy. They should further provide more opportunities for formative feedback between assessments to support student progress and success.
- Academic Support : UCL should ensure a consistent level of staff support across departments, and compliance with the new Personal Academic Tutoring policy.
- Organisation and Management : UCL to ensure that students are kept consistently up to date with any changes to timetabling, module or curriculum changes that result from UCL’s review of undergraduate and taught postgraduate programmes.
- Learning Resources : UCL to ensure that the revised Digital Education Baseline blended or online learning is implemented universally with key information made accessible and clearly organised.
- Student Voice : UCL to continue to improve feedback processes with Student Partnership Committees to ensure that Academic Reps and the wider student body can see how their feedback is being used.
What’s next
We will continue to work with UCL in 2026 on the implementation of these recommendations to ensure that the student experience at UCL is continuously improving. An update on these, and other student-centred recommendations, will be published in the 2026 release of our Priorities for Education report later in the summer.
Read the full Representing your Academic Interests report below.
Students life needs student leaders to shape every part of the student experience - from clubs, societies, and networks to the Students’ Union itself. Most leadership roles, such as society committees or Student Officer positions, are voluntary and sit alongside your studies – but six roles are full-time, paid Sabbatical Officer positions, where elected students take a year out of study to lead the entire Students’ Union.
If you want to step forward and help shape the future of UCL, find out more here: https://studentsunionucl.org/leadership-race or contact the Elections Team at [email protected]