University student life

How to support students beyond the classroom, in all facets of university life. Here you'll find resources to direct student services, foster well-being, support a rich extracurricular offering and build inclusive campus communities and student societies.

By Eliza.Compton , 24 April, 2026

‘AI should support student services, not impersonate them’

Woman talking into smartphone, AI as student support

Are universities ready for GenAI in student support? When chatbots seem to offer a scalable, cost-effective way to meet rising demand for student support, universities need to consider how to shape their use without outsourcing care or increasing risk

By kiera.obrien , 14 April, 2026

Let’s build a higher education system that works for first-generation students

Higher education expects first-gen students to conform to a rigid structure that doesn’t suit their lives. Here’s how to offer flexibility instead

Reading time

4minutes

By Laura.Duckett , 10 April, 2026

Help students disconnect from their tech

A university student painting a blank canvas

How a ‘digital fast’ can give students time and mental clarity – and how to support them through the process

Reading time

5minutes

By kiera.obrien , 8 April, 2026

Small tweaks to better support part-time students

A mother works at a laptop while entertaining a small child

Part-time learners negotiate expectations across family, work and study. Here’s how universities can design the system to support them

Reading time

4minutes

By Laura.Duckett , 1 April, 2026

Six ways UK universities can better support international postgraduate students

A group of students outside a campus building

International postgraduate students navigate complex transitions. To support them, universities need to offer more inclusive support built into core systems, says Perpetual Eze-Idehen

Reading time

5minutes

By kiera.obrien , 25 March, 2026

Build student and community partnerships for safer campuses

Students laugh together in front of a blue wall

Employ the local community and nearby institutions to address student safety issues in a collaborative way. Here’s how

Reading time

5minutes

By Laura.Duckett , 25 March, 2026

How to build a social transcript that helps students stand out to employers

A verified ‘social transcript’ can turn co-curricular activity into a credible record that boosts employability. Here’s how one university designed a points-based, evidence-driven system to capture students’ real-world skills

Reading time

4minutes

By kiera.obrien , 20 March, 2026

Three ways to build an engaged student community from the ground up

Here’s how to bring students together to create a community on campus and encourage their active participation in university life from governance to volunteering

Reading time

6minutes

By Laura.Duckett , 16 March, 2026

Welcome new university students with inclusive events

A group of smiling university students outside a campus building

Five ways to make welcome activities more inclusive, helping students engage at their own pace, build connections and feel a sense of belonging from the start

Reading time

4minutes

By miranda.prynne , 23 February, 2026

Duty of care: making university safe for all

Safeguarding advice to help universities look after students and staff, both on campus and online

University student life