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 kiera.obrien, 26 January, 2024

Writing courses can be more enriching for international students than you think

A teacher writes English phrases on a whiteboard

For many international students, English writing courses are a requirement. While such courses can help them polish their definite articles, they can do so much more. Umasankar Patra suggests harnessing the diversity in your classroom

Reading time

4minutes

By kiera.obrien, 23 January, 2024

How to keep LGBTQ+ students safe when studying abroad

What can universities do to help their LGBTQ+ students study abroad and travel the world, without compromising their safety? Raquel Recuero provides advice

Reading time

3minutes

By Eliza.Compton, 22 January, 2024

Giving graduation a 21st-century makeover

Graduations can be stuffy affairs, writes James Derounian. He suggests that with technological wizardry, student voice and a little awe, universities could add sparkle to the pomp and ritual

Reading time

4minutes

By Eliza.Compton, 11 January, 2024

How to keep first-generation students engaged throughout the academic year

Engagement opportunities don’t end with orientation or even the first year of study. Here, Araceli Martinez and Athina Cuevas explain how to build a programme that helps students develop confidence and leadership skills and support the next cohort

Reading time

4minutes

By kiera.obrien, 2 January, 2024

What my students have taught me about being a teacher

A professor laughs with a student over a laptop

Approach teaching as a collaboration between you and your students. Veselin Jungic looks back on what he’s learned

Reading time

3minutes

By kiera.obrien, 5 December, 2023

Four key hurdles international students face – and what to do about them

A range of international flags, shot from below

How can we make international students’ academic journey a positive one? Katherine Mansfield suggests ways to alleviate their social, academic and language challenges

Reading time

4minutes

By Eliza.Compton, 5 December, 2023

Designing 24/7 hubs for students

Students sitting together against a wall

What does it mean to create student-centric support? Here, Kieron Broadhead outlines the process and challenges in re-imagining a 24-hour student administration system

Reading time

4minutes

By kiera.obrien, 30 November, 2023

Ease the transition for international students with a holistic peer-mentoring programme

Two women walk away from the camera, their arms around each other's shoulders

Enlist peer mentors to help make international students’ transition on to your campus a smooth one. Naia Robinson shows how

Reading time

3minutes

By kiera.obrien, 27 November, 2023

Let’s make the international student experience as valuable as the degree

Given the unique challenges international students face, how can universities create an inclusive and supportive community? Educators share suggestions for helping international students thrive

Reading time

3minutes

By Eliza.Compton, 24 November, 2023

Resilience and empowerment: reframing the narrative for first-gen students

First-generation students bring resilience and determination to their college journey. Based on her own experience, Lisa M. Lee explains how universities can support students from a place of strength rather than deficit

Reading time

4minutes

University student life