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, 1 May, 2025

Ask students what mental health support they need

Coco the Therapy dog in the Templeman Library on University of Kentcampus

A student-led advisory board can help universities understand what services students will use and how they prefer to engage with support

Reading time

4minutes

By miranda.prynne, 30 April, 2025

Principles and practicalities of partnership working with students

For effective co-creation with students, university leaders need to move beyond surveys and get them involved in decision-making. The Russell Group institutions together set out best practice steps for doing this

By kiera.obrien, 29 April, 2025

Build empathy with your students – and grow as an academic

A teacher guides students through an activity

Find out simple ways to develop empathy in your interactions with students, and the effect it can have on your teaching as a whole

Reading time

5minutes

By kiera.obrien, 24 April, 2025

Make your university a home away from home

International students need a strong support system to settle them into their new environment. Find out how to provide one with these tips

Reading time

5minutes

By kiera.obrien, 22 April, 2025

The path towards a tobacco-free campus

For the health of students and staff and the good of the planet, a tobacco-free campus is the only option for a modern university. Özen Aşut shares how the efforts of her students prompted real change in northern Cyprus

By kiera.obrien, 9 April, 2025

What will it take to find a real solution for the student mental health crisis?

A young woman puts her hand to her temple at her laptop

Fixing the student mental health crisis will require systemic change, not just individual coping strategies. Here’s how to take action and foster a culture that puts well-being before academic achievement

Reading time

5minutes

By Laura.Duckett, 4 April, 2025

Not all students want to fit in, but every student wants to matter

Students holding hands around a glowing orb

Making students feel they matter can dramatically improve lecture attendance. Here are ways to do it

Reading time

5minutes

By Laura.Duckett, 3 April, 2025

Creating a culture of belonging with inclusive pedagogy

Students in a group walking together on campus

Building cultural humility and meaningful relationships with students are two of several strategies to foster belonging in students from minoritised backgrounds

Reading time

4minutes

By kiera.obrien, 31 March, 2025

How to scale up well-being and support services

A young woman talks to a therapist earnestly

With demand for student support services skyrocketing since the pandemic, how can universities address this need? Discover five ways to scale up

Reading time

4minutes

By Eliza.Compton, 22 March, 2025

Bridging the gap between academia and local communities

Institutions that integrate public engagement into their core mission will contribute to stronger, more connected communities. Here are lessons from running an on-campus science bazaar

Reading time

3minutes

University student life