Welcome to your monthly update from the Students’ Union on all things student voice and representation
December 2025
Welcome to your monthly update from the Students’ Union on all things student voice and representation
December 2025
✨ Communities get together
November saw the first of the Student Communities get together, we learnt what matters to you and we fostered a sense of community for students of all different backgrounds — but thats thanks to you.
We hosted the first International Student Get Together of the year which you loved! 70 people showed up from all different backgrounds and you found that it helped you:
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Meet people from different backgrounds in a welcoming space.
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Make meaningful connections past the classroom.
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Talk to people and getting to know them though playing games and icebreakers.
We’re working towards building a large community built on friendship and deep connections. You’re the key to ensure our community thrives — come along to Events and have your voice heard and make new friendships and connections.
🎉 Student Group Spotlight
We’re seeing more of you continuing to sign up to Student Groups which is great! on average student groups have grown by 15 more members than this time last year.
Your student group is growing fast. The student groups with the most members are:
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Medical Society (316)
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Islamic Society (242)
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Vet Society (205)
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Surgical Society (166)
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Video game Society (156)
Thats something to celebrate — It’s amazing to see you all building those lasting connections with people!
👂 Use your voice — we’re listening
A big shoutout to everyone who’s already jumped onto the Student Voice Platform , if you haven’t yet don’t stress, you can sign up anytime and give us your feedback.
As you’ve settled in, there were 144 new posts. You’ve raised:
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78 Issues
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27 Praises
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23 Questions
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16 Ideas
There’s a Students’ Union board on the platform too, so you can share feedback directly with us.
We’re also seeing more of you continuing to sign up Student Groups which is great! on average student groups have grown by 15 more members than this time last year — its amazing to see you all have fun and build connections within student groups!
🎙️ Stories you’ve shared with us
Settling into University can be tough but it’s also exciting — and you’ve been open in sharing what it’s actually been like.
Our Student Researchers spoke with you about how you’re settling in and what your hopes for the future are. Your stories are helping us see what matters most: feeling heard, seen and valued.
“Studying with my peers has helped me make connections, but i have to leave campus after class as a commuting student.”
– A first-year student shared their experience of taking their first exams at university. They were able to study alongside their peers, pointing out the nice community feel by working with others with the same interests, helping them connect with others. As a commuter, they expressed its hard to make deeper connections and attend social events when they have to leave campus after lectures.
“I wish deadlines were more spread out.”
– A third-year student highlighted the stressful experience of starting the year off with tight deadlines. They expressed a wanting for assignments to be more spread out so they could focus on them more individually. The clustered deadlines have left them struggling to focus on their dissertation, leaving them stressed. They do say however, that handing in their assignments makes them feel accomplished.
“The transition from first to second year teaching has been a lot.”
– A second-year student highlighted that transitioning from first to second year teaching has left them feeling less supported with their studies. They say the experience is good overall — It was just the expectation of more independent learning when they were supported last year was not what they were expecting.
“I enjoy the practical nature of my course, but I wish there were more opportunities”
– A second-year year student expressed that they enjoyed how hands on their course was and using all the facilities on the course was super beneficial to their learning. However they expressed that because their course is very hands on, they have longer breaks over winter and summer as they don’t have exams. They wished this time could be used for some more hands on experience.
Thank you for sharing your experiences, we’re sure many of you will find parts of your own story in theirs.
💡 How you’re using our Advice Service
When things get tricky, our Advice Service is here to help. It’s free, confidential, and independent — and it’s open to every student, no matter what you’re studying or where you’re based.
In November, most of you who reached out came from:
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Nursing & Midwifery (18.1%)
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Medicine & Dentistry (16.9%)
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Pharmacy & Biomedical Sciences (10.7%)
The main reasons you came to us were:
Lots of students also asked about attendance, placements, funding, housing and course changes — the everyday things that can really add up.
The message is simple: you don’t have to deal with it alone.
Find out more about our Advice Service
👥 A word from your SU Reps
Your SU Reps have been out across campuses, listening to how you’re finding the start of the year — what’s going well and what could be better.
Chak attended some of the events and get-togethers hosted last month and was excited about the connections students had made saying its important as its more than just combatting loneliness, building these connections are the foundations of our new communities organising models — “Bringing students together as a collective to build power and create positive change.”
📣 We want to hear from you.
Find yourself fitting into one or more of these groups? Tell us about your experience for a chance to win £100!
Student Parent Experiences
Postgraduate Experiences
Mature Student Experiences
International Student Experiences
Feedback on Health and Social Related Placement Experiences
(Everyone who takes part on this will be entered into a cash prize draw to win £100, with two additional £50 runner-up prizes. This will be drawn after 10th December and the winners will be contacted by email. You have until Dec 10th to complete it)