Over 20 universities pledge to secure successful student futures

At a House of Commons reception [30 March 2022] to formally launch the final report of the UPP Foundation’s Student Futures Commission, 22 leading universities have pledged to develop a Student Futures Manifesto – joint action between a university and its students to tackle the problems caused by the pandemic.

Developing a Student Futures Manifesto is the key recommendation from the Commission. The Manifestos will be a blueprint for how universities and students work together to improve the student experience.

As part of the Manifestos, universities will co-produce and publish a series of actions within the six themes the final report of the Student Futures Commission identified for successful student futures: 

1. Support for students before they reach university
2. An induction into university life for each year of study
3. Support for mental health and wellbeing
4. A clear outline of the teaching students will receive and the necessary tools to access it
5. Activities inside and outside the curriculum that build skills, networks and communities
6. A clear pathway towards graduate outcomes

The Manifesto will be a public statement of the commitments a university is making, and showcase the positive initiatives being undertaken. It will be co-produced with students and led by a member of the university’s senior leadership who reports directly to the Vice-Chancellor.

Commenting on the 22 universities which have already made the pledge, Chair of the UPP Foundation Student Futures Commission, Mary Curnock Cook CBE said:

“A Student Futures Manifesto, co-created and co-owned by students and their university, will be a powerful expression of intent about what students need to support successful lives and careers. They will help to rebuild the full student experience through a partnership between universities and their students. It is a testament to the HE sector’s commitment to successful student futures that 22 universities have already taken on this challenge.”

Richard Brabner, Director of the UPP Foundation – the charity which established the Commission said:

“The UPP Foundation established the Student Futures Commission to support the sector in light of the disruption everyone has faced during the pandemic. We wanted the Commission to be supportive, constructive and challenging. Student Futures Manifestos are exactly this – a positive call to action to put student needs first.

We are delighted 22 universities have made this pledge and expect many more universities to do so in the months ahead.”

List of universities to make the Student Futures Manifesto pledge

1. Buckinghamshire New University
2. Canterbury Christ Church University
3. De Montfort University
4. Edge Hill University
5. University of Essex
6. University of East London
7. University of Hertfordshire
8. University of Huddersfield
9. University of Hull
10. Lancaster University
11. University of Lincoln
12. Liverpool John Moores University
13. London South Bank University
14. Manchester Metropolitan University
15. Northumbria University
16. Newman University, Birmingham
17. Royal Holloway, University of London
18. University of Salford
19. Sheffield Hallam University
20. University of the West of England Bristol
21. University of West London
22. University of Worcester