University of Huddersfield pledges to secure successful student futures

At a House of Commons reception on 30 March 2022 to formally launch the final report of the UPP Foundation’s Student Futures Commission, 20 leading universities, including the University of Huddersfield 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, the University of Huddersfield 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 the University of Huddersfield 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 University of Huddersfield and the 20 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 University of Huddersfield and the wider HE sector’s commitment to successful student futures that 20 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 the University of Huddersfield has made this pledge and expect many more universities to do so in the months ahead.”

Ruth Stoker, one of the University’s Directors of Teaching and Learning, said, "We are delighted to be one of the universities that have pledged to develop the Student Futures Manifesto. The pandemic has changed the landscape of higher education, but the University of Huddersfield prides itself on our record in supporting our students throughout their journey with us, from before they begin their studies through to graduation and beyond when they move into their future occupations.

“Our commitment to the Manifesto is a clear signal that working with our students to help them shape their futures is very important to us, and we look forward to further developing our initiatives to give all our students an excellent experience and solid foundations for life after graduation.”