We're listening

Student voice

We're committed to giving students the opportunity to provide feedback to improve the student experience at Birmingham City University. Working in conjunction with BCUSU, we aim to ensure your voice is heard.

There are a number of ways students can have their voices heard at BCU. Many of these are run and organised by your Students' Union, BCUSU.

Representation

From your BCUSU Executive team to School Reps and Course Reps, student reps act as a link between our staff and students.

Course feedback

Lead Reps and Course Reps collect student feedback and bring it to staff in meetings and forums, ensuring students' voices are heard and acted on.

Student surveys

Module evaluations, National Student Survey, Postgraduate Survey and pulse checks all help us understand what’s important to you.

You said, we did

All forms of student feedback help us to improve and develop the student experience at BCU. Here are some of the actions we’ve taken based on student feedback.

YOU SAID: The food on campus is too expensive.

WE DID: We’ve reduced the cost of food on campus by 40% and hot drinks by 25%.

YOU SAID: It’s sometimes hard to get hold of staff on email or Teams.

WE DID: Our staff are now on campus more, helping you to get the support when you need it.

YOU SAID: You’re not sure where to go for general queries on campus.

WE DID: We launched the new Student Support Centre at City Centre and City South Campuses as your one-stop shop for student queries.

YOU SAID: You wanted more flexibility in how you pay tuition fees

WE DID: We’ve introduced a new flexible payment plan, allowing you to make smaller, more frequent payments to suit you.

YOU SAID: Too many lectures are held online.

WE DID: All timetabled teaching for this year will be delivered on campus, unless it’s part of an online or blended-delivery course.

YOU SAID: You wanted to catch up on lectures if you missed something.

WE DID: Lectures and seminars can now be recorded and shared so that you don’t miss any vital teaching.

YOU SAID: Timetables are published too close to when teaching starts.

WE DID: We published timetables earlier than ever this year, and for the whole academic year to help you plan around your studies.

YOU SAID: Six hours isn’t enough time for laptop loans.

WE DID: We’ve increased laptop loans from six hours to 24 hours.

YOU SAID: You wanted more engaging teaching.

WE DID: We’ve invested in new skills and simulations classrooms to give you hands on, real-life experiences.

YOU SAID: Dissertation printing wastes too much time and money.

WE DID: We’ve abolished dissertation printing requirements across our courses.

YOU SAID: There should be a dedicated working space for research students.

WE DID: We’ve opened our Research Hubs to provide hot desks, kitchens and meeting spaces.

YOU SAID: There weren’t enough study spaces in the libraries

WE DID: We’ve worked over the summer to add over 80 extra spaces in Curzon Library.

YOU SAID: There needs to be different types of study spaces on campus.

WE DID: We’ve created more individual and group study spaces in Curzon and Mary Seacole libraries.

YOU SAID: You needed access to more resources in our libraries.

WE DID: We’ve added over 1,800 print books and over 4,100 e-books to our collection.

YOU SAID: You wanted paid work experience that fits around your studies.

WE DID: We’ve developed fully-funded summer micro-placements, where you can earn a national living wage and gain vital work experience.

YOU SAID: The power sockets in the libraries hardly work.

WE DID: We’ve repaired any faulty power sockets and now monitor them regularly to ensure they’re working.

YOU SAID: You wanted better access to the industry software needed for your course.

WE DID: We are currently rolling out the Apporto remote desktop app, so you can access your software when you need it.

YOU SAID: You wanted access to PCs in the Mary Seacole Library silent study space.

WE DID: We’ve added two bookable PCs to the space.

YOU SAID: You wanted more help in finding resources in Curzon Library.

WE DID: We now have library staff available on every floor, ready to help you when you need it.

YOU SAID: The library is too noisy to study in.

WE DID: We have new silent spaces, which are being monitored to help you study in peace.

YOU SAID: You wanted it to be easier to find information and support with employability on campus.

WE DID: We launched new Careers and Student Opportunities Hubs on each campus to help you with your career prospects.

YOU SAID: You wanted more opportunities to explore your career options and make a difference.

WE DID: We launched the Future Founders Talent Programme in partnership with the University of Birmingham, to foster collaboration, innovation and tackle society’s most pressing challenges.

YOU SAID: You wanted high quality, low cost food across all BCU campuses.

WE DID: We refurbished our cafe at STEAMhouse, offering a range of hot food options.

YOU SAID: You wanted access to specific software for your course on all PCs and laptops on campus.

WE DID: We've made course specific software is more available on open access PCs and lapsafe laptops.