At a House of Commons reception to formally launch the final report of the UPP Foundation’s Student Futures Commission, 20 leading universities, including Northumbria University 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, Northumbria 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 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 Northumbria University 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 Northumbria University 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 Northumbria University has made this pledge and expect many more universities to do so in the months ahead.”

Professor Graham Wynn, Pro-Vice Chancellor (Education) at Northumbria University, added:

“We are committed to providing our students with all of the support they need to excel during their time Northumbria - right from the time they accept their offer to study with us, through their studies, all the way to helping them with the next stage of their career or study. We are delighted to make the Student Futures Manifesto pledge and look forward to working with our students on the next stages in its development.”