The University of Derby developed a Student Experience Framework (SEF) to articulate their approach to an outstanding student experience. They conducted consultations with over 600 staff and 800 students, who provided feedback and themes around interactive learning, alumni involvement, work experience opportunities, and personal tutors. This input informed a draft SEF, which was further refined. The final SEF focuses on developing students' skills, knowledge and employability through themes of discovery, achievement and citizenship. The university has implemented opportunities aligned with the SEF, such as international travel awards. They plan to further embed and monitor the SEF across programs, communicate it to students and staff, and continue implementing and evaluating new schemes.

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REF, TEF, and KEF… introducing the SEF: the University of
Derby’s Student Experience Framework 2017-2020

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Who we are
Fiona Shelton
Head of the Centre of
Excellence in Learning and
Teaching
F.Shelton@derby.ac.uk
@FeeFeeShelts
Russell Lewis
Student Experience
Manager
R.Lewis@derby.ac.uk
@RussellLewis34
Amy Kyte
Student Experience
Officer
A.Kyte@derby.ac.uk
@_AmyClaire

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The University of Derby

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Why did we decide to build a Student Experience Framework?
• The start of the journey – external review of Derby and the
sector in 2015
• Sector research – individual experiences paramount (Kandiko
and Mawer, 2013); falling student perception of value for
money (Neves and Hillman, 2016)
• Aim – cross-institutional articulation of our approach to an
outstanding student experience

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The evolution of the SEF
Autumn 2016
Initial consultation with staff and students - 600 members of staff and 800 students across all of our sites
Method 1 – feedback to specific questions/statements Method 2 - washing line activity

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Emerging themes
“Create interactive learning
lectures for academic subjects
rather than 'sit and listen’”
“Our Alumni are so important to
our current students”
“Enjoy the experience and take the
opportunity that uni is. Don’t just
focus on the academic
opportunities/join groups, try new
things”
“Gain as much work experience as
you can whilst studying”
“The university trips are a great
experience and an excellent way to
enrich your knowledge.”
“Students often feedback that they
experience a more 'personal feel'
here”
“Students appreciate a personal
tutor who is compassionate;
reliable & pro-active.”
“Educational experience trip to
different countries in a range of 1
week - 3 months making it more
inclusive.”
“Developmental challenges force
you to improve”

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Next steps
• The emerging themes were pulled into a draft SEF which was taken to further consultation with staff and
students before being finalised in summer 2017
• But before we reveal it to you…
- On your tables, take 10 minutes to talk about:
• How do you articulate experiences and opportunities available at your University to your students?
• How are these communicated?
• How well do they engage with them?
• How would/do you theme your student experience offer?
- Using the cards, discuss together how the themes we have chosen are reflected in the opportunities you offer
your students

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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9MuFWHvrIeQ
The Student Experience Framework

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The Student Experience Framework

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Implementation and impact
• Governance
• Identification and assessment of existing vs new opportunities
• New opportunities:
– VCE breakfasts
– Make a Change
– Peer Assisted Learning
– International Travel Awards
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Student self-ratings based on skills drawn from UUKI
framework
Pre-trip Post-trip

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Next steps
• Embedding and monitoring across programmes
• Communication – students; staff
• Further implementation of schemes – including formalisation of student involvement with staff recruitment
• Evaluation

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Questions?