5 ways your voice can make a difference at Leeds

Your opinions, experiences and ideas matter. Your feedback influences what we teach and how, the services we provide, and helps staff focus on the improvements – big and small – that make your time at Leeds meaningful for you.

There are lots of ways to have your say throughout your time at uni, from module feedback at the end of every semester, to the National Student Survey in your final year.
Here are five ways you can get involved, and why it matters:

1. Feed back on your modules

You’ll generally get two chances to share your views on your modules – while your module’s running via ‘module check-ins’, and when it’s finished, through end of module surveys. Module check-ins tend to be informal and collected in class (with a chance for discussion with your teacher), whereas module surveys are a more formal questionnaire format.

• When: In class at any time for module check ins. At the end of the module for module surveys.
• Why: Sharing your views while the module is running will help staff make tweaks or changes quickly. End of module surveys will help staff make improvements for other students and gather general insights on what’s working in their course content and teaching practices.

2. Engage with student reps

Each school and programme has appointed student representatives whose role is to gather student opinion on their experiences of their course.

• When: Reps present to School and Programme leadership at least once every semester.
• Why: Because reps feedback every semester, your ideas and suggested changes could happen quite quickly.

3. Attend forums, focus groups and community events

Some schools and programmes run forums and coffee mornings to gather informal feedback. There will be staff and student reps there to listen to your concerns and ideas.

• When: It depends on your faculty or school. Look out for local communications on how to get involved.
• Why: As well as being able to raise issues as they occur, you’ll also get to know more of the staff and students in your school or faculty. You might even get paid for some sessions.

4. Share your views on your programme

The Undergraduate Programme Survey gathers your feedback on all aspects of your programme, not just the content of your teaching.

• When: At the end of every academic year for everyone except final year students.
• Why: Leaders use the results of the Undergraduate Programme Survey to focus on the changes they need to make, in your School and at a wider University level, to make the student experience better for everyone.

5. Tell us about your experience at Leeds overall

The National Student Survey (NSS) asks students across the country about their whole experience at university, from what you’re taught and how, to how you’re supported. It’s run by the universities governing body the Office for Students (OfS).

• When: Towards the end of your final year at Leeds.
• Why: We know your university experience is about more than just teaching, so getting your honest view of your whole time at Leeds helps us make tweaks and major changes that benefit other students. There’s also often an incentive for taking part.

Want to feed back something difficult?

Feel strongly about something and want to take it to the top? LUU can help you get your concerns heard by the most senior people in the university. You can read more about challenging decisions or making a complaint on the LUU complaints webpage.