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School of English, Communication and Philosophy

Supporting student success: how we champion the student experience

At the School of English, Communication and Philosophy, student support is more than a service – it’s a culture.

From first-year undergraduates to postgraduate researchers, our students are supported through a wide range of thoughtful, inclusive, and continually evolving initiatives that help them thrive academically, socially and personally.

A student-first approach

Our Student Experience Team – made up of Rob Meredith (Student Engagement and Experience Manager) and Catalina Popescu (Student Experience Officer) – has been working closely with students to create a welcoming, responsive, and engaging environment across the School.

Their efforts have not gone unnoticed: the team recently won the Learning and Teaching Collaboration of the Year at the 2025 Enriching Student Life Awards.

“We’re proud of what we’ve built so far – but we’re not standing still. We’re always looking for new ways to improve the student experience.”

Rob Meredith, Student Engagement and Experience Manager

Always-on feedback

At the heart of this work is a live feedback system, developed in collaboration with the Student Champion project. Students can submit comments, suggestions or concerns at any time – 24/7, 365 days a year. Feedback is responded to and acted on promptly, with outcomes clearly displayed on screens and noticeboards throughout the department, and in soft-copy formats. This transparency helps students feel seen, heard, and valued.

Accessible and inclusive learning

The team has also worked with Student Champions to redesign the School’s Virtual Learning Environment (VLE), making it easier to navigate and more accessible for all students. The team also participates in regular internationalisation meetings, helping to shape the experiences of international students by listening closely to their feedback and adapting support accordingly – including changes to timetabling, quiet spaces, and access to resources.

Peer support and community building

Recognising the importance of peer-to-peer connections, the team has launched a PGT Buddy Scheme. Designed for postgraduate taught students, it pairs new master’s students with former undergraduates from the School who are continuing their studies. This complements the wider undergraduate Student Mentor scheme and strengthens the sense of continuity and support throughout the student journey.

Students also benefit from a rich culture of community-building events. Highlights include the annual Reading Week Festival, welcome socials, creative competitions, and organised trips to cultural events and local attractions. The School even brings students and staff together to fundraise for – and take part in – the Cardiff Half Marathon.

Celebrating student work and voice

To support academic development, the team has created a digital dissertation archive, allowing students to access high-quality examples of past work for inspiration and reference. The weekly newsletter keeps everyone in the loop about upcoming events, opportunities, and achievements within the School and wider university.

Students are also empowered to shape their community through the Student Experience Fund, which invites students to apply for financial support to run their own events or initiatives. School societies receive active support too, with promotion, occasional funding, and advice from staff to help bring their ideas to life.

“Our work is always evolving. Everything we do is rooted in partnership with our students – and we’re excited about what comes next.”

Catalina Popescu

Evidence-led improvements

All this work is underpinned by data. The Student Experience Team regularly audits surveys such as the National Student Survey (NSS), Postgraduate Research Experience Survey (PRES),  Cardiff University Postgraduate Taught Survey (CUPTS) and Module Enhancement Feedback. These insights help identify trends and areas for improvement, leading to concrete action and shared learning across the School and the wider university.

Moving forward together

Whether it’s championing student voice, improving access to resources, or simply creating space for meaningful connection, the School is committed to a culture of support and innovation.