I’d like to begin by warmly welcoming all our students, whether you’re joining us for the first time or returning after a well-earned summer break. We’re absolutely delighted to have you with us.
The transition into university life, or between levels of study, is both exciting and sometimes challenging. It’s been fantastic to see so many of you engaging with enthusiasm and commitment already.
This has also been an exciting time for us as a programme team, with several pieces of good news to share. First and foremost, we’ve performed exceptionally well in the National Student Survey (NSS). This annual survey gathers feedback from final-year students on everything from teaching and assessment to organisation and support. Thanks to the dedication of our teaching team and the invaluable input from student representatives, we’ve seen outstanding results. A huge thank you to all of you who contributed!
On that note, we’re now recruiting Course Representatives. This is a fantastic opportunity to make a real impact on your programme, while also enhancing your CV. If you’re interested in representing your peers and shaping the student experience, we’d love to hear from you.
And the good news doesn’t stop there! Have you heard of the Times Higher Education (THE) Awards? Often described as the “Oscars of Higher Education,” these awards celebrate excellence across the sector. I’m thrilled to announce that two members of our team have been shortlisted this year:
Dr Matthew Jones has been nominated for Most Innovative Teacher of the Year, in recognition of his pioneering work designing digital Escape Games for bioscience education. These games are not only fun and engaging, they’re also part of your learning experience if you’re taking his modules this year.
Tahmina Hussain has been shortlisted for her exceptional contributions to Outstanding Student Support. Drawing on her professional background in Biomedical Science, Tahmina created a nationally recognised Portfolio Club. This initiative helps students begin building their professional registration portfolios before starting placements, leading to a significant increase in placement success rates. If you’re considering a career in Biomedical Science, I strongly encourage you to get involved.
As always, we’re committed to supporting your career development both inside and outside the classroom. Many of you are already part of our mentorship groups focused on Biomedical Science, Research Careers, and Graduate Medicine. I’m excited to share that Dr Samantha Borland has now launched three new groups focused on Teaching, Scientist Training Programmes (STP), and science communication careers. These were introduced during induction week, and you’ll hear more about them throughout the year. You can find details on how to join via the Blackboard Programme Site.
Once again, welcome to the new academic year. Work hard, enjoy the journey, and remember to take care of your wellbeing. We’re here to support you every step of the way.
Dr Matthew Jones, Deputy Programme Lead for Biomedical Science & Directorate Head of Academic Quality.
Dr Sara Namvar, Programme Lead for Biomedical Science & Directorate Lead for Student Experience
Tahmina Hussain, Programme Lead for the Biomedical Science Degree Apprenticeship & Directorate Lead for Staff EDI