In this joint blog, Cassie and Jiji (SU President) reflect on the SU Top Ten 2024/25.
As we reach the end of another academic year, we want to take a moment to reflect on the progress we’ve made together through one of our most impactful collaborative initiatives—the Students’ Union (SU) Top Ten.
Each year, the SU Officer team identifies ten key priorities based on student feedback, lived experience, and manifesto commitments. These priorities guide our shared efforts to enhance the student experience at Bath. The 2024/25 Top Ten has once again demonstrated the strength of our partnership and the power of student voice in shaping institutional change.
Highlights from the 2024/25 Top Ten
Here are just a few examples of what we’ve achieved together:
- Inclusive Teaching and Assessment: Dedicated workstreams under the Inclusive Education Steering Group are developing a new framework for anticipatory approach, a Reasonable Adjustments Policy, and inclusive group work guidance. These efforts are laying the groundwork for a more equitable academic experience for all students.
- Academic Rights and Support: The SU launched new webpages and resources to clarify academic rights, while the University has committed to improving signposting and staff training. This work is helping students better understand and access the support available to them.
- Belonging and Extracurricular Access: We’ve evaluated the accessibility of extracurricular opportunities and are developing new guidance to ensure students are consulted on future changes, part of our Student Voice resources. This is particularly important for widening participation students and those balancing multiple commitments.
- Recognition of Student Leadership: We’re excited to pilot the new Bath Award in 2025/26, which will formally recognise student leadership, voluntary and paid, and co-curricular contributions. This initiative reflects our shared belief in the value of student engagement beyond the lecture hall (or labs, seminar room, etc!).
- Postgraduate Experience: From enhanced communications and community-building events to targeted employability support, we’ve made significant strides in improving the experience for both taught and research postgraduates. These efforts are being embedded into long-term strategies through the PGT Review and Doctoral End-to-End Review.
- Digital Systems and Identity: We’ve made real progress in addressing issues around deadnaming and system integration. Institutional naming guidance has been approved and is now being implemented, with tactical fixes already in place for key systems.
Where We’re Still Working
Two housing-related priorities—developing a student-friendly approach to private housing and a comprehensive housing strategy—remain ongoing. These are complex, city-wide issues, but we’ve made important steps, including stakeholder mapping, early partnership discussions, and progress on affordable accommodation in new developments.
While the renovation of the SULIS Club was not approved due to strategic and financial constraints, the University remain committed to working with the SU to mitigate the impact on students and explore alternative solutions.
Looking Ahead
It’s also worth celebrating the delivery of a long-standing student priority: the installation of a new, fully recyclable 3G pitch on campus—the first of its kind in the UK. Part of the SU Top Ten in 2019/20, this achievement is a testament to the persistence of student advocacy and the value of sustained collaboration.
We want to thank the SU Officers, University leads, and all the students and staff who have contributed to this year’s progress. The SU Top Ten continues to be a vital mechanism for identifying and addressing the issues that matter most to our student community. We’re sure that as we prepare for the arrival for a new cohort of SU officers, the SU and the university will build on this year’s work and continue our strong partnership in the year ahead.
Contact me directly at pro-vc-se@bath.ac.uk if you have a question or would like to suggest future topics for my blog.
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