Dear Alumni,
It has been a very busy summer as we have continued intensive work on our strategy. There is a lot to write about and these are a few highlights.
On campus, preparations for the start of the new semester are underway and we are excited to welcome our new, and our returning, students back to campus. Welcome the brand-new Class of 2023! You are now joining our global alumni network and a lifelong community.
Two recent milestones are the results of the National Student Survey (NSS) and the 2023 Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF) both undertaken by the Office for Students (the University regulator). The NSS is a key measure of the experience of our final year undergraduate students at City. I am pleased to report that the results demonstrate City has made very significant improvements in several important areas. Improving the student experience has been a key focus and we are already seeing evidence of our progress. Hopefully, when these results are combined with the excellent Research Excellence Framework (REF) results we should see further ‘league table’ advances.
City has also retained its Silver rating overall in the 2023 Teaching Excellence Framework recognising City’s student experience and student outcomes as typically ‘very high-quality’. The TEF rating is an important sector benchmark which gives our students the right to feedback on the areas they care about the most: teaching, learning and career outcomes. Our work focusing on employability has been recognised with a Gold rating. There is still work to do, but this is very good news.
Beyond City it has been a difficult period. We continue to extend our support to students and alumni caught up in global events. We use the platform of the University to address challenges through research, education, and engagement.
The Student Gateway project launches this month. It is a physical manifestation of our commitment to student experience and will see a single physical gateway for students to access central support on campus. This is an opportunity to transform how we deliver our support services to students in line with our strategy and values. The Student Gateway, by physically bringing together services into a ‘one-stop shop’, will give us a unique and exciting opportunity to redesign our services, taking a student-centred approach.
Our new building at Finsbury Square has now opened and will be home to the MBA and specialist master’s students, further physically embedding our close relationship to the City of London. In conjunction with upgrades at Bunhill Row our undergraduates will be spending more time in Bayes buildings, reinforcing our ‘business school experience for undergraduates’ approach.
Black Futures Month is returning this October. Join us in celebrating Black Futures Month, a reimagining of Black History Month – focused on the future of Black excellence, liberation, and collective Black joy. This year’s theme is #SalutingOurSisters; a testament to the recognition of the incredible contributions made by Black women within our society. Please find some highlights in the events section below and celebrate with us on our social channels.
I hope you enjoy reading this edition of Alumni News.
Yours,
Anthony
President
City, University of London