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In the 2021/22 academic year, over 100 Nursing and Midwifery students shared their experience with us. The main themes that students fed back on were:

• Poor placement communication to students
• Placement hours
• Lack of support

To help students progress quickly and efficiently with completing their placement hours, the Department of Nursing and Midwifery and the Professional Placements Team circulated guidance for students. If you need this guidance or are unclear about this, please email us at placement-support@shu.ac.uk. A number of students mentioned they were not clear about how to upload hours (e.g. interview; attendance at recovery event; simulated learning; make-up time) onto Blackboard on MYePAD. Please view the Blackboard Timesheet Guidance for more information.

The 2021/22 HWLS College Officer shared students' feedback with Hallam's Vice Chancellor, Pro Vice Chancellor, and Dean of Academic Strategy. There was a Student Voice meeting on 8 June 2022 between the University, Course Reps, and Nursing and Midwifery Department Reps. A FAQ document was produced and circulated to students in the Nursing and Midwifery department to help answer their questions. The Department Rep for Nursing and Midwifery and the HWLS College Officer brought forward the 'Supporting Nursing & Midwifery Students' motion to our Union Council (the highest decision making body for students) and this was passed.

If you do not receive appropriate support when requested, please contact Senior Academic Advisor, John Freeman (J.P.Freeman@shu.ac.uk). This will enable John to raise these issues, in confidence, on an individual basis.

As this is a live topic, if you have not yet shared your experience with us, please let us know your thoughts.

In total, 15 students from BSc Social Work shared their experience.

• 14 spoke of the placement bursary not reflecting the 'real' cost of living
• There were 7 comments regarding fuel prices
• There were 3 comments regarding accommodation costs
• There were 6 comments regarding public transport
• There were 2 comments regarding childcare costs

Elena Bowley, 2021/22 HWLS College Officer, spoke with Hallam's Dean of Academic Strategy and the Head of Student Finance about what support the University could offer. Hallam's Head of Student Finance stated the eligibility criteria for the social work bursary is explicit and that students cannot also be in receipt of a bursary from us (P4). He said SHU needed to be careful not to step in and provide support that will cost students a bursary which is worth almost £5K.

The whole sector continue to put pressure on bursary and student loan amounts - Sheffield Hallam University does not hold out much hope that they're ever going to rise in line with inflation. The University is part of a group called NASMA, which is the National Association of Student Money Advisors. As part of NASMA, they meet with the NHS Business Services Authority (NHSBSA) as sector representatives regularly. They also talk to Student Finance England (SFE) monthly about support for vulnerable students. Finally, there are a small number of University staff who consult with the Department for Education on a more informal basis, and this is a useful avenue to influence policy.

A small number of students have contacted us with their opinions about learning, teaching, and assessment occurring virtually and/or on-campus. Some students want more virtual approaches, particularly to exams. Some students, however, prefer to be on campus, to learn from their course mates, and develop their student community.

Sheffield Hallam have released their Learning, Teaching, and Assessment Framework for 2022/23 which states that assessment is designed to meet course learning outcomes with course and level-based assessment a core approach. Assessment is designed to assure academic integrity, fairness, and consistency. So, it might be that a course has had to make the decision to hold on-campus exams because it upholds academic standards and prepares you for future employment opportunities.

We also understand that learning virtually is a requirement for some students due to health implications. We sympathise with you on this. We recommend speaking to your Academic Adviser if you are experiencing difficulty with attending on-campus learning and assessments. You can also apply for a learning contract in some cases. To do this, please speak to your Academic Adviser or Course Leader to see if this is the right path for you.

Through our Advice Centre, Officer team, and student feedback, we've received queries from students seeking help with academic misconduct panels and academic appeals. If you are currently facing academic misconduct issues, please contact us. We offer free, independent help and advice for Hallam students.

Studying at university is a different experience to school, or at any other education you might have received previously. This means that, for some, you will be taught and will learn in different ways than you are used to. For example, university requires a lot more independent learning and critical thinking. A recent international student shared tips for success, which are applicable to all students.

The Skills Centre - this is available for all students. They can help with academic writing, referencing, research, working with numbers, personal effectiveness, English language, digital technology, and much more. Find out more about the Skills Centre.

Our Cost of Living survey identified that a number of students would like additional help from their University and from us. We want to make sure you're aware of the current offers available to students, particularly international students.

Please note, this information is regularly updated by the University and your International Students' Officer. For more information, please read the GoGlobal Financial Support page.

International students experiencing financial hardship due to an emergency or a significant, unexpected, and unforeseen change in circumstances may be eligible for a loan or grant from the International Emergency Fund. Please note that strict rules apply and students with tuition fee debt are not eligible to apply. Please read the guidance document before applying.

Apply for International Emergency Fund

From the 2022/23 academic year, new international students who are bringing children dependants to the UK may be eligible for the House Hunting Grant. Strict eligibility criteria apply, so please read the guidance carefully before applying.

Apply for House Hunting Grant