How can student support in management studies be improved?

student supportmanagement studies

Target the assessment experience first, make access to help rapid and predictable, and stabilise day‑to‑day delivery. In the student support theme of the National Student Survey (NSS, the UK‑wide final‑year survey), sentiment runs 68.6% positive overall but dips for disabled students (index 28.0). In management studies across the sector, Feedback dominates discussion (9.6% share) and trends negative (−18.1), while Career guidance is strongly positive (+41.1). These patterns explain why students ask for actionable feedback, joined‑up support routes, and reliable timetabling.

What unique challenges do management students face?

Management students balance theory with practice and need collaboration that works. Cohorts value breadth and choice but report friction around group work and the mechanics of collaboration. They also expect visible pathways into careers and entrepreneurship, not just content. Support should prioritise fast responses, consistent signposting, and staff visibility, with additional attention to disabled students who report weaker support experiences than their peers.

How should feedback on assignments be improved?

Students need feedback they can use. In this subject area, sentiment around Feedback is net negative and students describe uncertainty about expectations. Programmes should publish annotated exemplars, checklist‑style rubrics and marking guides; calibrate markers; and set service levels for return times. Treat feedback as a dialogue by scheduling brief follow‑ups, using assessment brief “unpack” sessions, and aligning formative and summative tasks so comments translate into the next submission.

What support do students need for international work placements?

International exposure strengthens confidence and employability, but access and preparation often vary by programme. As placements are less common in management studies than in some disciplines, departments should expand employer networks, make eligibility and timelines transparent, and provide pre‑departure preparation (including intercultural and practical briefings). Where placements are limited, signpost year‑abroad, live projects and consultancy briefs as credible alternatives that deliver similar benefits.

How does variability in lecturer engagement and departmental support affect outcomes?

Students thrive when staff are accessible and departments follow through. Standardise office hours and response windows, make ownership of queries visible, and embed brief, regular drop‑ins at assessment pinch points. Departments can stabilise the student journey by coordinating workshops, mentoring and industry events on a predictable cadence, reducing the need for students to chase information across multiple channels.

How has COVID-19 changed expectations in management studies?

The pivot to online revealed the need for explicit expectations and reliable digital delivery. When modules use remote or hybrid approaches, set norms for interaction, response times and group work, and keep a single, authoritative source for materials and updates. Students continue to expect user‑friendly platforms, prompt technical support, and opportunities to discuss complex topics synchronously.

What proactive support do students need for mental health?

Demanding workloads and group assessments can escalate stress. Programmes should provide rapid triage with named case ownership, accessible communications, and proactive follow‑ups until resolution. Staff training to spot distress, plus peer‑support networks and scheduled check‑ins around major assessments, help students manage pressure and sustain engagement.

What will it take to deliver better support for management students?

Prioritise assessment clarity and reliable operations, keep careers activity visible, and ensure consistent, accessible support for all students. Evidence shows most students feel well‑supported, yet uneven experiences in assessment and access to help undermine progress. Departments that publish standards, track time‑to‑resolution, and share outcomes build trust and improve progression for diverse cohorts.

How Student Voice Analytics helps you

Student Voice Analytics surfaces where support is working and where tone dips. It tracks topic volume and sentiment over time from provider to programme, compares like‑for‑like across subject areas and demographics, and exports concise, anonymised briefs for programme teams and services. You can segment by cohort or site, monitor resolution times, and evidence improvements in areas such as assessment clarity, timetabling communications and access for disabled students.

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