Read the latest Common Awards student bulletin
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1. Introduction
Welcome to the fourth edition of the Common Awards student bulletin, put together by the Common Awards team within Durham University.
2. Student Feedback to the Management Board
Common Awards students at all TEIs may provide feedback to the Management Board at any time, via either your own TEI student representatives, or via the Common Awards Student Representatives. The Board takes the issue of anonymity very seriously; individual students will not be named in any student feedback considered by the Board, and any identifying information will be removed before feedback is considered.
The next meeting of the Management Board will take place in October. If you would like to contact the Common Awards student representatives for 2025/26 their details are as follows:
Examples of the types of student feedback that it would be appropriate to be raised at the level of the Management Board:
o For example: do students feel there is a sufficient range and depth of modules available? Are the assessment methods balanced and appropriate and is it clear what is expected of students for each assessment type? Do students feel the programmes allow them to develop the necessary skills and subject knowledge?
o For example: are these processes clear and unambiguous to follow? Is sufficient information provided?
o For example: what things do students feel are going well and are there any areas that could be improved? Are there any areas of good practice that they wish to highlight?
We wouldn’t expect to take student feedback to the overarching Management Board regarding TEI-specific issues, such as issues relating to the resources, staffing or programme delivery at any individual TEI. These types of issues should be considered at TEI Management Committees.
3. Student Event – How to use Artificial Intelligence well
Building on and learning from the student conferences of 2024, the Durham University Common Awards team have hosted/will host two identical Saturday/24-hour student conferences in 2025 on the topic of ‘How to use Artificial Intelligence well’
One event in the south has taken place:
Sarum College, Salisbury: 14th/15th March 2025
The next event will be held in the north:
Wilson Carlisle Centre (Church Army), Sheffield: 5th/6th September 2025
Canon Dr Gary Wilton has written to TEIs with further details of how to nominate students for these events.
Each TEI is invited to nominate two of their students to attend. Please contact your TEI by 31 July 2025 if you are interested in attending.
The purpose of the conference is to enable students to benefit from an inter-TEI learning experience on a contemporary and fast-developing topic. TEIs may nominate candidates studying for any Common Awards programme.
Common Awards will meet all conference costs including accommodation and meals.
4. Common Awards Student Guide
Please find attached the 2025-26 Student Guide to Common Awards for students starting new programmes with TEIs.
This guide has been created in response to the Common Awards Student Survey feedback, to help improve students’ understanding of the Common Awards partnership, the relationship between their TEI and the University, the role of the University in their time as a Common Awards student, and any key information they may find useful. The guide is intended to complement induction information already shared by TEIs.
5. Further Information
The Common Awards website contains a section aimed at students which you may find useful, particularly the pages on what Common Awards can provide to you as a student, and what your TEI can provide.
If you would like to contact the Common Awards team you may do so via your TEI’s ‘key contact’, or by emailing us directly on common.awards@durham.ac.uk
Thank you,
Common Awards Team
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