These days, more than 1 in 4 students will disclose a mental health problem of one type or another to their university - and encouragingly, they are increasingly seeking help and support. However, this means the internal pressure on university support services has never been higher, with many systems collapsing due to caseload overload.” 
 

Anyone working at a university understands the institutional goal of providing students with the resources and support they need to succeed both academically and personally. However, if students feel unsupported, their mental health may suffer, leading to dropping out or transferring to another institution. We undertook a study, State of the Nation Report on Student Mental Health in Higher Education, which suggests that sector-wide reporting issues may hinder efforts to effectively address mental health issues among students, ultimately contributing to student attrition. 

For any higher education institution, one of the top priorities is ensuring that the right IT systems are in place to support academic and administrative operations. However, an increasingly critical area that demands attention is students' mental health and well-being. Transparent reporting on mental health is a key issue that universities must address to support students who need it effectively. 

As a university registrar, your primary responsibility is to ensure that your institution operates effectively and efficiently. However, there is a growing (and critical) need to address the mental health of your students because this is contributing to an alarming rate of student attrition. One of the main issues preventing us from addressing this problem is a lack of transparent reporting on mental health data, which is why we must prioritise breaking the stigma that still exists around disclosing mental health issues - despite a decade of progress thanks to campaigns from organisations like Student Minds, MIND, UCAS etc. Also, there are significant data gaps and inaccuracies caused by reporting challenges - partly as a result of the sensitive nature of the data in question, but also due in no small part to inadequacies in data capture, analysis, and monitoring processes and capabilities. 

As an education professional, you understand the importance of ensuring that your university's students receive the care and attention they need to thrive academically and personally. At the same time, you also appreciate the critical role that marketing plays in attracting new students to your institution. What if there was a way to combine these two areas, leveraging your wellbeing provision to supercharge student recruitment? Let's look at how this can help attract new students and provide key considerations for your support and marketing teams. 

As the world becomes increasingly connected and globalised, universities worldwide can and do compete to attract students. These students bring diversity and unique perspectives to campus and are a significant source of revenue to both the institution and the broader economy, helping to raise the profile and strengthen the reputation. However, with so many options available, it can be difficult for universities to stand out and attract their attention.  

The monetary value of a student to a UK university can vary depending on factors such as their level of study, the course they are undertaking, and the location of the university.

However, things run a little deeper than that. We know how much value each student brings in, but what (as an institution) can you do to protect them from dropping out? Here are some key points to consider:

As a CIO at a UK university, there are several steps you can take to ensure that your systems are geared up to cope with changes in demand, particularly during peak periods such as student applications and enrolments. Here are some suggestions: 

The role of a Higher Education Chief Information Officer (CIO) has evolved significantly over the years. Today, CIOs are responsible for ensuring that the university's IT systems and infrastructure can support its needs, including fluctuations in student numbers.