BUCS Student Survey 23/24 Brings Insights into the University Sporting Experience

The British Universities & Colleges Sport (BUCS) released the findings of its 23/24 Student Survey last month, showcasing a predominantly positive response to university sports across the UK. Feedback from 1,502 students representing 120 institutions and 51 BUCS-level sports provided valuable data to help enhance the student experience in BUCS competitions.

The survey aimed to evaluate students’ overall experiences with BUCS sports, assess their impact on university life, and identify factors that either enhanced or detracted from the experience. Additionally, it explored the role of club committee members and their interactions with BUCS.

BUCS CEO Will Roberts highlighted the survey’s importance in providing insights that allow the organization to focus on delivering a meaningful sporting experience that inspires, develops, and unites participants. He also underscored the vital role that sports play in enhancing students’ social, emotional, and cultural lives during higher education.

Overall, 78.2% of students rated their BUCS experience as excellent or good, and 88.5% reported that it had a positive impact on their university experience. This marked an improvement over the previous year, with 45.6% stating their experience was better or significantly better than in the 22/23 academic year. Students attributed this positivity to factors such as the mental health support associated with sports, the pride in representing their institutions, and the sense of belonging to a team—93.5% identified this sense of community as a key benefit.

The role of club committee members emerged as a standout factor, with 65.2% of respondents citing their contributions as a major enhancement to their sporting experience. Their passion, dedication, and significant time commitment were valued more than factors such as the quality of training and matches (56.3%) and coaching standards (49.3%).

However, the survey also highlighted areas for improvement. The BUCS Play app was the most significant detracting factor, with 40.3% of students rating it poorly due to its slow performance and challenging navigation, particularly in the events section. Other issues included insufficient recognition of team successes by member institutions (23.6% reported this as a negative factor) and inconsistent officiation standards, which 22.7% viewed unfavorably.

The findings have prompted BUCS to prioritize areas for improvement, such as better timing for engaging students, allowing institutions more time to promote the survey, and addressing technical issues with the BUCS Play app. A stronger focus on diversity and inclusivity has also been recommended for future initiatives.

For member institutions, the recommendations include evaluating whether students feel adequately supported in their sporting endeavors and ensuring that successes are celebrated appropriately. Training programs for committee members should also be reviewed, as their influence is critical to enhancing the student experience.

As a united effort, BUCS and its member institutions are encouraged to maintain the practice of leaving Wednesday afternoons free from classes, ensuring students have dedicated time for sporting events. This collective approach aims to sustain and build upon the positive impact of university sports on students’ lives.

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