Starting from scratch: creating a new learning development provision

BPP University provides degree and professional qualifications across our Schools of Business, Law, Nursing and Technology, predominantly at postgraduate level, but with a growing undergraduate portfolio. We are also the second largest provider of apprenticeships within the UK and have an international reach, with provision as far afield as Canada and Australia. There are eight locations in the UK, with four in London alone, and we have over 35,000 students globally, 16,000 of whom are international students from over 100 different countries. The institution does not currently have a dedicated learning development team. In early 2025 a group of librarians and learning and teaching specialists came together to create an online academic and study skills resource to support students with their academic skills needs. The project has a strong focus on co-creation with students. We aim to create resources to enhance the student academic skills experience, with a focus on accessibility and ensuring that students’ needs are met through collaboration with them. In this practitioner mini keynote, we outlined the project approach and outcomes so far and invited our delegates to discuss the following prompts: How have you enhanced the accessibility of resources at your institution? Do you co-create with students and work with them to understand their needs? Have you sought to understand the impact and value of the academic skills resources within your institution? And if so, how?'