The purpose of our Academic Strategy is to drive St Mary’s as the place where humanity ignites possibility. We are committed to providing our students with transformational experiences, within a supportive, inclusive, and inspiring environment. We will enable our students to develop into highly skilled and independent problem solvers, as well as socially engaged and civically responsible individuals.

We recognise the value of interdisciplinary study and community-engaged learning, to prepare students for addressing complex local and global challenges and enable individual and collective flourishing. Research and Knowledge Exchange is also core to this purpose, and underpins our teaching excellence, as well as our broader contribution to society through practical application and impact. In line with this purpose, the Academic Strategy priorities and objectives are summarised below.

Strategic priorities

Academic objectives

1. Growing and diversifying our portfolio through new disciplines and delivery approaches, in line with local and global skills needs.

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1.1 Develop portfolio in high growth potential areas, specifically in technology, health, and accounting and finance.

1.2 Diversify delivery through fully online, distance learning, hybrid, and micro-credential/modular models, to reach new markets.

1.3 Support the Marketing and Recruitment teams in promoting the quality of our offering to external audiences and stakeholders.

2. Delivering an inclusive, supportive, and inspiring student experience, that enables individual and collective development and success

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2.1 Transition the academic portfolio towards a

values and skills-based curriculum.

2.2 improve student engagement, retention, and success across all stages of the academic life cycle.

2.3 Address continuation, completion and awarding gaps, in accordance with our Access and Participation Plan (APP).

2.4 Enhance processes for capturing and acting on student voice.

3 Delivering and leveraging innovative, community-engaged, and technologically enhanced approaches to teaching and learning.

3.1 Ensure all courses have a clear student-focused and employability-driven value proposition, relevant to the discipline and market.

3.2 Ensure all graduates are equipped with the knowledge and critical understanding to use Generative AI tools ethically, effectively, and responsibly.

3.3 Integrate sustainability principles across all areas of the curriculum.

3.4 Embed interdisciplinary, community-engaged, and work-based learning opportunities in all courses.

4 Fostering transformative research and knowledge exchange, with high quality outputs and real-world impact.

4.1 Ensure strategic focus and alignment of research on core strengths and strategic priorities, aligned to REF 2029.

4.2 Foster research collaborations with industry and external institutions to drive innovation and knowledge exchange.

4.3 Grow doctoral and post-doctoral research, including professional doctorate provision.

5 Developing and expanding high-performing academic partnerships, in the UK and internationally.

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5.1 Ensure partnerships contribute positively to St Mary’s reputation and position.

5.2 Develop and strengthen partnerships with further education colleges.

5.3 Develop and strengthen partnerships with institutions that contribute to the University’s Catholic mission.

5.4 Develop and strengthen transnational education and international recruitment partnerships.

The Academic Strategy will remain dynamic and evolve over time to accommodate additio-0nal activities, objectives, and measures that align with internal and external developments. The Strategy is underpinned by several other strategies within the academic areas, including:

Teaching and Learning Strategy
Student Retention Strategy
Research and Knowledge Exchange Strategy
Academic Partnerships Strategy
Apprenticeships Strategy

The Academic Strategy is also aligned with other relevant institutional strategies, such as the Marketing and Recruitment Strategy.

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