Given that the education landscape is continually evolving, to remain relevant Universities must reflect on and respond to changes in students’ needs and expectations. This project was sparked from UNE’s Academic Calendar Working Group which identified the opportunity to embed upskilling/achievement programs throughout the academic year, accessible to all students irrespective of level or course. One model proposed was a 6-week block called ‘Lean into Learning’. The UNE Advantage project set out to examine this purpose and provide recommendations for both generic, and discipline-specific activities that would increase students’ engagement, confidence, and academic success. This report provides an analysis of the current literature that addresses the student experience from national, international and UNE perspectives, and presents the findings of a mixed-method study that explored UNE staff and student perspectives about up-skilling/achievement programs as a way to enhance the student experience.