An important distinction needs to be made between the student experience and the student learning experience.
The student experience includes all aspects of students’ experiences at their institutions, and is a high-profile theme of the new coalition government's statements on higher education :
For many institutions an important component of the student experience is the international student experience. The UK International Unit has produced a Guide to Enhancing the International Student Experience and Catherine Montgomery of Northumbria University has published "Understanding the International Student Experience."
The student learning experience is more restricted to academic issues of learning, teaching and associated activities. This is unlikely to be the direct responsibility of the governing body and is generally in the remit of the academic board or senate. The governing body can expect to receive regular reports.
Many student issues are primarily operational and therefore a management responsibility, but the governing body has a role in relation to strategy, for example ensuring that the learning and teaching strategy is achievable within existing resources and is fully compatible with other strategies, and monitoring performance.
A good starting point for more information about the student experience is the Higher Education Academy. More information about the student learning experience may be found from the Quality Assurance Agency.
HEFCW has published a circular to its institutions, reflecting that the student experience is one of the 5 strategic themes in its corporate strategy.
For more information see Chapter 6 of Getting to Grips with Academic Standards, Quality and the Student Experience.
Powerpoint presentations:
Students and the Student Experience, Robin Parker, President for Scotland, NUS 
Listening to Students and Dealing with the Shifting HE Agenda, Professor Michael Gunn, Vice-Chancellor, Staffordshire University