Class Reps

Class Representatives are elected student volunteers, who help to enhance learning, teaching, and research at both the undergraduate and postgraduate level. Class and Postgraduate Reps work with School or Postgraduate Presidents, University staff, and each other to advocate for student needs and priorities at Student Staff Consultative Committee (SSCC) meetings within their departments. Class Reps have the power to advocate on curriculum, assessment, progression, achievement, guidance, support, teaching, learning resources, among other elements of the learning experience.

There are over 500 Class Reps who represent students of year groups, areas of study, or specific modules. To find yours, contact your School President.

How to Become a Class Rep

All matriculated students are eligible to run in their School's Class Rep Elections!

Undergraduate (UG) Class Rep nominations are held  in Week 1 of Semester 1. Voting takes place in Week 2 online. (See the Class Rep Elections webpage for more information)

To self-nominate for the Class Rep Elections, all you need to do is write a short personal statement (typically 250 words) that tells your peers why you deserve to be elected as a representative. You can also choose to run for one of the roles listed below.

Postgraduate Research (PGR) Class Rep elections differ, instead beginning in Week 4, to accommodate the later starting date of PGR students. Voting takes place after nominations close in Week 5.

If you have any questions about Class Rep Elections, email us at [email protected].

Role Descriptions

Class Rep

Class Representatives perform the following core functions within their departments:

  1. Gather feedback from the cohort they represent.
  2. Collate and analyse that feedback, looking for trends, themes, and possible actions that could be taken.
  3. Present feedback and potential outcomes to staff at Student-Staff Consultative Committee meetings in their departments.
  4. Work with staff to implement actions and make changes that students want to see.
  5. Close the feedback loop by communicating changes and the effects of student feedback to their cohorts.

In addition, Class Reps work with the School President or Language Convener on school-wide priorities and initiatives (helping out with other tasks as assigned). Class Reps can also work on other student initiatives and projects that they identify!

Postgraduate Rep

Postgraduate Taught and Research Representatives speak for their cohorts on matters related to the learning and research experience respectively. Specifically, PGT and PGR Reps:

  1. Gather feedback from the postgraduate cohorts they represent.
  2. Collate and analyse PG feedback, looking for trends, themes, and possible actions that could be taken.
  3. Present feedback and potential outcomes to PG-focused staff at Student-Staff Consultative Committee meetings in their departments.
  4. Work with staff to implement actions and make changes that postgraduates want to see.
  5. Close the feedback loop by communicating changes and the effects of PG feedback to their cohorts.

In addition, Postgraduate Reps work with the PGT and PGR Presidents on PG-wide issues and priorities, and attend a regular forum meeting to collaborate and dialogue with other PG Reps. PG Reps can also take on other school-wide priorities and initiatives that they identify.

Sustainability Rep

Sustainability Reps bridge the gap between operational and academic aspects of sustainability, working to drive and support positive changes within their academic school. Their primary responsibilities include:

  1. Gathering student opinion on the state of sustainability (both operational and curricular) in the School/Department.
  2. Lobbying for operational changes in their School/Department (e.g. running a "plastic free" audit).
  3. Campaign for embedding sustainability content in the department's curriculum.

Sustainability Reps work closely with the University's Sustainability Coordinator, the Environment Subcommittee of the Students' Association, and their School Presidents to achieve their individual goals and respond to the student priorities in the area of environment and sustainable education. They also attend Student-Staff Consultative Commitees in their department.

School Roles

The School Roles are additional representative positions within Schools, each with a different focus and which develops different skills. You can find more information in the role descriptions below. Reps with School Roles support School Presidents in specific areas of their remit, to ensure that a wide number of events and opportunities are provided throughout the academic year.

Each position is supported by a specialised training session and support network, in both the Students’ Association and the University. Positions are filled during the normal Class Reprsentative Election.

Role Descriptions

Careers & Employability Rep

Careers & Employability Reps represent students in Schools on matters related to skills, jobs, practical learning, connecting with alumni, and employability generally.

The role of Careers and Employability Rep has two main areas of focus:

  1. Influencing the curriculum related to careers and employability, pushing to embed essential skills and knowledge into the classroom.
  2. Building careers events and opportunities in their departments.

Careers & Employability Reps work closely with the University's Careers Center, the Employability Officer in the Students' Association, and their School Presidents to achieve their individual goals and respond to student priorities in the area of employability. They also attend Student-Staff Consultative Committees in their department.

EDI Rep

EDI Reps represent students in Schools on matters related to equality, diversity, and inclusion.

The role of EDI Rep has the following areas of focus:

  1. Supporting and championing a curriculum that is diverse, inclusive, and anti-racist;
  2. Representing student interests related to equality, diversity and inclusion to staff members;
  3. Ensuring that Class Representatives and other role holders are considering a diversity of student voices and perspectives.

EDI Reps work closely with their School President to support and champion EDI goals within their schools. EDI Representatives also serve as a member of their School's Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) Committee, and their School's Student-Staff Consultative Committee; they attend meetings to drive improvements related to diversity, inclusion, or equity for students.

Disability Rep

The Disability & Academic Support Reps represent students in Schools on academic support and disability matters, and they may contribute to the improvement of support services in their school.

The role Disability & Academic Support Rep has two main areas of focus:

  1. Advocate for change in disability support and accessibility in your School,
  2. Signpost and promote support resources for disabled students.

Disability Representatives also serve as a member of their School's Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) Committee, and their School's Staff-Student Consultative Committee; they attend meetings to drive improvements related to accessibility, inclusion, or equity for disabled students.