This page is divided into two sections, one for Undergraduates and one for Postgraduates. You'll find more information about the respective elections below. You can contact the Director of Education or the Academic Representation Coordinator for more information about current opportunities to engage in Academic Representation.
Jump to the Undergraduate section or Postgraduate section.
Undergraduate Class Rep Elections
Class Representatives are the foundational change makers within academic Schools and Departments. They raise issues and create solutions with staff, they help plan events and socials for the School, and they learn about the inner workings of academia and student leadership. Any undergraduate student in good standing is eligible to be a Class Representative, and elections for the roles start the first week of classes. Students can run for any of the following roles: Class Representative (typically structured by year group or programme or study), Disability Representative, Sustainability Representative, Careers & Employability Representative, or Equality Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) Representative. Being a Class Representative is a great way to get involved at St Andrews, with an estimated time commitment of just one hour per week of work!
Important Dates
Undergraduate Class Representative Elections, 2022
| Date |
Time |
Event |
| 12 September 2022 |
09:00 |
UGClass Rep Nominations Open |
| 19 September 2022 |
17:00 |
UG Class Rep Nominations Close |
| 20 September 2022 |
00:01 |
UG Class Rep Voting Opens |
| 21 September 2022 |
17:00 |
UG Class Rep Voting Closes |
| 22 September 2022 |
17:15 |
UG Class Rep Training (Sci + Med) |
| 23 September 2022 |
17:15 |
UG Class Rep Training (Arts + Div) |
About the Class Rep Elections
To be eligible to run for a position, students must be enrolled in modules in the relevant School/Department during the current Academic Year. Students who want to stand for a role in the elections must nominate themselves in the Elections Portal. Candidates must submit a current headshot photograph, a brief statement describing their experience and goals for the position, and contact information as part of the nomination process.
As ordinary members of the Students' Association, all matriculated students are eligible to vote for candidates standing as Representatives in their respective Schools. Students must cast their ballots through the centralised Elections Portal during the published election period. Students will only vote on the candidates relevant to to their area of study (School/Department).
Available Positions & Eligibility (UG)
The following roles are available to undergraduate students:
To be eligible to stand for a Class Representative position, a student must meet the criteria indicated by the name of the role. For example, a student would need to be in their second year of study and enrolled in modules within the School of Mathematics and Statistics to be able to stand for the Second Year Maths & Stats Rep role. For other roles (Careers, Disability, EDI, and Sustainability Rep roles), students must be enrolled in modules in the School to be eligible to run for the post.
Frequently Asked Questions (Undergraduate)
What does a Class Rep do?
Class Representatives serve as the voice for their peers on all academic matters. Class Reps work to gather and synthesise student feedback and work with staff to make changes within their programmes and schools. Class Reps are essential advocates for students on key issues such as lecture capture, extension policies, and teaching quality.What does the workload or time commitment look like for being a Class Rep?
Class Representatives are generally expected to volunteer no more than three hours per week. Often, the time commitment is lower, around one hour per week. This time is built around representatives’ schedules and is not fixed on a weekly basis. Representatives serve until the conclusion of the academic year.Who is eligible to run in these elections?
Ordinary members of the Students’ Association (i.e., students who have not opted out of the Students’ Association under the Education Act 1994) shall be eligible to stand and vote in these elections. This means all matriculated students can run and/or vote in the elections. Specific position eligibility is described above.How does being a Class Rep work if I am doing a Joint Honours Degree?
Students can run to be a Class Rep for any School/Programme they are enrolled in. For joint honours students, this means you can choose which role you want to run for, either in one School or both.What materials will I need to nominate myself for the role of Class Rep?
The nominations portal will ask you to submit a recent photograph of yourself (preferably a headshot) as well as a brief description of any relevant experience and why you think you would be an effective representative. Candidates are also asked for their basic contact information, although this is not displayed to voters. All of this information is submitted via the nominations section of the Elections Portal.Am I eligible to be a Class Rep if I hold another leadership role?
Yes! Class Representatives may hold other positions, in Societies, Union Subcommittees, and external organisations.What support/training will I get as a Class Rep?
All elected Class Reps will receive a formal training session from the Students’ Association; this will include information about their role, about the meetings they attend, and how to escalate issues up to other leaders. Class Reps are also given access to a comprehensive Microsoft Teams area, where they can ask questions and interact with Academic Representation leadership, and collaborate on shared issues/events with other reps. Reps also receive a formal handover report from their predecessor to guide them in their new role. The Students’ Association also has several staff members, such as the Director of Education, the Academic Representation Coordinator, and the Education Advocate who are able to help prepare and guide Class Reps.Who do Class Representatives report to?
Undergraduate Class Representatives report directly to their School President.I think I’ve voted but I’m not sure. How can I check?
You should receive a confirmation email from the Elections Service. If you do not see this in your St Andrews email, you can log back into the Elections Portal to ensure you have submitted your ballot. If you still need help, contact [email protected].Who can I talk to if I have more questions?
Email [email protected] for more information.Postgraduate Rep Elections
Postgraduates make changes within their departments and programmes and within the wider Postgraduate Community through a variety of leadership roles. From Postgraduate Reps (who gather feedback from peers and work with staff to create solutions), to supervisory roles like the PGT and PGR President, or events roles like the Postgraduate Activities Officer, there are opportunities for everyone to get involved. The time commitment for these roles varies, ranging from just one hour a week as a PG Representative to 15 hours per week as the PG Activities Officer.
Important Dates
Postgraduate Representative Elections, 2022
| Date |
Time |
Event |
| 29 September 2022 |
09:00 |
PG Rep Nominations Open |
| 5 October 2022 |
17:00 |
PG Rep Nominations Close |
| 6 October 2022 |
00:01 |
PG Elections Voting Opens |
| 7 October 2022 |
17:00 |
PG Elections Voting Closes |
| 10-12 October 2022 |
TBA |
PG Rep Training |
About the Postgraduate Rep Elections
To be eligible to run for a position, students must be enrolled in the relevant School/Department during the current Academic Year. Students who want to stand for a role in the elections must nominate themselves in the Elections Portal. Candidates must submit a current headshot photograph, a brief statement describing their experience and goals for the position, and contact information as part of the nomination process.
As ordinary members of the Students' Association, all matriculated PG students are eligible to vote for candidates standing as Representatives in their respective Schools. Students must cast their ballots through the centralised Elections Portal during the published election period. Students will only vote on the candidates relevant to their level (PGT/PGR) and to their area of study (School/Department). Postgraduate students will also have the opportunity to vote on several university-wide positions (the PGT/PGR President, the PG Officers, and the PG Activities and PG Development Officers).
Available Positions & Eligibility (PG)
The following roles are available to postgraduate students:
- Postgraduate Activities Officer
- Association Student Representative Council Role
- One position for the the entire university
- Eligibility: open to any matriculated PGT or PGR student in good standing.
- Postgraduate Development Officer
- Association Student Representative Council Role
- One position for the the entire university
- Eligibility: open to any matriculated PGT or PGR student in good standing.
- PGT President
- Academic Representation Role
- One position for the the entire university
- Eligibility: open to any matriculated PGT student in good standing.
- PGR President
- Academic Representation Role
- One position for the the entire university
- Eligibility: open to any matriculated PGR student in good standing.
- PG International Students Officer
- Academic Representation Role
- One position for the the entire university
- Eligibility: open to any matriculated PGT or PGR student in good standing who has an International Student fee status.
- PG Distance and Part-Time Students Officer
- Academic Representation Role
- One position for the the entire university
- Eligibility: open to any matriculated PGT or PGR student in good standing who lives outside of St Andrews or studies Part Time.
- PG Graduate Teaching Students Officer
- Academic Representation Role
- One position for the the entire university
- Eligibility: open to any matriculated PGR student in good standing who has current, previous, or scheduled Graduate Teaching or Lab Supervision responsibilities.
- PGT Rep and PGR Rep
- Academic Representation Role
- Position names and number vary by School/Department
To be eligible to stand for a PG Representative position, a student must meet the criteria indicated by the name of the role. For example, a student would need to be in a Taught Programme and enrolled in the School of English to be able to stand for the PGT English Rep role. See above for the eligibility for other roles.
Find out more about the postgraduate representation system.
Frequently Asked Questions (Postgraduate)
What does a PG Rep do?
PG Representatives serve as the voice for their peers on all academic matters. PG Reps work to gather and synthesise student feedback and work with staff to make changes within their programmes and schools. PG Reps are essential advocates for students on key issues such as supervision quality, feedback, and teaching quality.What does the workload or time commitment look like for being a PG Rep?
PG Representatives are generally expected to volunteer no more than three hours per week. Often, the time commitment is lower, around one hour per week. This time is built around representatives’ schedules and is not fixed on a weekly basis. Representatives serve from October until the following October (12 months).Who is eligible to run in these elections?
Ordinary members of the Students’ Association (i.e., students who have not opted out of the Students’ Association under the Education Act 1994) shall be eligible to stand and vote in these elections. This means all matriculated postgraduate students can run and/or vote in the elections.Why do PG Elections take place later than undergraduate ones?
PGR students do not matriculate until the end of September. To ensure that everyone is eligible to stand for the right roles and to vote for their representatives, PGT and PGR students vote together in one central election in early October of each year.What materials will I need to nominate myself for the role of PG Rep?
The nominations portal will ask you to submit a recent photograph of yourself (preferably a headshot) as well as a brief description of any relevant experience and why you think you would be an effective representative. Candidates are asked to provide contact information, though this is not displayed to voters. All of this information is submitted via the nominations section of the Elections Portal.Am I eligible to be a PG Rep if I hold another leadership role?
Yes! PG Representatives may hold other positions, in Societies, Union Subcommittees, and external organisations.What support/training will I get as a PG Rep?
All elected PG Reps will receive a formal training session from the Students’ Association; this will include information about their role, about the meetings they attend, and how to escalate issues up to other people. PG Reps are also given access to a comprehensive Microsoft Teams area, where they can ask questions and interact with Academic Representation leadership, and collaborate on shared issues/events with other reps. Reps also receive a formal handover report from their predecessor to guide them in their new role. The Students’ Association also has several staff members, such as the Director of Education, the Academic Representation Coordinator, and the Education Advocate who are able to help prepare and guide Class Reps.Who do PG Representatives report to?
Postgraduate Taught and Research Representatives report to the PGT President and PGR President respectively.I think I’ve voted but I’m not sure. How can I check?
You should receive a confirmation email from the Elections Service. If you do not see this in your St Andrews email, you can log back into the Elections Portal to ensure you have submitted your ballot. If you still need help, contact [email protected].Who can I talk to if I have more questions?
Email [email protected].Find out more and follow along!