Academic Reps are students who have volunteered or been selected to represent their cohort's voice on issues surrounding academics and community.
The core function of an Academic Rep is representing students by listening to and collecting feedback through conversations and surveys. Reps then take this feedback to relevant meetings such as Student Staff Committees (SSCs)* where they work alongside staff members to take action on feedback to improve students experience.
*Student Voice Committees (SVCs) in the Business School and Student Staff Liason Committees (SSLCs) in the Medical School
Interested in being a rep?
We will be accepting volunteers for any empty Course Rep positions on a first come first serve basis - plese email su-repteam@leicester.ac.uk to see if there's a space for you, and to volunteer if there is!
What do they do?
Academic Reps are an integral part of the Students’ Union and University community. They play a vital role in improving the student experience. Reps attend a range of feedback based events and the Student Leaders conference to gain valuable skills and mentoring that employers are looking for.
They attend meetings with staff at every level of the university governance structure and work together to make sure student voice is heard in decision making covering a range of topics, e.g:
- Teaching styles
- Learning environments
- Student experience
- Protected student experience
- Liberation group student experience
- Curriculum creation and development
- and so much more...
The Academic Rep Team at the SU are here to support Reps when doing this and make sure that they have the skills and support to achieve successes in their roles.
PGR College Reps work to represent the views of the PGRs in their College, sitting on high level University Committees and making wider-ranging positive change in conjuction with the PGR Reps.
Why become an Academic Rep?
What are the benefits?
- Improve your course, department or school
- Network with students across the University
- Build strong working relationships with the staff in your department and the wider University
- Gain experience attending formal meetings with senior staff, including the Academic Rep Forums
- Improve your negotiation, compromise and communication skills
- Complete the Accrediation and have evidence of your skills and a £50 gift voucher or be a paid student staff member of the SU
What support do you recieve?
Academic Reps receive a comprehensive in person training for their role, with online options for students who need it. Alongside the training you recieve a series of documents to reference as needed. The Academic Representation Team are available year round to support you in making change, with regular newsletters and other circulated resources. We also recieve the action logs/minutes from SSCs(/SSLCs/SVCs), to provide you support as we see possible issues arise.
School and College Reps also recieve further support and guidance between major meetings and have 1-to-1 support in their role.
What is the Course Rep Accreditation?
The Accreditation is your evidence that you were a Rep. This is a chance to be recognised for your hard work and achievements, and provides you with a certificate as evidence of your role. It has three levels (pass, merit and distinction), each with their own requirements.
To achieve a pass, you will need to complete the core training; attend the majority of core meetings; and submit the majority of their checkpoints (these are forms submitted 4 times throughout the year to track progress in the role).
If you achieve a pass accreditation or higher you will recieve a £50 gift voucher as a reward for your hard work!
What kinds of rep do we have and how do you get involved?
Have a look at the descriptions below to learn more about each role.
This is also where you will find the Course Rep Sign Up Form and the School Rep Appliction Form, if we are recruiting.
Course Representatives
Course Reps work with staff and students on quality control and enhancements to their course. They are expected to:
- Complete required online training
- Gather feedback from students and formulate solutions
- Attend Student-Staff Committee Meetings to liaise with staff on solutions
- Submit regular 'Checkpoints', to keep track of the work you have completed as a Course Rep
Although course reps are volunteers, there are some rewards available for those who complete their training and accreditation, including a hoody and a token of gratitude (£50 voucher) at the end of the year, if they pass their Accreditation (complete the above tasks).
To become a Course Rep we have a simple sign up form which becomes live for each of our intakes to apply. See below for the sign up windows:
- January intake students: 9am 6th January - 9am 29th January 2025
- April intake students: tbc
Once the sign up windows have ended, we will run elections on any of the roles which have more sign ups than positions available and accept any students who sign up for roles which have the same amount of sign ups as positions available or less.
If an election is needed, information will go out to all candidates and relevant staff members before the voting begins.
If the sign up window has ended and there is no one in the role we will accept volunteers on a first come, first served basis.
Email su-repteam@le.ac.uk for more information!
School Representatives
As a School Representative you will act as a champion for the student voice within your academic school, working alongside Course Representatives, College Representatives and Students’ Union/University staff to enhance the student experience of students within your School.
Once in position, they become part-time student staff of the Students' Union and are expected to work a maximum of 45 hours across the academic year. They are paid £11.44 an hour, plus holiday pay.
School Reps are expected to:
- Complete required training sesions
- Host a series of events with the support of SU staff
- Gather feedback for and attend Student-Staff Committee Meetings
- Sit on School Education Committees, attending pre-meeting briefings and submitting post-meeting reports
- Work and meet regularly with student leaders and staff within their School
You can find the full role description here
To become a School Rep, there is an application and interview process. No CV or cover letter is necessary. Applications for 24/25 School Rep recruitment are now closed.
Email su-repteam@le.ac.uk for more information!
College Representatives
As a College Representative you will act as a champion for the student voice within your academic College, working alongside Course Representatives, School Reps and Students’ Union/University staff to enhance the student experience of students within your College.
Once in position, they become part-time student staff of the Students' Union. They work up to 10 hours per week, and are paid £11.44 an hour, plus holiday pay.
College Reps are expected to:
- Complete required training sesions
- Host a series of events with the support of SU staff
- Gather feedback for and attend College and University level committee meetings
- Regularly meet with the Education Officer, SU and University staff to provide updates and feedback
- Work and meet regularly with student leaders and staff within their College
You can find the full role description here
To become a College Rep, there is an application and interview process. No CV or cover letter is necessary.
The 2024/25 College Reps have already been recruited but we will be recruting the 2025/26 College Reps in April.
Email su-repteam@le.ac.uk for more information!
PGR (Post-Graduate Research) Reps
PGR Reps represent their subject areas, meeting with their PGR Tutors and other staff in their departments, to ensure that the PGR experience is as positive as possible.
Click here for the PGR College Rep Role Description
PGR Reps are recruited differently for each School so check with your PGR Tutor or email su-repteam@le.ac.uk for more information
PGR (Post-Graduate Research) College Reps
As a PGR College Representative you will act as a champion for the PGR student voice within your academic College, working alongside the PGR Reps and Students’ Union/University staff to enhance the PGR experience within your College.
Once in position, they become part-time student staff of the Students' Union. They are paid £11.44 an hour, plus holiday pay.
PGR College Reps are expected to:
- Complete required training sesions
- Host a series of events with the support of SU staff
- Gather feedback for and attend University level committee meetings
- Regularly meet with the Education Officer, SU and University staff to provide updates and feedback
- Work and meet regularly with PGR Reps and staff within their College
Click here for the PGR College Rep Role Description
To become a PGR College Rep, there is an application and interview process. No CV or cover letter is necessary.
PGR College Reps are recruited whenever a current PGR College Rep steps down so keep an eye on your emails to see when a position becomes available
Email su-repteam@le.ac.uk for more information!