Student Representatives play an invaluable role in shaping the student experience at the Open University. We welcome all students who are passionate about using their thoughts, ideas and experiences to make a positive difference for the wider student community now and in the future!
In this role, you will work with a team of volunteers to attend meetings that are held by the Open University to promote the presence of the student voice throughout each level of governance. We welcome applications from all students. We have vacancies in the following areas:
We have vacancies in the following areas:
- Research Committee
- Research Degrees Committee
- Academic Research Committee (all faculties)
*You need to be a Post Graduate Research Student to apply for these roles.
A successful Student Representative will:
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Become a full member of the committee that they are appointed to with the ability to comment, ask questions and where appropriate raise issues to that committee. For more information about the individual committees, please see the committee descriptions and chart.
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Before the meeting, you will be sent meeting papers to read in advance. There will also be an opportunity to discuss these papers in advance with other Student Representatives and Open SU, in accordance with confidentiality.
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Some papers are highly confidential, so you will be required to adhere to a Confidentiality Agreement for Student Representatives.
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Effectively close the feedback loop by communicating contributions and outcomes to students and fellow Representatives. Attend the Student Voice Monthly Online Forum (optional attendance)
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Keep up to date and get involved with the Student Rep community.
To be eligible for this opportunity you must:
Be a member of Open SU to apply. All registered OU students are automatically members according to our Articles of Association.
Be studying a qualification relevant to the committee you are applying for. Please see the Committee Chart and Committee Descriptions.
Commitment
Student Representatives can volunteer for a term of 12 or 24 months. Terms will start on 1 September 2025. Most committees meet 4 times per year during the working day.
For each meeting, you should allow:
In addition to the meetings, you may choose to get involved with the Student Representative community:
Details of training offered
As a Student Representative, you will be required to complete a training program designed to support both your introduction and ongoing development in the role. To carry out the role, you must complete the full onboarding and introductory training, which is expected to take place in August 2025 through video recordings and live welcome sessions.
We offer a dedicated induction programme for all new Student Representatives which will include:
Introduction to Volunteering with Open SU, which includes a suite of core training:
We will also invite you to join online community spaces where you can access support and advice from other Student Representatives as well as the Student Voice team.
You may also express an interest and on occasion be invited to get involved in other areas where your Student Voice is valued. E.g. (Non-governance groups, discussion forums (consultations from PVC students) and Faculty based projects/working groups.
Location
This role can be carried out online, so it can be fulfilled anywhere if you have an internet connection however some meetings may be held in person with sufficient notice. All reasonable expenses incurred in relation to the attendance of committee meetings will be reimbursed.
The opportunity closes at 11:59pm on 30 November 2025
All volunteers sign an Open SU Volunteer Policy and volunteer within the Open SU Volunteer Agreement.
If you have any queries or require the application form in an alternative format, please contact oustudents-voice@open.ac.uk
To continue an application in progress, please visit your Volunteer Profile