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:
Mid-Tier Committees
- Academic, Quality and Governance Committee
- Human Research Ethics Committee
- Curriculum Partnerships Committee
- Qualifications and Assessment Committee
- Student Experience Committee
Access and Open
- Access and Open Academic Committee Learning Teaching and Assessment
- Access Board of Studies
- Open Board of Studies
Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences
- Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences Academic Committee Learning Teaching Assessment
- Arts and Humanities Board of Studies
- Social Sciences and Global Studies Board of Studies
- Psychology and Counselling Board of Studies
Faculty of Business and Law
- Faculty of Business and Law Academic Committee Learning Teaching and Assessment
- Undergraduate Business Board of Studies
- Law Board of Studies
- Master's Business Board of Studies
Faculty of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics
- Faculty of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics Academic Committee Learning Teaching and Assessment
- Computing and Communications Board of Studies
- Engineering and Innovation Board of Studies
- Environment, Earth and Ecosystems Board of Studies
- Maths and Statistics Board of Studies
- Physical Sciences Board of Studies
- Life, Health and Chemical Sciences Board of Studies
Faculty of Wellbeing, Education and Language Studies
- Faculty of Wellbeing, Education and Language Studies Academic Committee Learning Teaching and Assessment
- Education, Childhood, Youth and Sports Board of Studies
- Health, Wellbeing and Social Care Board of Studies
- Languages and Applied Linguistics Board of Studies
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.
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 Sunday, 25th May 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
Want to find out more before applying?
Interested in becoming a Student Rep, but want to find out more before applying?
Join us for a short information session where you can ask questions about the role and the application process.
Thursday 17 April 2025 – 1200-1230
Tuesday 29 April 2025 – 1200-1230
Wednesday 14 May 2025 – 1800-1830
Thursday 22 May 2025 – 1000-1030
To continue an application in progress, please visit your Volunteer Profile