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 Open University meetings to promote the student voice at every level of governance. We welcome applications from all Postgraduate research students. We have vacancies in the following areas:
We have vacancies in the following areas:
- Research Committee - one vacancy - (Part time PGR student)
- Research Degrees Committee - one vacancy - (Professional Doctorate Research Student)
- FASS Academic Research Committee - one vacancy
- FBL Academic Research Committee - two vacancies
- STEM Academic Research Committee - one vacancy
*You need to be a Postgraduate Research Student to apply for these roles.
A successful Student Representative will:
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.
Before the meeting, you will be sent the meeting papers to read in advance. There will also be an opportunity to talk about these papers beforehand with other Student Representatives and Open SU staff, in accordance with confidentiality.
Some papers are highly confidential, so you will be required to adhere to a Confidentiality Agreement for Student Representatives.
Effectively close the feedback loop by communicating contributions and outcomes to students and fellow Representatives. Attend the Student Voice Monthly Online Forum (optional attendance)
Keep up to date and get involved with the Student Rep community.
Be prepared to champion Open SU’s values, priorities and initiatives.
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
This Student Representatives term will last until 31st August 2027. Most committees meet 4 times per year during the working day.
For each meeting, you should allow:
A minimum of 3 hours to read your committee papers before the meeting.
A minimum of 30 minutes to meet with Open SU.
Up to 6 hours to attend the committee meeting.
At least 1 hour for feedback on the discussions of the meeting.
Travel time to Milton Keynes if meetings are held on campus - though most meetings are online or offer a hybrid option.
In addition to the meetings, you may choose to get involved with the Student Representative community:
By contributing to online discussions with other Student Representatives.
Attending the online Student Voice Forum once per month (1 hour).
Blogging about your experience on our online student magazine, The Hoot.
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, 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:
GDPR (keeping personal data secure)
Safeguarding (keeping young people and vulnerable adults safe)
PREVENT (our duty to prevent extremist radicalisation).
Your induction training programme will also provide in-depth information about:
The Student Voice - (‘How the Governance Structure Works’ and ‘What is Student Representation?’)
Guidance on reading papers for meetings
Support to access online spaces
Information and practical advice on getting started
We will also invite you to join online community spaces where you can access support and advice from other Student Representatives and 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 attending committee meetings will be reimbursed.
The opportunity closes at 11:59pm on 29th November 2026.
All volunteers sign the Open SU Volunteer Policy and agree to 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