Academic Reps

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About

So, what does a Student Rep do?

Put simply, Student Reps are the link between you and your School. They’re here to collate your feedback, communicate your views to the University and Students' Union and work with staff to make improvements to your education.

That’s not to say all students can’t approach their lecturers or Faculty staff if they have an issue or a suggestion, however Student Reps sit on University committees so can take your feedback directly to staff and work on solutions to improve your experience.

All Reps receive training and the opportunity to attend specialist workshops. Not only is it great for your CV it’s also a really rewarding role!

Sound like something you’d be good at?

Stand now to be a Rep!

You don’t need to have any experience, just a passion for improving the student experience at Swansea University.

Subject Reps are elected positions, but don’t worry, it’s actually a really easy process. All you need to do is log onto this website, then put your name forward with a manifesto and photo. Your manifesto is a short statement explaining why you would make a great Rep.

Subject Reps also work closely with the Students’ Union and University to support crucial campaigns such as StudyAid and the Big Swansea Survey.

The ideal candidates will be passionate, hardworking, reliable, and keen to make a difference. Do some of the below criteria fit you?:

  • Want to be part of a supportive, inclusive and fun community
  • Passionate about representing and helping others
  • Think it’s important for the student voice to be heard across the University
  • Would like to gain transferable skills to use in your CV
  • Keen to make new friends and meet like-minded people
  • Want to make a positive impact on the student Experience

A School Rep is an elected individual who works closely with Subject Reps to represent all students in their School. They’re supported by Students’ Union Education Officer, the Student Voice Team, and key University staff to make a real difference to the Swansea experience and ensure the student voice is represented.

School Reps attend meetings with staff in their School, the Students’ Union, and they even contribute to important University-level committees.

School Reps also work closely with the Students’ Union and University to support crucial campaigns such as StudyAid and the Big Swansea Survey.

The ideal candidates will be passionate, hardworking, reliable, and keen to make a difference.

If you’d like some more info, take a look at the School Rep Role Specification and the School Rep Person Specification.

For full details about the role of a rep, check out our current guide below or get in touch via hello.swansea-union.co.uk

From Your Officer

Hey, my name is Michelle and I’m your Education Officer. I am a business management graduate and a former black and minority part-time officer at the student union. My priority for this year is making sure that the REP system is very efficient by ensuring that the Reps play their roles accordingly. I also aim to continue to improve the student's university experience by ensuring that refreshers week remains, and making sure that students have a say in the academics of this university.

Find Your Rep

News

Khushbu Nayer is February's ROTM

Thomas Katsaitis is November's ROTM

Introducting ... Rep of the Month!

 

FAQS

So, what is a Rep?

Reps are elected to represent students' views on their education and overall experience. Reps can raise feedback on a wide variety of topics such as the suitability of your lecture room, or if the course content is enjoyable. To do this Reps will speak to relevant staff members in either the university or union.

 
Why should I be a Rep?

  • It’s good for your CV and gives you something to talk about in interviews – you’ll develop extra skills like how to give a presentation or work as part of a team
  • You’ll have the opportunity to attend bespoke workshops
  • You’ll get to make a difference for your classmates
  • You’ll have the opportunity to win ‘Rep of the Month’ as well as ‘Rep of the Year’
  • You’ll receive Rep freebies!
  • You’ll be the voice of your classmates
 
What happens if no one stands for my cohort?

If no one stands to be a rep in your cohort but you would like to do it, after the election finishes email hello@swansea-union.co.uk saying you'd like to apply. Don’t forget to include your name, student number, course and year.

 
The Election Process & How to Stand

Subject Reps are elected positions. This means you must be elected via popular vote of your cohort.

Standing is quick and easy. Make sure you are logged in to the SU website. Then put your name forward with a short manifesto and photo. Your manifesto is a short statement explaining why you would make a great Rep.

Your classmates will need to visit www.Swansea-union.co.uk/elections in order to cast their vote. After the election has concluded the votes will be counted and all candidates will be informed of the results.

For most courses that commence in September the elections period will occur in October. If your course begins in January your elections period will be in February. If your course begins in March your elections period will be in April. If your course starts outside these times we’ll typically try and run the election within three to four weeks of teaching beginning.

 
What meetings do Reps attend?

There are two main meetings School Reps attend:

Student Staff Forums (SSFs) – Each School has its own SSF. Basically, it's the place for Reps and staff to chat about feedback they've had from classmates. These happen at least once a term.

Board of Studies (BoS) - The BoS looks at the content of courses and approves any changes that need to be made. Reps attend these with academics from the Uni. The Board of Studies meet on a termly basis.

Student Forums – Run by the Students’ Union to bring the wants and needs of the students to the higher level possible. You’ll have the opportunity to vote on key matters about your student experience and your elected officers to account. There are usually 3 of these a year.

Students’ Union Annual General Meeting – The Annual General Meeting (AGM) occurs once a year and is an opportunity for the Union to explain what impact it is having. Your elected officers and trustees will update you on the finances of the Union and you’ll have the opportunity to vote on motions that have been submitted.

 
Who do Reps work with?

  • The Students’ Union's Education Officer
  • The Students’ Union's Student Voice Team
  • Other Reps and students
  • Staff in your School, specifically the Student Engagement Partners (SEPs)
  • Staff in your Faculty, specifically Student Experience and Engagement Officer (SEEOs)
  • Other university staff as necessary e.g., library staff
 
What's the difference between a Subject Rep and a School Rep?

Subject Reps represent students on their course, taking any feedback (positive or negative) to the department to make sure it gets sorted. If anything becomes a bigger issue or is relevant to the whole School, the School Reps will then assist and may work with the Education Officer to get it sorted.

There are hundreds of Subject Reps as there are hundreds of courses. There are 2 undergraduate and 1 postgraduate taught School Reps per School. There are 11 Schools in total across the 3 faculties.

Being a School Rep involves greater commitment including attending Education Committee monthly to share the most pressing issues with other School Reps and the Students’ Union. They are also expected to co-chair their Schools Student Staff Forum (SSF) and attend other university meetings as necessary – but this is not a full list of all their responsibilities! As a thank you for their hard work they are eligible to receive a £300 cash bursary at the end of the academic year.

 
Who can be a Rep?

Every course and every year group has at least 1 Subject Rep. Any student can stand for their relevant cohort. You don't need any experience, just some enthusiasm and a desire to make things better for other students.

 
 
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