Becoming a Programme Representative

Each academic year, and in some instances each term, the Centre recruits Programme Representatives. These representatives are the link between students and staff at subject or programme level, ensuring that the University is continuously listening and engaging with students to improve teaching, learning, assessment, and academic services.

What are the benefits of becoming a Programme Representative?

There are lots of great benefits to becoming a Programme Representative. These can include:

• making a positive contribution to the University by improving the student experience at the Centre for your peers
• receiving specialised training and ongoing support via the Student Representative Forum where all Programme Representatives are enrolled in Learn. The basic online training will help you understand how to represent students’ views democratically, be an effective student leader within the Students' Association, and work constructively with the University to solve problems and implement positive changes
• improving your leadership skills and employability by meeting expectations to earn recognition for your role, including Higher Education Achievement Report (HEAR) recognition and/or the Edinburgh Award for Representing Students.

For more details on being a Programme Representative please see the information on the Edinburgh University Student Association's (EUSA) website.

EUSA Website

What are the responsibilities of a Programme Representative?

As a Programme Representative, you will help resolve issues and take the lead in letting the Centre know how to do things better. You will:

• complete the specialised Programme Representative training facilitated by Edinburgh University Students’ Association
• get support from a dedicated member of staff at the Centre for Open Learning
• dedicate 3-5 hours per month to your Programme Representative responsibilities
• gather feedback from fellow students
• raise course-related issues with your Course or Programme Organiser
• attend and contribute to Student-Staff Liaison Committee meetings (usually one per term)
• contribute student ideas and offer comments on non-course issues
• feedback outcomes to the students you represent
• write an end-of-year report for the next Programme Representative
• meet other Programme Representatives at the Centre for Open Learning   
• gain valuable experience you can add to your CV

How do I apply to become a Programme Representative?

Applications for Programme Representatives for the academic year 19/20 have now closed.

You can find a list of Student-Staff Liaison Committee meeting dates on the 'Student-Staff Liaison Committee' page.

Student-Staff Liaison Committee