Academic Representation

Your academic representatives’ core role is to represent your voice by gathering your feedback and ensuring it’s heard, valued and acted upon. Your reps work with Falmouth University and the University of Exeter to improve your university experience.
Students talking and taking notes at The Big Rep Meeting
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Academic Representation

During your time at University, you may have feedback on your course that would improve your student experience. Academic reps work with their university to share this feedback and make positive changes. This section provides you with more information on who your reps are, what they do and how you can become a rep yourself!

What are Academic Reps?

Academic representatives are students elected or appointed to represent their peers in discussions with university staff. Their role is to voice student concerns, provide feedback on academic matters, and help improve the overall educational experience. They act as a bridge between the student body and academic staff, ensuring that students' needs and opinions are considered in decision-making processes.

Reps at Falmouth University

At Falmouth University, your Academic Rep system is made up of Course Reps and Department Reps.

Course Reps represent their peers’ views within a specific course, and every year group on every course has at least one course rep.

Department Reps represent their peers’ views across the whole department, and lead Student-Staff Liaison Group (SSLG) meetings that students and academic staff attend.

To find out more about how your university representation system works, check out our Falmouth Rep System page.

Reps at the University of Exeter (Cornwall)

 

 

At the University of Exeter (Cornwall), your Academic Rep system is made up of Course Reps, EDI Reps and Subject Chairs.

Course Reps represent their peers’ views within a specific course, and every year group on every course has at least one course rep.

EDI reps represent students on matters specifically relating to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion on your course.

Subject Chairs represent their peers’ views across the whole subject area, and lead Student-Staff Liaison Committee (SSLC) meetings that students and academic staff attend.

You may also encounter portfolio reps who have a focus on specific areas of your course, such as employability or studying abroad.

To find out more about how your university representation system works, check out our Exeter Rep System page.

 

I Want to Become a Rep!

If you're interested in getting involved and playing a part in ensuring the student voice is heard on your course, you can check out our page on how to become an Academic Rep:

Become a Rep

I'm Already a Rep

Already a rep? We've compiled a selction of digital resources and training materials to help you with your role! You can find the rep hub here:

Rep Hub

Further Information For Students

If you're not interested in becoming a rep yourself, but are interested in (or confused by...) how the rep system works, check out the frequently asked questions below!
 

Who is my rep and how do I give them feedback?

You can use our Find My Rep tool to find out who the course reps are in your year group and send them an email with your feedback. Your reps should also be reaching out to you to ask for feedback throughout the year!

Find My Rep Tool

What do course reps do with my feedback?

Course reps collect and analyse student feedback on various aspects of your course, such as teaching quality, assessment methods, and learning resources. They then communicate this feedback to your academic staff team. Their goal is to ensure that student concerns are addressed and that the course continuously improves based on student input. Course reps also work to find solutions to any issues raised to them by their course cohorts, and keep students informed about the actions taken by staff in response to their feedback.

I'm having problems with my rep, what can I do?

At the SU, we work hard to ensure our reps are fully trained and equipped with the skills they need to represent their students. However, we recognise that things don’t always go to plan. If you are concerned about the wellbeing or general conduct of one of your academic representatives, please don’t hesitate to contact us at studentvoice@thesu.org.uk and we will work with you to informally address the matter.

I have a question you haven't answered here...

If you have a question about your reps or your university's representation system that this page hasn't answered, please get in touch with us at studentvoice@thesu.org.uk. We'd be happy to help!

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