Student reps

What is a student representative?

Student Representatives play a vital part in the School's operations. They provide a “voice for students”, which does not only mean talking on behalf of their class; it is about bringing issues to light, supporting fellow students and identifying and solving problems. Student Representatives (reps) are actively involved in:

Gathering feedback from fellow students
Attending a variety of meetings, drop-in sessions and forums
Communicating the student voice to School staff and working alongside the AMBS IAG team to ensure implementation of feedback
Communicating with fellow students to help improve the student experience
Promoting active student involvement in programme development

Being a Student Representative gives you the opportunity to develop your communication skills, ability to listen, and practice the art of diplomacy and assertiveness. The role brings networking opportunities too.

All AMBS programmes have at least one rep to act as the representative for their particular programme for one academic year.

What is the role of a student representative?

AMBS Undergraduate Reps will sit on their relevant Programme Committees and the UG Student Staff Liaison Committees. We ask for a second or final year rep to act as chair for the Staff Student Liaison Committee (SSLC). As far as possible, these meetings will be held on a Wednesday afternoon to avoid teaching times.

Reps will be expected to have ongoing contact with their class mates via a number of methods. AMBS would like to hear what’s going well and can be done more often and what isn’t going so well and can be improved.

Administrators can also help to establish small drop-in sessions for reps to meet their cohort in a relaxed setting with refreshments.

We ask that reps visit their the AMBS IAG team periodically for an informal discussion about their role as a rep and to discuss any issues that may be easily resolved outside of the committee meetings. The AMBS IAG team will also want to hear what views reps have gathered from their fellow students.

What training is available?

Once elected, all our Undergraduate and Postgraduate reps will attend a training session run by AMBS staff and the Students’ Union in October. This training will cover how to gather feedback, working with staff, feeding back to your cohort and how to raise issues with staff or in meetings. AMBS staff can also give you more insight into specific School practices. Here reps will have the chance to mix with each other as well as the School staff they will be working with.

What personal qualities are required?

Each rep will bring their own personalities and qualities to the role. Reps should be personable and able to approach a diverse body of students and staff in a friendly and professional manner. Reps will need to be enthusiastic to engage their cohort and be able to communicate effectively to students and staff in writing and verbally.

Remember – if you’re in it just for a tick on a CV, this will be evident. Engagement is paramount.

What are the benefits for student representatives?

Representatives have the opportunity to improve University life for themselves and their fellow students. They will also gain the opportunity to learn and develop certain skills often viewed by employers as key for recruiting.

Reps learn about putting their point across effectively when contacting students or preparing information for meetings and the importance of effective listening in order to gain the full picture of situations.

Reps make contacts that can be useful in a personal and academic capacity. Reps have the opportunity to make connections with other students that may prove most beneficial in the future.

Reps develop good time management and organisational skills so that they balance studies with their responsibilities.

Reps make a difference and can be proud of their achievements!

How are representatives supported?

There is a dedicated Student Rep Coordinator for both Undergraduate and Postgraduate students who will help to guide reps from their first enquiries into the role, to nomination and throughout the academic year. The AMBS IAG team will play a big role in supporting reps. Programme Directors will also have regular communication with reps. The Students’ Union offer a number of support points and of course reps can help each other.

All Alliance MBS student representatives receive a certificate in recognition of their role provided they attend all meetings.

How can I become a representative?

Applications to become an AMBS student representative is held via the UOM Students’ Union. Deadline to apply is Thursday, 28 September 2023 at 12 noon.

UG committees with student representation

In AMBS the main undergraduate-related committees are the Undergraduate Committee, the Programme Committees and the Student-Staff Liaison Committee. There is also an Undergraduate group that reports into the Undergraduate Committee.