► Course Reps

Welcome to the Course Representative page. Are you looking for something different to improve your skills for your future job?  Then here's the place for you! In this page, there is a variety of information about the Course Representation system, the benefits of becoming a course rep, and how being a Representative can enable you to improve your course and the overall student experience.

What is course rep? Who can be a course rep?

Anyone can be a course rep in their own course/department; Course Reps are students who are elected by their peers to represent all students on their particular course. He/she is in post for one year but has the opportunity to be re-elected the following year. 

What exactly does a course rep do?

A course rep provides consistent, well-informed opinion about the quality of teaching and learning on their course, and also on the overall student experience gained whilst at the University.

 Main roles of a course rep are:

•  To take complaints, queries, ideas, and suggestions from their course/department to the department and faculty meetings.
•  To endeavour to ensure students are getting what they expect from their course/department.
•  To provide academic staff and the university with a balanced view from the student body, on the quality and standard of the education and services being provided, and where improvements are needed.
•  To refer students to the student union education and welfare officer or advice centre where they have specific issues they want to raise. 

Why should I want to be a course rep? - The benefit of being a course rep!

•  Training sessions set by Student Union to teach you important and valuable skills such as how to participate in meetings, and how to best represent peers. 
•  You will get a certificate at the end of the academic year as proof of your work.
•  The experience can be used as a learning opportunity to gain important skills, such as being assertive, communicating, listening, public speaking, time management, stress management, lobbying, negotiation, being a team member, referral skills, confidentiality, report writing.
•  These skills are transferable and you'll find that they will prove useful whatever profession you end up working in.
•  Finally, being a course rep looks excellent on your CV as it shows you are willing to take on and deal with responsibility.

 Information for being a Course Rep

1.      What is a Course Representative?

2.      Role & Responsibility of a Course Representative!

3.      The issues: what am I likely to deal with and how?

4.      Who are Course Reps accountable to?

5.      Benefits: Why would I want to be a Course Rep?

6.      Word from Career Officer at University of Plymouth!

Course Representatives

Course Representatives are the vital link between students and staff ensuring that the student voice is heard and that the university is student driven. It is a great way to...

•  Affect decisions made about your education - consult with course mates to get their views on issues affecting them.
  

•  Develop effective working relationships with the teaching staff.
  
•  Develop interpersonal skills for yourself and prospective employers - e.g. problem solving, communication, negotiation skills and working with others.
  
•  Work with other course reps to negotiate improvements for students.
  
  

The Unions role with course reps is to help and support them by providing training and being a resource to help with any issues that arise. From time to time we also ask the course representative for feedback on issues and papers that are going on in the University and its committees. As a Union we are working with the University to try and improve the University and what you as students are receiving.

Find out who Your Course Representatives are HERE

Find out about Course Representative Accountability HERE

Find out about the Benefits of being a Course Representative HERE

For any enquires, problems with your course or support please email: vpedandwelfare@su.plymouth.ac.uk