Student representatives – a guide to the Office for Students
What student representatives can do
This page lists some of the key things that student representatives need to know about our regulation in order to help their student communities.
1. Harassment and sexual misconduct - help students understand how they are protected
Student representatives can help their student communities to understand how they are protected from harassment and sexual misconduct and what they can expect.
Universities and colleges must have effective policies to prevent harassment and sexual misconduct and ways to address it if it occurs. This includes publishing all policies and procedures at a single location, taking steps to protect students and protecting students from conflicts of interest or abuses of power.
We have created some printable posters and social media images that student representatives can use to raise awareness among students about what they can expect.
2. Champion students’ consumer rights
Student representatives can also help student communities to understand their rights as 'consumers'.
Many universities and colleges are facing financial challenges. This means it is more important than ever that they are well governed and that they treat students fairly.
Under our requirements, universities and colleges must comply with consumer protection law. They should provide up-front and clear information about things like course costs and contacts hours. When they study, any terms and conditions that apply to students must be fair and balanced.
3. Teaching quality – help students to understand what they should expect and to be heard
Here, student representatives can help the students they represent in several ways:
- Course quality
As in other areas, universities and colleges must meet minimum requirements for the quality of their courses. Student representatives can help students to understand what they should expect from their university or college in terms of a high quality academic experience. - Teaching Excellence Framework
The Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF) is a ratings scheme which encourages universities and colleges to deliver an excellent experience and outcomes for their students. Student representatives have an important role to play in gathering evidence for TEF assessments and as assessors. - National Student Survey
Student representatives can help to inform improvements to student experiences by encouraging students to complete the National Student Survey (NSS). By completing the survey, students can make it clear what is - and isn't - working for them.
4. Promote equal opportunities
Student representatives can work with their universities and colleges and their student community to help students from all backgrounds access the benefits of higher education.
If a university or college wants to charge its students more than £6,000 in tuition fees, then it must agree a plan with us that explains how it will address inequalities.
Universities and colleges should involve their students when they develop these 'access and participation plans'.
Student representatives can make sure that students input into these plans and that the institution does what it says it will.
5. Keep up to date with free speech
Universities and colleges must take 'reasonably practicable' steps to secure freedom of speech within the law for their students, staff, members and visiting speakers.
Student representatives are central to exposing students to a range of views and should work with their universities to encourage and ensure free speech.
Students should have a high tolerance for all kinds of speech - so long as it is lawful.
6. Notify us
Universities and colleges which are registered with the Office for Students must meet certain requirements.
If students, staff or members of the public believe that a university or college is not meeting these requirements, they can send us a notification.
Please note: a notification is different from a complaint. Notifications concern our remit as a regulator.
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