Academic Staff Introduction to Representation and Partnership at UWS
Learning objectives
During this module, staff will learn:
The purpose and services of the UWS Student Union
The importance of the staff role in relation to Student Representation and Partnership
Ways of engaging students in learning, teaching and student experience activities
Purpose and Services of the Student Union
Hover over the icon to find out more
Improve Learning and Teaching
Campaign with and for students
Offering Advice and Support
Enabling societies across all campuses
Organising Events and Activities
Student Representation
- Promote the rep system including recruitment of reps in classes
- Pass reps information to your School Enhancement Developer (or equivalent) for training and ongoing support from the Student Union
- Support reps to share feedback at meetings
- Liaise with reps outwith formal meetings
- Reach out to the Union with non course specific feedback
- Gather student opinion
- Provide feedback to staff and students
- Attend meetings relevant to their role to present student views
- Attend Student Council which sets Student Union policy
- Develop solutions to issues
- Pass issues on to the Student Union
How can Staff support Student Representation?
What do Reps do ?
Click here to visit the website for more information
Student Societies and Groups
- Societies are student-led groups which bring together students who have a shared interest or identity
- Academic, interest based, peer support and liberation
- Helps students make friends and feel part of UWS
- Helps students gain experience and develop their skills
- Promote the benefits of Societies, including community building
- Work with Academic Societies in enhancing the curriculum e.g. guest speakers, field trips, networking
- Signpost students to the Student Union for additional support and training
What do Societies do?
How can staff support Student Societies?
Click here to visit the website for more information
Advice Service
- Offer information and signposting, providing a free, confidential, impartial and independent service to all students at UWS
- Provide academic related and non academic advice
- Provide advocacy support e.g. disciplinary, academic integrity, Fitness to Practice
- Work closely with Professional Support departments
- Resit advice
- Extenuating circumstances
- Fitness to Practice
- Appeals, disciplinaries and complaints
- Personal issues and hate crimes
- Financial hardship
- Sexual health
UWS Staff can signpost students to the Union Advice Team for support
How do Advice Workers help students?
What do Advice Workers do?
Click here to visit the website for more information
Purpose and Services of the Student Union
Drag and drop the words
Student Representation Structure at UWS Academic Year 2026-27
The biggest group of reps at UWS, gathering opinions from fellow students studying on their course, also keeping Division reps up to date
*Democratic changes
Course Reps
Department Reps
Two Department Reps, talk to Course reps about what's happening in taught courses for their department and keep Faculty officers informed.
Faculty Officers
One Faculty Officer per Faculty (three in total represent taught students within each Faculty and work together with divisional reps and student presidents*
PGR Reps
One PGR Division Rep per division, one PGR Rep per School, one PGR Research and Innovation Committee Rep, one Doctoral College Board Rep and one PGR Senate Rep, all keeping student presidents informed
The Student Union President and Vice President Education are paid full time student leaders working at the highest levels of UWS.
Student Presidents
Click on the ICON to find out more
UWS Committee Structure
Click on the ICON to find out more
Click here to view the full UWS Committee Framework
Rep System Timeline
Nov/Dec
August
October
September
April
January
March
February
July
June
May
Course Rep elections
Training and Meetings activity
Hover over the Month to find out more
Student Union Activty
There may be variations to the timeline, please contact your School Admin Team for up to date information
Student Rep System
Importance and role of academic staff
- Explain the benefits of being a Rep
- Run an Election if places are contested (rep:student ratio 1:25)
- Holding elections
- Hands up in Class
- MS Form
- Automatic election if uncontested
- SED will inform the Union of Reps
- The Union will:
- Add reps to the dedicated MS Teams group
- Provide Rep Training
- Provide ongoing support
- SED's will invite Reps to the relevant meetings
Pass Reps details to your School Enhancement Developer (SED) or equivalent
Promote the Rep role and facilitate recruitment of reps in classes
Title
Title
Use this side to give more information about a topic.
Use this side to give more information about a topic.
Subtitle
Subtitle
- Reps make recommendations for change based on student feedback
- Programme Leaders and Module Co-ordinators work in partnership with Reps to implement changes (where possible)
- If something can't be changed, explain why and discuss alternative solutions
- The Representation Roadmap outlines the aims and purposes of the Rep System
- Staff Guidance for Student Representation provides information on recruiting Reps and is updated each year
- Contact the Student Union for support with recruitment or election of Reps
Title
Title
Support and Information for Staff
Liaise with Reps outwith formal meetings
Use this side to give more information about a topic.
Use this side to give more information about a topic.
Subtitle
Subtitle
Click here for more information on holding elections
Student Representation Resources
RepresentationRoadmap
Guide to Electing and Reporting Course Reps
Student Rep Engagement and Accountability Policy
Student Staff Meetings Expectations
Click on the icon to find out more
Supporting Student Representation
Partnership and Engagement Activities
- Use of GenAI for learning, teaching and assessments
- Choice in assessment methods
- Co design assessments
- Peer learning and group work
- Work with Reps to develop action plans from Student Survey results
- Create activities to facilitate discussions on improvements in the classroom
- Promote mechanisms for student feedback
- Support Academic Society activities
- Encourage Society involvement
- Enable activities for staff and students to build relationships
- Enable participation in University or Industry conferences and events
- Offer students pre-meetings or briefings
- Provide a 'jargon Buster'
- Invite student opinion during meetings
- Create 'Short-life Working Group' of staff and students for specific enhanements
Learning, Teaching and Assessment
Committees and Working Groups
Extra-curricular
Student Voice
Click here for best practice examples and case studies
Partnership and Engagement Resources
Click on the icon for more information
UWS Student Partnership Agreement
UWS Student Partnership Conference
Student Partnership at UWS
Student Engagement Guidance
UWS Student Partnership Conference
UWS Student Partnership Conference
Click on the section to find out more
Download all links here
Academic Staff Guidance
Co-design at UWS
Tertiary Quality Enhancement Framework
UWS Curriculum Framework
UWS Academic Quality Framework
UWS Learning Transformation
Partnership and Engagement Resources
Partnership and Engagement Resources
You have now completed the module
Please complete the Post Training Survey below
Thanks for completing Academic Staff Introduction to Representation and Partnership at UWS
Contact us here or visit our socials
Student Partnership Agreement
The Academic Development Toolkit is designed to raise ‘awareness of’ and ‘engagement with’ student partnership and its role within Scotland’s Tertiary Quality Enhancement Framework (TQEF). You can view the full toolkit activities and resources here: Academic Development Toolkit
Click here to view the spa
The Candidate Approval Committee ensure candidates for paid Officer roles have the experience required and can demonstrate their ability to represent student views confidently and clearly in a range of settings
Candidate Approval Committee
Faculty Officers (formerly School Officers) will be paid from academic year 2026-27
- One Faculty Officer per Faculty
- Elected during Term 1 2026-27
- 15 hours per week
- Scottish Living Wage
Faculty Officers
Click here for more details of our democratic changes from Academic Year 2026-27
UWS Learning Transformation
Learning Transformation works with the four Schools, and various professional service departments of the University to drive learning and teaching enhancement that supports the success of all UWS students. The department works alongside the Quality Enhancment and Standards Team (QuEST0, to provide the UWS community with a holistic end-to-end enhancement experience.
Click here to visit the staff intranet site
The Rep Engagement and Accountability Policy outlines the expectations of all Student Reps and support mechanisms in undertaking their role.
- Course reps are members of Student Staff Liaison Group
- Divisional Reps are members of Divisional Programme Boards
- School Officers are members of School Board
- Each level of representation feeds up and down
SSLG, DPB and School Board
Student Partnership Agreement
The Student Partnership Agreement outlines the areas in which UWS, and the Students’ Union will work together in partnership to enhance the student learning experience
Click here to view the spa
SEC and SPF
Student Member of Learning and Teaching Committee:
- Student Union Vice Presdient Education
Student Members of Academic Quality Committee
- Student Union Vice Presdient Education
- One School Officer from each School
LTC and AQC
Student members of Student Experience Committee:
- Student Union Vice President Education
- Student Union Vice President Welfare and Wellbeing
Student members of Student Partnership Forum:
- Course Reps / Division Reps
- Society Conveners
Academic Quality Framework
The AQF is UWS's prime delivery mechanism for the Tertiary Quality Enhancement Framework (TQEF) in Scotland. It underpins our shared responsibility for maintaining and enhancing quality and academic standards allowing our students to thrive and succeed.
Click here to view the framework
UWS Curriculum Framework
The Curriculum Framework forms part of the Universities Learning and Teaching Thematic Plan, outlining key curriculum design principles of student centred, engaging and active, simple and coherent, authentic, inclusive and sustainable.
Click here to view the framework
The Staff Guidance for Electing and Reporting Student Representatives document outlines the activities required of Programme Leaders in electing Course Reps as well as information on the wider Representation Structure. This document is updated each Academic Year.
The Student Staff Meetings Expectations Document outlines the shared expectations and responsibilities during meetings between Student Representatives and Staff.
Scotland’s Tertiary Quality Enhancement Framework (TQEF) is the tertiary education sector’s new approach to quality assurance and enhancement. It is used to give assurance on academic standards, the quality of the student experience and ensure accountability for public investment in learning and teaching.
Click here to visit the website for further information
University Senate
Student members of Senate:
- Student Union Presient
- Student Union Vice President Education
- Student Union Vice President Welfare and Wellbeing
- One Post Graduate Research Student
Student members of Court:
- Student Union Presient
- Student Union Vice President Education
University Court
Methods for electing Course Reps
Hands up in Class: Best used when there are less Reps than places avaliable
- e.g. If you have 4 rep places, but only 3 candidates, this enables students to have a choice.
MS Form: Best used when you have more candidates than positions available
- e.g. If you have 4 rep places, but 5 candidates, MS Forms can be designed for multi choice response, the student who receives the lowest number of 'votes' is not elected.
Automatic Election: Best used if there is no contention
- e.g. if you have a returning Rep and no other student steps forward to be considered.
Student members of Research and Innovation Committee:
- Student Union Vice President Education
- One Post Graduate Research Student
Student members of Doctoral Collage Board:
- Two Post Graduate Research Students
RIC and DCB
SPARQS Resource Library
SPARQS - Student Partnership in Quality Scotland - work across Tertiary Education to support and enhance student representation, partnership and engagement in the quality of learning and the student experience. SPARQS Resource LIbrary is a growing list of practical examples, case studies, research and toolkits aimed to develop and enhance partnership and engagement activities across the Tertiary Sector.
Visit the SPARQS Resource Library by clicking here
UWS Student Partnership Conference
The Student Partnership Conference is held annually, the first was held in 2025. The Conference brings together students and staff from across the institution to discuss and strengthen partnership activities.
Find out more about the conference here
sparqs (student partnerships in quality Scotland) is an agency which, as our name suggests, puts students at the heart of decisions being made about the quality and governance of the learning experience.
Scotland’s Tertiary Quality Enhancement Framework (TQEF) is the tertiary education sector’s new approach to quality assurance and enhancement. It is used to give assurance on academic standards, the quality of the student experience and ensure accountability for public investment in learning and teaching.
Click here to visit the website for further information
The Representation Roadmap outlines the shared responsibilities for the Student Representation System between UWS and UWS Student Union
Academic Staff Introduction to Representation and Partnership at UWS
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Transcript
Academic Staff Introduction to Representation and Partnership at UWS
Learning objectives
During this module, staff will learn:
The purpose and services of the UWS Student Union
The importance of the staff role in relation to Student Representation and Partnership
Ways of engaging students in learning, teaching and student experience activities
Purpose and Services of the Student Union
Hover over the icon to find out more
Improve Learning and Teaching
Campaign with and for students
Offering Advice and Support
Enabling societies across all campuses
Organising Events and Activities
Student Representation
How can Staff support Student Representation?
What do Reps do ?
Click here to visit the website for more information
Student Societies and Groups
What do Societies do?
How can staff support Student Societies?
Click here to visit the website for more information
Advice Service
- Resit advice
- Extenuating circumstances
- Fitness to Practice
- Appeals, disciplinaries and complaints
- Personal issues and hate crimes
- Financial hardship
- Sexual health
UWS Staff can signpost students to the Union Advice Team for supportHow do Advice Workers help students?
What do Advice Workers do?
Click here to visit the website for more information
Purpose and Services of the Student Union
Drag and drop the words
Student Representation Structure at UWS Academic Year 2026-27
The biggest group of reps at UWS, gathering opinions from fellow students studying on their course, also keeping Division reps up to date
*Democratic changes
Course Reps
Department Reps
Two Department Reps, talk to Course reps about what's happening in taught courses for their department and keep Faculty officers informed.
Faculty Officers
One Faculty Officer per Faculty (three in total represent taught students within each Faculty and work together with divisional reps and student presidents*
PGR Reps
One PGR Division Rep per division, one PGR Rep per School, one PGR Research and Innovation Committee Rep, one Doctoral College Board Rep and one PGR Senate Rep, all keeping student presidents informed
The Student Union President and Vice President Education are paid full time student leaders working at the highest levels of UWS.
Student Presidents
Click on the ICON to find out more
UWS Committee Structure
Click on the ICON to find out more
Click here to view the full UWS Committee Framework
Rep System Timeline
Nov/Dec
August
October
September
April
January
March
February
July
June
May
Course Rep elections
Training and Meetings activity
Hover over the Month to find out more
Student Union Activty
There may be variations to the timeline, please contact your School Admin Team for up to date information
Student Rep System
Importance and role of academic staff
Pass Reps details to your School Enhancement Developer (SED) or equivalent
Promote the Rep role and facilitate recruitment of reps in classes
Title
Title
Use this side to give more information about a topic.
Use this side to give more information about a topic.
Subtitle
Subtitle
Title
Title
Support and Information for Staff
Liaise with Reps outwith formal meetings
Use this side to give more information about a topic.
Use this side to give more information about a topic.
Subtitle
Subtitle
Click here for more information on holding elections
Student Representation Resources
RepresentationRoadmap
Guide to Electing and Reporting Course Reps
Student Rep Engagement and Accountability Policy
Student Staff Meetings Expectations
Click on the icon to find out more
Supporting Student Representation
Partnership and Engagement Activities
Learning, Teaching and Assessment
Committees and Working Groups
Extra-curricular
Student Voice
Click here for best practice examples and case studies
Partnership and Engagement Resources
Click on the icon for more information
UWS Student Partnership Agreement
UWS Student Partnership Conference
Student Partnership at UWS
Student Engagement Guidance
UWS Student Partnership Conference
UWS Student Partnership Conference
Click on the section to find out more
Download all links here
Academic Staff Guidance
Co-design at UWS
Tertiary Quality Enhancement Framework
UWS Curriculum Framework
UWS Academic Quality Framework
UWS Learning Transformation
Partnership and Engagement Resources
Partnership and Engagement Resources
You have now completed the module
Please complete the Post Training Survey below
Thanks for completing Academic Staff Introduction to Representation and Partnership at UWS
Contact us here or visit our socials
Student Partnership Agreement
The Academic Development Toolkit is designed to raise ‘awareness of’ and ‘engagement with’ student partnership and its role within Scotland’s Tertiary Quality Enhancement Framework (TQEF). You can view the full toolkit activities and resources here: Academic Development Toolkit
Click here to view the spa
The Candidate Approval Committee ensure candidates for paid Officer roles have the experience required and can demonstrate their ability to represent student views confidently and clearly in a range of settings
Candidate Approval Committee
Faculty Officers (formerly School Officers) will be paid from academic year 2026-27
Faculty Officers
Click here for more details of our democratic changes from Academic Year 2026-27
UWS Learning Transformation
Learning Transformation works with the four Schools, and various professional service departments of the University to drive learning and teaching enhancement that supports the success of all UWS students. The department works alongside the Quality Enhancment and Standards Team (QuEST0, to provide the UWS community with a holistic end-to-end enhancement experience.
Click here to visit the staff intranet site
The Rep Engagement and Accountability Policy outlines the expectations of all Student Reps and support mechanisms in undertaking their role.
SSLG, DPB and School Board
Student Partnership Agreement
The Student Partnership Agreement outlines the areas in which UWS, and the Students’ Union will work together in partnership to enhance the student learning experience
Click here to view the spa
SEC and SPF
Student Member of Learning and Teaching Committee:
- Student Union Vice Presdient Education
Student Members of Academic Quality CommitteeLTC and AQC
Student members of Student Experience Committee:
- Student Union Vice President Education
- Student Union Vice President Welfare and Wellbeing
Student members of Student Partnership Forum:Academic Quality Framework
The AQF is UWS's prime delivery mechanism for the Tertiary Quality Enhancement Framework (TQEF) in Scotland. It underpins our shared responsibility for maintaining and enhancing quality and academic standards allowing our students to thrive and succeed.
Click here to view the framework
UWS Curriculum Framework
The Curriculum Framework forms part of the Universities Learning and Teaching Thematic Plan, outlining key curriculum design principles of student centred, engaging and active, simple and coherent, authentic, inclusive and sustainable.
Click here to view the framework
The Staff Guidance for Electing and Reporting Student Representatives document outlines the activities required of Programme Leaders in electing Course Reps as well as information on the wider Representation Structure. This document is updated each Academic Year.
The Student Staff Meetings Expectations Document outlines the shared expectations and responsibilities during meetings between Student Representatives and Staff.
Scotland’s Tertiary Quality Enhancement Framework (TQEF) is the tertiary education sector’s new approach to quality assurance and enhancement. It is used to give assurance on academic standards, the quality of the student experience and ensure accountability for public investment in learning and teaching.
Click here to visit the website for further information
University Senate
Student members of Senate:
Student members of Court:
University Court
Methods for electing Course Reps
Hands up in Class: Best used when there are less Reps than places avaliable
- e.g. If you have 4 rep places, but only 3 candidates, this enables students to have a choice.
MS Form: Best used when you have more candidates than positions available- e.g. If you have 4 rep places, but 5 candidates, MS Forms can be designed for multi choice response, the student who receives the lowest number of 'votes' is not elected.
Automatic Election: Best used if there is no contentionStudent members of Research and Innovation Committee:
- Student Union Vice President Education
- One Post Graduate Research Student
Student members of Doctoral Collage Board:RIC and DCB
SPARQS Resource Library
SPARQS - Student Partnership in Quality Scotland - work across Tertiary Education to support and enhance student representation, partnership and engagement in the quality of learning and the student experience. SPARQS Resource LIbrary is a growing list of practical examples, case studies, research and toolkits aimed to develop and enhance partnership and engagement activities across the Tertiary Sector.
Visit the SPARQS Resource Library by clicking here
UWS Student Partnership Conference
The Student Partnership Conference is held annually, the first was held in 2025. The Conference brings together students and staff from across the institution to discuss and strengthen partnership activities.
Find out more about the conference here
sparqs (student partnerships in quality Scotland) is an agency which, as our name suggests, puts students at the heart of decisions being made about the quality and governance of the learning experience.
Scotland’s Tertiary Quality Enhancement Framework (TQEF) is the tertiary education sector’s new approach to quality assurance and enhancement. It is used to give assurance on academic standards, the quality of the student experience and ensure accountability for public investment in learning and teaching.
Click here to visit the website for further information
The Representation Roadmap outlines the shared responsibilities for the Student Representation System between UWS and UWS Student Union