Academic Representation
Academic Reps (elected or co-opted) are the students who represent their cohorts on academic issues to the University and help make positive change to improve the student experience.
The academic representation system is made up of:
- 700+ Course and School Reps
- 100+ PGR Reps
- 18 Faculty Reps
- 2 Education Officers
All Academic Reps are full voting members of Student Council.
Education Officers
Academic Reps
There is at least one Course Rep for every year on every course, and at least one PGR rep for every research programme. Academic Reps are students who:
- Represent their school, course or PGR programme to the University
- Are a vital link between the student body, academic staff, and the Students' Union
- Gather and share your feedback with staff
- Pass on any issues that students in their cohort have that are affecting their studies and/or research
- Keep students informed of progress by sharing updates from staff
- Are part of a team of representatives across the university, who work in partnership with staff to ensure that the academic interests of students are represented
They sit on the School Student Academic Rep Forums within their School, where they bring your feedback to university staff, and push for change. They are also full voting members of Student Council, ensuring students on their programme have a voice in key SU decisions.
To read a bit more about what reps do, find links to role descriptions just below:
If you'd like to find out more, including how to find your rep, go to our Information for Students section below.
Faculty Reps
Faculty Reps are elected student representatives who represent all the students their faculty to the University. There are three reps per Faculty, one for each level of study: Undergraduate (UG), Postgraduate Taught (PGT), and Postgraduate Research (PGR). They play a vital role in supporting, consulting with, and building a community amongst their Course/School/PGR reps. Each rep chairs their own Faculty Student Academic Rep Forum, spaces where students can air any faculty level academic issues with university staff and find solutions together.
Most Faculty Reps attend University Senate, the highest committee in the university, ensuring students' views on educational issues and other matters are being heard.
Moreover, they're a valuable voice in the Bristol SU democratic structures, sitting on Bristol SU Student Representatives' Assembly, and being voting members of Student Council. Faculty reps make sure that SU policies and campaigns take into account the needs of students in their faculty.
Faculty reps are elected during our SU Elections in TB1 (September/October) for PGTs, and in TB2 (February/March) for UGs and PGRs. Find out more on the SU Elections webpage.
Information for students
Find out who your Academic Rep is, how to contact them and get involved in representing students' academic experience below!
How do I contact my reps?
Through our Rep Finder tool below, you can find your Course or Faculty Rep's email address and contact them with your feedback. If you're struggling to get in touch with your rep, then you can contact the SU Representation Team. Your rep should also be seeking out your opinions so that they can take them to the University.
Be sure to let your rep know if you have feedback or suggestions - they are here to encourage the changes their cohort wants to see!
Find your Rep
Find your Course Rep here, or find out what your Faculty Rep is working on here.
Please note the rep finder tool shows reps for the current academic year, and it is updated when the new academic year starts, and after the Term 1 SU Elections (for 1st year UG/PGT students).
Your School's admin staff should also be able to let you know who your reps are, and if you have a Blackboard student space, they should be listed on there!
Still no rep(s) to be found...?
How do I get involved?
We hold SU Elections for Course Reps at two points during the academic year, in TB1/TB2. Reps for new incoming cohorts get elected in TB1 (September/October), and all other reps get elected in TB2 (February/March). PGR Reps get co-opted by their Schools instead of being elected through the SU Elections, so if you're interested in standing, simply let your School's staff know.
You'll be hearing a lot from us when the time comes around. When the SU Elections are live, you will be able to access our platform through our Elections webpage.
If you're interested, you can read full Academic Rep role descriptions below. You can find descriptions for other roles, including Faculty Rep, on this page.
How else do I get involved if I've missed elections?
It might be the case there are still vacant roles that have not been filled through the elections, in which case, you'll hear about any vacancies from your School (and you can also check through the Rep Finder).
If you aren't a Course Rep, you can still be part of the conversation! Share your thoughts and ideas with your rep, get involved in one of our many student groups or campaign and connect with different networks in the student community.
Be proactive! It's really important that you make sure your reps are aware of any issues you have so that they can bring these problems to the university. They are elected to represent you – so make sure you give them feedback when they ask for it... or even when they don't!
Information for Reps
Student Representatives are the vital bridge between the student body and the University. As a Course Rep, you are part of a network of leaders that will bring changes to benefit the student experience at all levels, from changes that affect your course, all the way up to university-wide changes.
You can find your fellow reps, access resources and record what you're working on using our Rep Hub
Information for University Staff
Election Timeline
Bristol SU runs Elections twice a year, in TB1 for all incoming students (1st year UG, and PGT), and in TB2 for all continuing students. Other roles also get elected as part of the SU Elections. The 2026-2027 TB2 Elections will go live 18 January 2027.
The SU Academic Representation team will send more information closer to the time, including links to the materials stored on the Academic Representation SharePoint.
The Bristol SU Academic Representation Team
The Academic Representation Team are:
- Janine Fox - Academic Representation Manager
- Hafren Jones - Senior Academic Representation Coordinator
- Kate Bagnall - Academic Representation Coordinator (P/T)
- Marcelle Fletcher - Academic Representation Administrator
They can be contacted at bristolsu-representation@bristol.ac.uk
They are part of the Impact & Influence Directorate at Bristol SU - meet the Bristol SU Team on our staff webpages.
Resources
You can find any resources for University staff in the Student Academic Representation SharePoint.
The RepHub is a platform you can use to amend course codes, see a list of reps in your school/faculty and change rep details. Click here to access the staff user guide for the RepHub.
FAQs
How do I find out details of reps in my school/faculty?
School Admin staff can access the RepHub, where they can find the full list of reps in their school and amend rep details. You can find out more about the RepHub on our sharepoint, and your school admin team should be able to provide you with the login details for this if you are new to the role. Otherwise, please contact us.
Where can I get more information on the Representation System at the University?
On our Sharepoint site for staff, you can find more information about how the rep system at Bristol works and how we support reps in their roles as the SU. If you have any specific questions then the Representation Team are always happy to help at our shared mailbox, or you can reach out to the SU team member working with your faculty.
What training do course reps get?
We have compulsory online training for PGR Reps and Course Reps, which new reps are invited to complete when they enter the role. You can see when reps have completed training via the 'student leaders' section of the RepHub, or take a look at the training via our sharepoint! We have optional training modules available to reps throughout the year, on topics including meeting hosting training and using teams for School Student Academic Rep Forums.
The RepCon, which we hold in TB1 and TB2, offers a bespoke opportunity for all Academic Reps to meet one another and join workshops specifically designed to enhance their skills within their roles. For Faculty Reps, we hold an in person day of training for each level of study (UG/PGT/PGR) soon after they enter the role through the elections, alongside a residential day of training with other student leaders, and 1;1 support throughout their time in role.
Training for Academic Reps
As an academic rep you are responsible for passing on the opinions and ideas that students have to the University. Our job is to help you to do this! The skills you can develop through representing students alongside completing your academic studies are ones that you can transfer to your career and future life.
Compulsory Training
Core Training
Our compulsory online training for academic reps covers all you need to know to get you started in your role, whether you are a course rep (UG & PGT), or a PGR rep. It will equip you with necessary skills and resources to help you succeed and develop positive relationships with students and staff. You will be sent a link to this once you enter your role.
Additional Training
Optional Modules
Alongside Core Training, we also offer optional online modules and training opportunities throughout your role. These include topics such as our Meeting Hosting training, to help you feel prepared when joining your School Student Academic Rep Forum on Teams or chairing a meeting for the first time. You can find extra modules via the RepHub, on the 'training' page.
Get in touch with the Impact & Influence Team
Send an email to the Academic Representation Team
Send an email to the Democracy and Campaigns Team
