Course Reps

What are course reps?

A Course rep is a student who has volunteered or been elected to be the spokesperson on their course.

They speak to students, collecting feedback from peers and share with us, the students' union, and the key staff within your programme and school to make sure that feedback is acted upon.

This can be about enhancing the quality of your course, or giving a shout out to the things you and your peers love about your course and would like to see in other modules/lectures.  

Benefits of being a course rep

  • Paying your kindness forward - Your course is made better each year by people just like you who care about their experience and want to use their voice to steer positive change that will impact your peers and any future generation of students that come after you! 
  • Official accredited volunteer hours - Showcase your volunteering and get real accredited hours that will enhance your employability and help you stand out. 
  • Student Leader Programme - You'll get access to our Student Leader Programme, brand new for 2023-24! We have a range of training that is available to develop your skills and knowledge, from First Aid to Bystander Training - Great for your CV! 
  • Work with staff and attend meetings to feedback - Develop your confidence, public speaking, and problem solving skills by attending our Course Rep Training and then spending the year working with academic and JMSU staff to better your course. 
  • Student Voice Socials - Join us for exclusive events and socials just for our amazing student voice leaders to attend, which will include a chance to network, eat some free food and make some friends! 
  • Student Experience Awards (SEA's) - Nominate academic and non-academic staff (E.g. Cleaners, Estates Team etc.) and your peers to win awards for their hard work in making your university experience extra special - Who knows, as a course rep, you may even win a few awards yourself! 😉 
  • Work with your VP Education, Seren Hutchinson, and gain insight into the work behind the scenes.  

Role expectations

Becoming a course rep is a volunteering opportunity, but there are some key things that you should know may be expected of you before you put yourself forward: 

  • Attend training with us! If you do sign up to become a rep, we will get in touch to let you know how to sign up for training, when it is and where it will be. We have a range of sessions available to suit your schedule including fast-track, quick recap sessions for returning course reps, and online sessions for those who may not be able to make it in person. 
  • Be proactive in representing your course - speak to your peers about their experiences, positive and negative, and collect their feedback. 
  • Attend Board of Studies meetings as often as you can (usually termly), send apologies if you aren't able to attend, and feedback to the academic staff the experiences you have collected from your peers. 
  • Liase with LJMU and JMSU staff to ensure that you are not only representing your peers, but yourself as well! Your wellbeing is just as important to us.  
  • Register with JMSU and log your volunteering hours (This is optional but will help to enhance your CV and gain recognised accreditation for your hard work)  

How do I become a course rep?

Each school operates differently, some running mini elections within the first few weeks of term, and other running a volunteer system, where students put themselves forward as a course rep.

We, as your students union, facilitate this recruitment and support students and staff with the process.  

Any additional queries, do not hesitate to contact us at coursereps@ljmu.ac.uk.

Become a Course Rep

Your journey to registering

Some courses at LJMU run elections for course reps within during induction, and your programme leader will let you know if this is the case for you.  

All other courses require students to volunteer for the role without having to stand in an election.

Regardless of how your course recruits course reps, you will need to register with us to make it official.  

1. Register with JMSU!

Let us know you’ve been elected, or have volunteered for, the role of course rep.

Register with us

2. Sign up to a course rep training session

You can sign up to training here. 

We have a range of hybrid and in-person training sessions to suit your busy schedules, including in-person pizza sessions and online fast-track.  

3. Pick up your free Course Rep merch!

If you attend course rep training you’ll receive free course rep merchandise to use around campus.

Once all course reps have registered with us, we will share a welcome letter with you.