Your Programme and Department Reps are students who volunteer their time to listen to your feedback and tell the university what needs changing.
These pages cover information for both Reps, potential Reps and any students who want to understand the role and how you are being represented!
Need to contact a Rep? Click here.
Current Rep? Click here.
Want to become a Rep this year?
For 2024/25 we have moved away from online elections. In your programme, probably in a main lecture, students will be asked for volunteers. Those interested should speak up, and we will be informed of who the reps are later on. If you had already nominated yourself as a rep through the SU election before it closed, you will have been added onto the list of reps and should have heard back.
If you have not heard anything through your department, get in touch and we will follow up with the relevant staff teams. Email SU staff: Farrah at fb25, and copy Antonia at ab93.
We are especially looking to fill gaps amoung 2nd, 3rd and 4th years across most departments, and postgraduate research students in general.
The biggest target is to make sure every cohort of students is repreesented within their department and college. This may mean taking on more volunteers than usual, but that is fine! So don't hestitate to put yourself forward and get in touch if you have not been able to for whatever reason.
What do Reps do?
They attend major decision-making meetings with staff at SOAS. By sharing your views with Reps, you know it’s getting to the right people.
Reps can’t fix everything. Usually, problems on your course are resolved slowly. Reps are trained to navigate the complicated, bureaucratic system on your behalf, or signpost you to the best person who can help if it’s a personal problem.
How is the Rep Network structured?
There are three types of Rep: Programme Reps (previously known as Course Reps), Departmental Reps, and College Reps.
Programme Reps are the largest group, and you would usually approach them first if you wanted to give feedback about your course. Once elected, there is:
- One Rep per foundation class
- One Rep per 50 undergraduate students per year of study
- One Rep per Master's programme
- One MPhil Rep per department
- One PhD Rep per department.
Generally, these are the tasks Programme Reps carry out:
- Gather feedback from students in person, by email or via the Tell Me About It reporting process.
- Log feedback received so it can be collated
- Attend numerous important meetings with SOAS management, relaying the feedback from students and advocating for them.
Department Reps are more experienced reps who have slightly different responsibilities. When elected, per department there is one undergraduate student, one Master's, one MPhil, and one PhD. Their role is similar to the programme reps, as they still gather feedback from students. Their additional responsibilities include:
- Coordinating and leading the Programme Reps in their department
- Attending specific department meetings.
College Reps are students who are paid by the SU to represent the collective views of the three colleges at these meetings. Additionally, they are experienced leaders who support the training and guidance of the volunteer Reps. There are six College Reps, one undergraduate and one postgraduate per College.
What do Reps gain from the experience?
Reps are volunteers who choose to spend their time making a difference for students. In many ways, this is its own reward. Specifically they:
- Directly contribute to positive change at SOAS
- Ensure the views of students inform changes to their courses and experience
- Help students feel heard.
In the process, Reps gain valuable professional experience and learn skills, such as:
- Communication
- Leadership
- Finding mutually beneficial solutions
- Understanding business organisation and management structures.
As a thank you to the Reps for their service, the SU will provide a letter of recommendation, upon request, to help them when applying for jobs.