Student voice means students get a say in the conversation about their own education and campus life. Whether it's course content, campus facilities, or student wellbeing initiatives, your feedback is essential in influencing the changes that matter most and ensuring students' needs are considered in every decision.
The Union is here for you every step of the way during your university experience. We’re committed to ensuring your voice is heard and valued in shaping your experience. Student voice means students get a say in the conversation about their own education and campus life. Whether it's course content, campus facilities, or student wellbeing initiatives, your feedback is essential in influencing the changes that matter most and ensuring students' needs are considered in every decision.
How does the Union support student voice?
The Union plays a leading role in amplifying student voice in a few key ways:
Student Reps:
Reps are responsible for gathering feedback from their fellow students about their programme. They record this feedback in the Student Voice Portal and attend regular meetings with the programme leader to discuss the feedback directly. Each programme should have one Student Representative, and this Rep must be a student enrolled in that specific programme. Ideally, there should be one Rep for every 40 students to ensure that the students are effectively represented.
If you are interested in becoming the Rep for your course, please speak to your Programme Leader
Student Officers:
Student Officers are elected by their peers to represent students at the University of Derby, focusing on either Education or Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI).
Education Officers are responsible for representing students’ academic concerns. They gather feedback from students about their learning experiences and work to improve the quality of education at the University.
EDI Officers focus on representing the different student groups that make up the diverse university community. They work to ensure that all students are included and supported, regardless of their background.
The Officers are volunteers, balancing their responsibilities alongside their studies. They attend regular meetings with both the Union and the University, where they share the feedback they've collected and push for improvements based on what students need.
To contact your officers and find out who they are, please go to Your Officers // Union of Students
The Ideas Forum:
The Ideas Forum is a space where you can share ideas to improve your university experience, or vote and comment on ideas others have submitted. If an idea reaches 25+ votes, Union Officers can then consider taking action on it. The more votes and comments an idea gets, the stronger the case becomes for it to be acted upon.
A great example of the power of the Ideas forum is the Union’s Community Pantry. The impact of the cost of living crisis is hitting a lot of people, with many struggling to afford even the basics. The Nursing and Midwifery Officer at the time posted the idea for a community food pantry on a forum post and rapidly becoming the most supported idea in the forum's history; the pantry now offers relief for those in need. Access is simple - students can book an appointment with InfoPoint to discreetly collect essentials. You can either book in person at InfoPoint, call 01332 591 507 or go to Online Bookings // Union of Students
If you have an idea to improve university life—whether academic or beyond, head to the Ideas forum: Ideas Forum // Union of Students.
Get Involved – Your Voice Matters
By getting involved with the Union, getting to know your Reps and Officers, or even becoming a Rep or Officer yourself, you can help shape a university environment that truly reflects the needs and aspirations of the student body. Don’t miss the chance to make a difference – after all, this is your university experience.