Opportunity to influence policy and decision-making

The Office for Students, which is the regulator for Higher Education in England, is inviting students to apply to be members of their Student Panel. This is a great opportunity for Open University students, who can sometimes be forgotten when the focus is on students at ‘traditional’ universities.

The student panel helps to shape developing policy and projects, and supports and challenges the OfS to ensure that student views are central. It is a great opportunity for students to be involved with policy and decision making in higher education in England.

This year, applications are particularly encouraged from:

• pre-entry students – for example, those studying GCSEs, A-levels, BTECs, Access to Higher Education qualifications and apprentices
• international students
• disabled students
• students studying at different types of higher education institutions, including further education colleges and conservatoires
• black, Asian and minority ethnic students, students of colour and students from traveller communities
• care experienced students
• LGBTQ+ students
• postgraduate research students.

Applications for the eight vacancies on the panel are open until 2200 on Sunday 21 June 2020.

Students will be asked to share their experiences and perspective to help shape and challenge the work of OFS from a student perspective. There are four student panel meetings and an additional training day per year. Panellists will also be asked to take part in additional opportunities throughout the year. The expected time commitment is approximately six to nine days per academic year and there is payment for the work involved.

Find out more about what's involved and how to apply.