Student Voice

At Newcastle College University Centre, we value the concept of Students in Partnership. This means that students are our partners in our higher education community and therefore their voice, opinions, and input are integral to decisions made here. Students in Partnership is supported by our student voice system, which ensures that all students have the opportunity to express their opinions and suggest beneficial changes that help shape Newcastle College University Centre.

Student Voice

Student Voice at Newcastle College University Centre primarily takes place through the Student Rep system. This system has three levels (see below) where students can formally share feedback, concerns, and highlight any positive areas related to their degree programme.

All students participate in this system through the Group Forums, they can choose to engage with this in more depth by either taking up a role as either a Student Rep or as a Curriculum Officer.

Group Forum

A meeting with the Student Rep and students from their group. This usually takes place during a taught session, with the staff member leaving the room to allow for students to confidently share their feedback to the student rep. The Student Rep completes the forum document with notes and feedback.

The staff member will return and update the students, and the document, with any actions that they intend to take to resolve items raised.

Any items that the staff member is unable to resolve should then be flagged as being taken to Curriculum Forum

Curriculum Forum

A meeting with all Student Reps from the curriculum area, the Curriculum Officer, and the Assistant Head of Curriculum and/or Head of Curriculum. Items that were not resolved at the Group Forums are discussed here, with the curriculum team discussing any action they intend to take to resolve the items. Any items that cannot be resolved at Curriculum Forum are then taken to NCUC Forum.

NCUC Forum

A meeting with all Curriculum Officers, members from the RSE Team, and the Director of Higher Education and/or Head of Higher Education. This meeting discusses the items that were not resolved at Curriculum Forum.

Student Rep

A voluntary role where the student acts as the representative and voice of their group. They will take the notes of both cycles of their Group Forums. Student Reps are also invited to the Curriculum Forum to represent the views of their group within this setting.

Curriculum Officer

A paid role where the student will act as the representative and voice from students from their curriculum area. Curriculum Officers work collaboratively with the Head of Curriculum, Assistant Head of Curriculum, and the RSE Team on student voice matters, particularly with the Curriculum Forums where they create the agenda, chair the forum, and share bulletins with student reps from their areas with updates following the Curriculum Forum. Curriculum Officers also represent their curriculum areas in the NCUC Forum.

Byte4Bite

Outside of the Student Rep system, student voice is also supported through Byte4Bite.

Byte4Bite is an opportunity for students to share their views on a topic, such as enrolment or NSS and HESS, in exchange for free food.

Byte4Bite takes place across various points in the academic year.

Community Fellowships

Student Fellowships are a great way to enhance your degree studies, boost your CV, develop valuable employability skills, and make a difference – all while earning a bursary of £200 - £1000, depending on the role!