Student Engagement

Listening to the views and opinions of students is an essential part of how we improve and enhance the student experience at the RVC. We work with students to make sure their time here is an enriching experience - educationally, socially and culturally. Our Student Engagement policy sets out the RVC's commitment to ensuring that all students have opportunities to contribute to their learning experience. It also details the range of mechanisms for student engagement in quality assurance and enhancement at the RVC including the Student Representative Scheme, student membership of College committees, student evaluations including the National Student Survey/PTES and PRES, Validation panels, Periodic Review panels. 

Student engagement at the RVC is recognising that all students, undergraduate and postgraduate, whether studying on campus or at a distance, have a right for their views to be listened to, and for the RVC to respond where appropriate. Our commitment to this is demonstrated by: 

  • the impact of Student Surveys  
  • the role of the Student Course Representative System
  • the work of the Student Development Committee/College Services Forum  
  • actions taken by the RVC as published on 'You Said...We Did...'

Student Surveys

Surveys enable individual students to feedback on their experiences and provide data which is essential in supporting the enhancement of their learning experience. Survey findings are discussed at the relevant RVC Academic Committee(s) whose membership include student representatives. RVC staff respond to issues raised by students and document actions to be taken through publication of 'Annual Quality Improvement Reports' for each course.  

Many decisions are based on the results of feedback from students and are reported through the RVCs ‘You Said…We Did…’ page on LEARN, the RVCs Virtual Learning Environment.

Student surveys conducted by the RVC include:         

  • RVC Module/Strand Student Survey – enabling students to feedback on their module and strand experiences
  • 'National Student Survey' - final year undergraduate students feedback on their experiences at the RVC
  • 'Postgraduate Taught/Research Experience Survey' - postgraduate students feedback on their experiences at the RVC
  • RVC Graduate Survey - 1 year after graduation, graduates feedback on how well their course prepared them for the workplace.

In addition, the Graduate Outcomes survey is a national survey which captures the perspectives and current status of graduates. All graduates who completed a higher education course in the UK after August 2017 will be asked to take part in the survey 15 months after they finish their studies.

Further information 

The Academic Quality Assurance and Enhancement Procedural chapter 'Student, Graduate and Employer Evaluations' .

Contact Senior Academic Quality Officer – Student Engagement.

Student Course Representatives

Student Course Representatives play a pivotal role in acting as the voice of their year group and a bridge between the student body and the rest of the RVC/Students' Union. They play a vital role in improving students’ experiences by working in partnership with the RVC and Students Union to resolve issues and deliver change. Student Course Representatives achieve personal development through specific training, working with other students/staff and remuneration including discounted SU events and payment for attending certain RVC Academic Committee meetings.  

Elections are held by the Students Union each year during October. Representatives are in post for 15 months until December the preceding year to enable a handover period between the new and outgoing Student Reps each autumn term. Current students can find contact details for their Course Reps under the student voice section of LEARN, the RVCs Virtual Learning Environment.  

Training and Support Programme

Student Course Representatives are supported in their role through a tailored programme which is delivered in partnership by the RVC and Students' Union to develops their skills, ensuring they can be effective and influential in their role (and have some fun along the way!). The key elements of the programme include: 

  1.   Core Induction Training session - mandatory training session to equip Reps with the skills and information they need to start their role.
  2.   Optional Skills Training sessions - optional drop-in sessions delivered during early November, to support the development of specific skills to increase the effectiveness of Reps.        
  3.   Monthly 'Keep in touch' sessions - optional drop-in sessions to enable Reps to catch up, discuss key issues and meet with Senior Staff.

Further Information

The following documents support Student Reps in their role:

  • Core Induction Training Presentation
  • Student Course Representatives Handbook
  • RVC Academic Committee Handbook

If you want to be a Rep or have any queries please contact the SU President or Academic Quality Officer Student Engagement.

You Said...We Did...

Many decisions and actions are based on the results of feedback from students and are reported through the RVCs ‘You Said…We Did…’ page on LEARN, the RVCs Virtual Learning Environment. Examples include the introduction of a RVC wide feedback policy and the recruitment of a Lecturer in Exotics.  

Further information

Contact Senior Academic Quality Officer – Student Engagement.

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