Your voice can make change happen; shape your Edge Hill experience and collaborate with decision-makers to influence the things that matter to you and your fellow students.
Student Advisory Panel recruitment for academic year 25-26 is now closed. Recruitment will open again at the beginning of next academic year.
What is the Student Advisory Panel and Cocreation Group?
The Student Advisory Panel and Cocreation Group is your opportunity to influence real change at Edge Hill. We are committed to making sure every student voice is heard, especially voices that aren’t always included. As a Student Advisory Partner, you will have opportunities to contribute through both panel discussions and collaborative project work.
Working closely with staff, you will be provided with frequent opportunities to share your lived experience and help shape the future of university life.
The Student Advisory Panel and Cocreation Group is key to the success of our Widening Access and Student Success Strategy; our vision to have a whole university approach to widening access and student success, where all those with potential have parity of access and success within Higher Education.
As part of this work, we are committed to working with our students to collaborate and co-produce new, innovative and impactful activity. Access this short video which provides an overview of the Student Advisory Panel experience from our Student Success Officer.
Who is eligible to apply for the Student Advisory Panel and Cocreation Group?
We want to ensure diversity of voices so the considerations we take forward reflect the needs of our student population. The SAP eligibility for academic year 2026/27 includes:
Students who are a care leaver, care experienced or estranged.
Students who were eligible for free school meals.
Students entering university from a neighbourhood where there is low participation in higher education, and students from low-income households POLAR Quintile 1 or IMD Quintile 1: (Check your postcode).
Students with caring responsibilities.
Students whose ethnicity is Black, Asian or Minority Ethnic.
Students who did not study A Level qualifications, e.g. BTEC.
Mature students (aged 21+ on entry).
Disabled students (including those with a Specific Learning Difficulty (SpLD) or a mental health condition).
Students who are the first in their family to study at university.
What does being a Student Advisory Partner involve?
As a Student Advisory Partner, you will have opportunities to get involved in both Student Advisory Panels and Cocreation Projects throughout the year.
When attending Panel, you can expect to:
Take part in open, respectful discussions about the student experience
Share your views, ideas and feedback on University policies and procedures to help identify what’s working well and where improvements could be made
Connect with students who have different experiences and perspectives
Develop your confidence, communication and influencing skills
If involved in Cocreation projects, you can expect to:
Be involved in projects from planning and development through to evaluation
Contribute ideas that help shape project outcomes
Build meaningful relationships with staff and students from across the university to create solutions and improvements
Gain experience of partnership working, project development and decision-making
How can being a Student Advisory Partner benefit me?
Consultation and co-production in higher education provides a host of benefits for students, both personally and professionally.
We value the time and perspectives of our Student Advisory Partners therefore this is a paid role at £14.40 (inclusive of holiday pay) per hour.
You can expect to be seen as an expert in your own experience and work with the university in a space where we ensure you are empowered to contribute towards equity for all students here at Edge Hill.
Through co-facilitated dialogue, being a Student Advisory Partner will support many Graduate Attributes including:
Ethics and diversity
With a strong sense of purpose, you’ll display personal and social responsibility and contribute to shared responsibility whilst acting with integrity. You’ll also be able to demystify how decisions are made at university fostering trust.
Enterprise and entrepreneurship
You’ll recognise opportunities for improvement and growth and find innovative and effective approaches to supporting students.
Personal and interpersonal skills
You’ll become more confident, grow and develop skills in voicing opinions and shaping change, enhancing your self-awareness, active listening skills, team-working, negotiation, critical thinking and problem-solving skills along the way.
Student experience
Access this short video to hear about what it is like to be a Student Advisory Partner and how the opportunity helps our members to grow and make a difference.
How can I get involved?
1. Apply
When the recruitment cycle is open, you’ll be asked to complete a short application form if you meet the eligibility criteria. Tell us a bit about yourself including why you want to join the panel and what skills or experience you’d bring. This is your chance to share your passion and perspective.
Support in completing your application can be provided via Get Ahead appointments with our Careers team.
A link to complete the application form, and a full role description, will become visible when recruitment is open.
2. Shortlisting
The Student Success Team will review all applications. We are keen to ensure we have representation of our diverse student population and if your application is successful, we’ll invite you to the next stage.
3. Interview
If successful, you’ll be invited to attend a panel interview. This will be a relaxed interview where you’ll take part in a short mock panel. It’s a great way for you to experience what the role involves and ask any questions.
Post interview feedback can be provided upon request.
4. Get started
To work for the University, you’ll need to complete a right to work check before your training starts. This is a legal requirement for all paid student roles. We’ll guide you through the process if you’re offered a place.
5. Start your training and join the panel
Once everything’s in place, you’ll be invited to a training session to help you feel confident and prepared. Then it’s time to get involved and start making a difference.
What happens with the feedback provided in a Student Advisory Panel?
The ideas and feedback shared in panel meetings are passed on to teams across Edge Hill to help improve services, policies and the overall student journey.
Want to see what happens next? You can see the impact the Student Advisory Panel and Cocreation Group has already made and follow any future progress below.
You said, we listened.
2024/2025
You said
We listened
Student Advisory Panel members suggested reviewing promotion and interview process for Student Advisory Panel roles. (October 2024-The Widening Access and Student Success team)
We introduced a new process to enable video applications and accessibility requests were added to all communications as standard. We have captured student experiences of the Student Advisory Panel in video and text format for promotion on our webpages.
Student Advisory Panel members suggested designing a resource for BTEC students with a focus on Academic Skills and Time Management. (October 2024 – UniSkills) (March 2024 – Widening Access and Student Success Team)
We produced an Academic Skills Questionnaire and a Time Management session which will be embedded into a department’s curriculum area in 25/ 26 to support a pilot with a focus on transition which will be rolled out if successful.
Student Advisory Panel members suggested reviewing Thrive promotion, programme launch and support session content and delivery. (November 2024 – The Widening Access and Student Success team)
We have streamlined and refreshed our Thrive launch and support sessions and recordings will be circulated to students who can’t attend in person. Delivery prior to Welcome Week now ensures clearing students can attend. We have captured student experiences of the Thrive programme in video and text format for promotion on our webpages.
Student Advisory Panel members suggested enhancing academic skills transitional support pre-entry and between years 1-2 and 2-3. (November 2024 – UniSkills)
We have produced a new Introduction to Catalyst Specialist Support Toolkit and introduced new Edge Hill Catalyst Catch up emails monthly which will highlight support available including new and developed toolkits. We have added Student Advisor video(s), sharing student’s lived experience around induction and transition, to the Preparing to Study webpage.
Student Advisory Panel members suggested reviewing the content and delivery of our Access Programmes. (October 2024 – The Widening Access and Student Success team)
We added more information on wellbeing and student support as well as student finance information to our Supporters’ Talk.
Student Advisory Panel members suggested enhancing knowledge and awareness of money advice support to prospective students. (October 2024 – Money Advice Team)
We created Padlets containing pre-entry information, advice and guidance to be used at Open Days and Offer Holder Days.
Student Advisory Panel members suggested reviewing the content of the Growth Resilience Model. (March 2025 – Wellbeing Team)
We have updated the slides in line with accessibility requirements and have added a new, standardised slide in each Growth Resilience Model presentation to support more positive framing of the terminology around resilience.
Student Advisory Panel members suggested the draft assessment strategy needed to reflect needs of WP students. (February 2025 – Academic Staff)
We have now provided recommendations for the student experience improvement board which will help share the new learning, teaching and assessment strategy.
Student Advisory Panel members suggested the Careers webpages include support to how to talk about a disability, health condition or neurodiversity to an employer.(March 2025- Careers Team)
Student Advisory Panel members suggested wide and sensitive promotion to students and staff of the Social Prescribing Service and new Student Assistance Programme toreach all students. (February 2025 – Social Prescribing)
We have promoted both the Social Prescribing and Student Assistance Programme to ensure promotion reaches all students and staff across all platforms. Communications colleagues and teams across departments have been consulted and sensitivity in messaging is inclusive and accessible for students.
Student Advisory Panel members suggested reviewing navigation and content on student portals to ensure accuracy of information which will lead to a positive user experience. (November 2024 – Target Connect Team)
Links to the webpages and student facing portal functionality has been reviewed. Appointment booking system has been simplified and enhanced with additional information about self help and support added.
Student Advisory Panel members contributed to the National Network for the Education of Care Leavers award submission to ensure representation of Care Experienced and Estranged students in the documentation. (November 2024 – Widening Access and Student Success Team)
We included Care Experienced and Estranged students’ feedback within the award documentation and successfully obtained the National Network for the Education of Care Leavers award in 2025.
Student Advisory Panel members suggested reviewing the length and regularity of Thrive’s Coaching Conversations offer as well as the timing of the promotion and application of the offer. (February 2025 – Widening Access and Student Success Team)
The Student Success Team adjusted the number of Coaching Conversations sessions to a minimum of 3, with the option to extend to 5 if needed. They have also repositioned Thrive promotion and application to post A Level Results day for timelier sign up and now offer the opportunity to be paired with a Student Success Champion throughout the academic year.
Student Advisory Panel members suggested exploring the possibility of increased face-to-face Money Advice Team support once on programme. (October 2024 – Money Advice Team)
The Money Advice Team have delivered an in person ‘Student Finance and Funding’ guidance session in week one of the Fastrack programme to help students progressing to undergraduate course navigate the process. Student Support Team officers now discuss money management skills in meetings with care-experienced and estranged students, and a process is in place to refer on to the Money Advice Team for personalised one-to-one budgeting support if needed.
2025/2026
You said
We listened
Student Advisory Panel members suggested adding more specific, detailed and personalised information throughout the prospectus and a ‘register your interest’ sign‑up on website for prospective students.(November 2025, Recruitment Marketing)
We have strengthened the 2027 prospectus content on location, belonging, careers and outcomes, commuting and campus life, alongside clearer guidance on funding, fees and budgeting and added a new sign‑up link to make this clearer and encourage sign-ups earlier.
Student Advisory Panel members suggested ensuring all student groups and intersections are explicitly recognised and ongoing student input into staff training and student experience are reflected in the Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) policy in a way that impacts the whole student journey and avoids tokenism.(March 2026, EDI academic representative)
We have ensured the draft strategy includes student voice and have committed to identifying compounded disadvantage using data and student insight and addressing cumulative barriers through action and staff training. EDI will be embedded across curriculum and inclusive practice, support services and institutional activity, with a focus on belonging, wellbeing and trauma‑informed practice.
Student Advisory Panel members suggestedfurther promotionof Discover More to enhance access and engagement of resources. (November 2025, Collections and Archives Team)
We developed a joint campaign to promote Discover More, created with students, the SU and CatComms with an Instagram reel from that campaign becoming one of the library account’s most viewed reels ever. Other student facing campaigns have been used as opportunities to promote Discover More too.
Student Advisory Panel members suggested ensuring digital web guides for specific student groups are supportive in tone, bespoke where possible, utilise student perspectives, promote Personal Tutor support and include information regarding student finance and bursaries. (November 2025, Widening Access and Student Success Team)
We have ensured the Care Experienced and Estranged, Mature, and Black Asian and Ethnic Minority student guides all include Personal Tutor detail, cover expectations and the support available as well as a supportive tone incorporating direct student quotes and reflecting lived experience.
Where information can be bespoke to these groups such as in detail about finance, services, shopping and worship this has also been included.
Student Advisory Panel members suggested enhancing communications and staff training to improve feelings of safety, trust and belonging in the Students Union. (December 2025, Student’s Union)
We have increased staffing levels in the SU communications team, as well as made progress towards Best Bar None accreditation which has included enhancements to training to improve safety and customer service within the venue.
Are there any other ways I can get involved with Student Voice?
Here at Edge Hill, we’re committed to making sure every student voice is heard. Therefore, if Student Advisory Panel and Cocreation Group isn’t the right fit for you, there are still plenty of ways to get involved and make a difference through our Student Voice Community.
Student Advisory Panel and Cocreation Group FAQs
Student Advisory Panel FAQs
What’s a ‘mock panel’?
It’s a short practice version of what a real panel meeting might look like so you can get a feel for the role and ask questions. It’s informal and designed to help you feel more confident.
What’s a ‘right to work’ check?
This is a legal requirement for any paid role in the UK that confirms that you’re eligible to work. We’ll guide you through what you need to do if you’re offered the role.
How often do panel meetings take place and how do I sign up for a panel?
Panel meetings happen a few times each term and usually last between 1-2 hours. We’ll always give you plenty of notice so you can plan around your studies, work, or other commitments.
You’ll be emailed the upcoming panel dates and times. If you’re available, you’ll just reply to let us know.
Contact us
Reach out to us at[email protected] learn more about the panel and how to get involved.
