Independent student members of the Quality Assessment Committee

The Office for Students (OfS) is the independent regulator of higher education in England and we regulate on behalf of all students. We protect the interests of students by supporting a diverse and independent higher education sector. Our primary aim is delivering positive outcomes for students – past, present, and future.

We are looking to appoint two student members to join the OfS Quality Assessment Committee (QAC). This committee helps the OfS to make decisions about the quality of higher education, including giving advice when universities or colleges apply for the right to award degrees.

The Higher Education and Research Act 2017 (HERA) sets out the QAC’s role in giving advice on how the OfS assesses the quality and standards of higher education at universities and colleges, including those wanting to join the OfS register. The OfS is also responsible for assessing whether universities and colleges should be authorised to award degrees. This process is described as the assessment and authorisation of Degree Awarding Powers (DAPs). The QAC looks at the reports and gives advice to the OfS.

We are looking to recruit two new student committee members who can help ensure that the QAC represents and reflects different perspectives across a diverse higher education sector. To apply, you should be a current or recent student (within the last two years), either at undergraduate or postgraduate level.

By becoming a member of the QAC you will:

• use your experiences as a student to play an important role in forming and articulating robust, high-quality advice on the content of degree awarding powers (DAPs) assessment reports.
• input more broadly into the quality and standards of English higher education.
• share and develop your own skills and experience by joining a high-profile national committee.

We will provide induction and support to all student members. Pre-meeting briefings will be available on request for questions, clarification, and discussion of committee related information.

What to expect

• Appointments normally last two years.
• Members join as individuals, so you can’t send someone else to a meeting if you can’t make it.
• You will be subject to an appraisal process.
• All members must follow the OfS members’ code of conduct and declare any relevant personal interests. Interests will be published on the OfS website.

Meeting arrangements

The QAC meets between four and eight times a year depending on workload. In 2026, you would be expected to be available to attend an induction event (for which you would receive the attendance fee) and up to two meetings. We expect the committee to meet more frequently in 2027 than in 2026.

We hold some meetings online via Microsoft Teams, while others take place in person (where in-person attendance is encouraged). In-person meetings are typically held in London. Meetings last up to three hours with additional time needed before each meeting for reading and preparation. Papers are circulated to members electronically using a browser-based board portal, normally one week before the meeting (or two weeks where a member is a lead reader of an assessment report).

If you are asked to act as a lead reader of an assessment report on DAPs, you will be paired with another member of the committee. You will consider the report independently and then meet with your partner lead reader to discuss your views. You will help the committee to effectively consider the assessment report by guiding the committee to the sections of the report that warrant the most attention and discussion. Preparation time before each meeting may range from two to four hours. It will be at the higher end of the range if you are assigned to be a lead reader.

Remuneration

An attendance fee of £300 is paid for meetings, including preparation time. Additional travel and subsistence expenses may be claimed when attending meetings in-person, in accordance with OfS policies. We can make travel arrangements for you, if preferred.

Appointment process

As part of your application, you will be invited to provide a statement of no more than 500 words describing how your skills and experience meet the essential criteria set out in the person specification. This is an opportunity for you to highlight relevant examples from your experience that demonstrate your suitability for the role. Your statement must include the following information:

• Where you are studying
• What programme of study you are following
• How far you are through your programme (for example: “I am in the final year of a three-year undergraduate degree.”)

When selecting candidates, we will consider the overall balance of skills and backgrounds across the committee. This includes taking into account candidates’ experience with the diverse range of higher education providers regulated by the OfS, as well as ensuring a broad mix of experience across different types of universities and colleges.

Further information about the OfS

We recruit based on fair and open competition and welcome applications from candidates regardless of age, disability, race and ethnicity, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, religion or belief, sex or sexual orientation.

Person specification

Skills and Experience

Essential

• Recent experience, within the last two years, as a student in higher education in England including higher or degree apprenticeship, foundation degree, undergraduate, postgraduate and doctorate levels. This includes student union sabbatical officers.
• Current or recent experience of representing higher education students, for example as a course representative. This will enable you to represent a wider student perspective as well as your own experience of being a student in higher education.
• Able to analyse complex reports and form robust, well-reasoned positions while acting impartially, dispassionately and without bias.
• Able to utilise strong communication skills to articulate views and present at meetings ensuring the student voice is heard, and work collaboratively with others to form collective advice.

Desirable

• Experience of contributing to a committee, either within a higher education setting or outside of it. This may include any previous committee work for the OfS.
• An understanding of the diverseness of the higher education sector and experiences of students in England, particularly those under-represented in higher education. This may be developed through participation in activities to develop a higher education course, or through taking roles such as student representative, staff/student liaison responsibilities or being a student ambassador.

Availability

Able to prepare for, attend and participate in two meetings and an induction session in 2026, and up to eight meetings in 2027. The closing date for applications is Monday 18 May 2026 at noon. Interviews will be held on 18 June 2026.

For information: in this role, members are considered to be office holders rather than employees. The OfS does not hold a UK Visa and Immigration (UKVI) skilled worker licence.