Do you want to help shape the future of BNU? Do you want to learn more about corporate governance and how an organisation makes its strategic decisions? Have you considered joining the University’s Council?
The University Council is the University’s governing body, responsible for the educational character and mission of BNU as well as overseeing the rules and procedures that underpin how we are governed. The University Council is made up of individuals with experience and skills across a broad range of professions, business and industry, and is chaired by the University’s Pro Chancellor Maggie Galliers. Members are both external to the University and BNU employees elected to sit on BNU’s Council.
Each year a current student is appointed to sit on Council alongside the President of the Students’ Union. This is an exciting opportunity for a student to gain experience of governance and to ensure the student experience is central to the University Council’s thinking.
The co-opted student member’s term runs from 1 August 2026 to 31 July 2027. The experience and skills desired for the role include:
- a broad understanding of the whole University community and demonstrable support for the ethos and mission of the University
- a strong interest in the BNU student experience and more generally in the education sector and the role education plays in transforming lives
- good interpersonal skills – being confident to express views on behalf of the student body in a concise, fair and measured way
- committed to working as part of a team with other Council members and senior staff of the University
- able to think strategically, understand and engage with issues quickly, debate and contribute to discussions pro-actively and challenge rigorously
- able to devote time to preparing for and attending Council and sub-committee meetings – normally 10 meetings per year of approximately three hours plus one Away Day with an overnight stay. Additional hours may be required for pre-reading Council papers.
- act as Ambassadors for the University
Full support, training and guidance to support this role will be provided by the University Secretary’s Office. You can find more information about Council on the Council webpages. If you have any questions, please email council@bucks.ac.uk.
To express interest in the role, you just need to complete a short form by 27 April. You can access the form by scanning the QR code:
All forms will be kept private and confidential to the shortlisting and interview panel. Short selection interviews will be held via Microsoft Teams later in May.
The University and its Council encourage, support and value diversity and welcome expressions of interest from any currently registered student studying directly with the University. Applications from part-time, post-graduate, mature or BAME students would be particularly welcome.
Before expressing your interest, please be aware that this role does not involve working for the Students’ Union or the SU Council or Trustee Board. It does, however, offer an opportunity to learn more about university governance and ensure the student experience is central to the University’s thinking, as well as offering great experience to put on your CV.