Student Representation

Student representation at Blackburn College ensures the active involvement of students in shaping their own educational experience.

Students are automatically a representative of the College – which means your voice matters, and you’re encouraged to use it! We make sure you are empowered to share your opinions, provide feedback, and participate in decision-making.

Student Voice

Student Voice is all about your thoughts, ideas, opinions, and experiences as a student here at Blackburn College/UCBC. Your voice matters, whether you’ve got feedback, fresh ideas, or big dreams for change – this is your platform to speak up and shape your College/UCBC experience.

Your feedback is essential and makes a real difference so that we can be the College that you want us to be!

Student Voice roles

All students are a representative of the College, but you can have more of an active role by participating in Student Voice and the Students’ Union.

Whether you want to be our next President, represent your School as an ambassador, help shape big decisions as a Student Governor, or be the voice of your course – there’s a role for you.

Gain leadership skills, meet people, and make a difference – all while having a ton of fun!

Share your opinions by attending School meetings, Student Voice Committee meetings with the Governors, Meet the Principal sessions, or attending focus groups and volunteer at events.

Student Voice has two designated areas where students can meet with their representatives:

HE students Students’ Union in UCBC, 1st floor
FE students: Student Central in UCBC The Curve

The roles:

Students’ President
HE Student Governor
FE Student Governor
Head of School Ambassadors
Course Ambassadors

The benefits:

Develop communication and leadership skills
Make a real impact in College
Build connections with staff and other students
Strengthen your CV, UCAS application, or job prospects
Gain confidence and problem-solving experience
Stand out to employers and universities

What our students say

HE President

Katie Cable, BSc (Hons) Psychology

"I want to advocate for all kinds of people and, as a fellow disabled person myself, to help others feel accepted."

HE Student Governor

Joshua Waghorn, BSc (Hons) Networking and Cyber Security

"I’ll be taking feedback and seeing if there’s anything that we can improve upon to make students' lives easier."

FE Student Governor

Ahmed Saiyed, BTEC Information Technology

"I will listen to the students’ views, raise their concerns, and work closely with the College’s leaders to make every student feel safe."

Making a difference

Student representation makes a real difference to the student experience. This includes helping make positive changes across campus and courses…

We regularly capture and share the difference made as a result of student feedback to help show the positive impact student representation has – showing what ‘you said, and we did’!

Your feedback shapes the experience at Blackburn College

When our students tell us what’s working – and what isn’t – we act on it.
Here’s just a few examples of how FE and HE student feedback has already made a difference…

Recent UCBC 'You said, We did' include:

Students said: “Timetabling doesn’t fit around family or work commitments.”

We did: Adjusted timetables and rooming to better support family life and part-time working.

Result: Improved attendance, punctuality and student satisfaction.

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Students said: “We prefer assessments to be staggered.”

We did: Adjusted assessment schedules and built deadlines into course outlines and enabled extensions where needed.

Result: A better balance of workload across the year.

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Students said: “We want better access to the Library and resources.”

We did: Extended opening hours and improved guidance on using resources.

Result: Better study conditions and access when you need it.

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Students said: “We get confused by student finance and bursary payment dates.”

We did: Delivered sessions with the Student Finance team and clearly communicated payment timelines.

Result: Reduced financial uncertainty and stress.

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Students said: “We want clearer information about support services.”

We did: Improved communication around safeguarding, academic coaching and careers support.

Result: Support services are easier to find and access.

Recent College (FE) 'You said, We did' include:

Students said: “We’d like more food choice in the cafes, including more hot food and Halal options.”

We did: Increased the range of suppliers and introduced more Halal options, wider range of toasties and paninis, hot and cold meal deals and special menus in the Curve.

Result: Improved options leading to students enjoying their meals even more.

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Students said: “We’d like a Christmas party for Foundation students.”

We did: A celebration was organised, including an external dance group, Christmas singing, food and refreshments. Foundation students also had a Christmas dinner party.

Result: A great time was had, contributing to a merry Christmas and positive lead into the festive period.

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Students said: “We’d like better sports equipment with new balls for cricket, new kits for football, and also a coach for basketball.

We did: Purchased the top Kookaburra indoor balls, a local company provided top quality kits – and we hired a former top-level pro from the English Basketball League as a coach.

Result: Happier sports people!

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Students said: “We’d like certificates to recognise the contribution of Student Volunteers."

We did: Active ambassadors received certificates.

Result: Recognition for the role and positive contribution of these students.

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Students said: “We’d like more careers information and advice for Construction at the start of the year.”

We did: Careers induction sessions delivered in Construction.

Result: Students are more aware of career support and opportunities form the beginning of the year.