Open positions: the steering groups of degree programmes
In the steering group of your degree programme, you will get to influence the teaching given in your degree programme. This autumn, we are looking for student representatives for the steering groups of degree programmes for the term 1 January 2025–31 December 2026.
Each degree programme at the University of Helsinki has a steering group that supports the director of the degree programme and processes the central issues related to the degree programme’s operation. The steering group of a degree programme prepares the degree programme’s curriculum. The curriculum is made for three years at a time and determines the following issues:
- What courses are included in the degrees
- What kind of methods to complete courses are offered
- What kind of attendance requirements courses have
- What kind of learning objectives courses have
The steering group of a degree programme decides on the annual teaching schedule of the degree programme. The teaching schedule is a kind of implementation plan for the curriculum. It determines the following issues related to courses:
- Timing
- Schedule
- Teaching locations
In other words, the teaching schedule includes all the extremely important details students need to know about courses for the entire academic year. As a member of a steering group, you will thus get to influence all the things that are realised in the teaching provided in your degree programme. This is a real chance to influence matters on a practical level!
All steering groups of degree programmes have two actual and two vice student members. The steering groups also have a maximum of six teachers from the degree programme, with no vice members. Steering groups are chaired by the director of the degree programme. Depending on the language of the degree programme, the working language of the steering groups of degree programmes is either Finnish, English or Swedish. However, it is also possible to agree on the language used in the meetings separately.
How to apply to become a student representative
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Check out the open positions
The most important information on each position for student representatives is included in the relevant call for applications. First read the call for applications in the Halloped application system, check out the ‘Student representatives’ guide and, if needed, ask for further information from our specialist in charge of student representatives.
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Do not hesitate to submit an application
Read the call for applications carefully and reflect on the things it mentions as advantages when writing your application. The application does not need to be long, though, and you do not need to have prior experience of similar duties. The Halloped system will send you a confirmation message of having received your application, and after this, it is just a matter of waiting for further information. One of HYY’s employees will contact you after the application period has ended to tell you how the process continues. Remember to send your application early enough, as we generally cannot consider late applications! The application period is open 16 September–14 October 2024.
If you are drawing a blank on what to write in your application, check out our model applications for the steering groups of degree programmes.
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Wait for further information on how the application process continues
After the application period for student representatives has closed in the autumn, the selection committees established for each faculty will begin processing the applications and making selection proposals on student representatives to be selected. The selection committees may request additional information if they wish. Possible dates for the requests for additional information can be seen on the form for each position in the Halloped system.
You will be informed how the application process is progressing at different stages of the process. Of course, you can also contact the specialist in charge of HYY’s student representatives or HYY’s selection coordinator directly if you have any questions related to the application process or to serving as a student representative!
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Join our activities and training sessions!
A training event will be organised for all student representatives in the steering groups of degree programmes on 11 December to provide you with orientation to the position and an opportunity to meet the other student representatives. You will also get to join HYY’s Student Representative Network and Study Network, where you will be able to discuss topical matters and network with other student advocates and representatives at the University. In addition to this, we use HYY’s email lists for student representatives to inform you about current issues.
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Model application
Check the sample application for inspiration what to write in your own application!
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How are the student representatives selected
The method of selecting student representatives is laid down in a regulation approved by HYY’s Representative Council. The Central Selection Committee established by the Representative Council plans and prepares the application periods as well as establishes selection committees for each faculty to process the applications.
The selection committees make justified proposals on the individuals to be selected, and the Student Union’s Board then approves the proposals. After this, the proposals are submitted to the faculties as the dean of the faculty responsible for each degree programme ultimately appoints the members of its steering group.
Selection committee?
We are looking for members for the selection committees 26 August–9 September, that is, before the actual calls for applications for student representatives. We are looking for at least three members from each faculty for the selection committees. The members must be registered for attendance at the faculty the selection committee represents.
The main duty of the selection committees is to process the applications for the positions of student representatives in its faculty and to prepare proposals on the applicants to be selected. In the selection committee, you will thus get to ensure that the most motivated applicants are selected to represent students in the University’s decision-making processes! You will also gain valuable experience of recruitment and administration that will help you with your career, for instance.
The selection committee’s work includes a maximum of two meetings as well as a collective training event that lasts a few hours. The training event will be held on 10 October 2024. Serving in the selection committee is thus a great opportunity to get to make decisions affecting the student community without making a long-term commitment! The selection committees are also always supported by one of HYY’s employees who will prepare the material, serve as the secretary and help during the meetings.
Applications to the selection committees should be submitted through the Halloped system.
Frequently asked questions
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You will learn many useful skills in the position of student representative, ranging from being able to grasp the big picture to project management and group work. The position will also help you get to know University personnel from professors to educational coordinators as well as form valuable networks. You can also get credits for serving as a student representative.
Every year, HYY provides student representatives with free training on issues such as communication, influencing and meeting technique. The Student Representative Network provides you with not only peer support but also friends.
You can apply for a certificate of having served as a student representative from HYY and, under certain conditions, credits from the University. You will need the certificate granted by HYY when applying for credits! You can apply for the certificate from HYY’s document secretary.
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As a student representative, you must commit yourself to your duties and attend the meetings of your administrative body. The steering groups of degree programmes meet around once a month during academic terms. The meetings last around 1–2 hours.
In addition to the meetings themselves, preparing for the meetings by going through the meeting material, for instance, will also take some time. Thoroughly reading the meeting material before the meeting, asking for the opinions of – depending on the situation – either your fellow students or subject organisation on the issues on the meeting agenda and speaking up at the meeting itself are quite enough to be successful in the position.
Usually, vice members can also participate in the meetings. It is a good idea to check whether this is the case at the beginning of each term. In any case, always decide among yourselves who is going to attend the meeting to ensure that the meetings always have student representation!
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Exchange plans do not necessarily prevent you from being selected. However, we generally hope that student representatives could commit to their duties for as large a part of their term as possible.
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You will never be working alone as a student representative! Each steering group of a degree programme has other student representatives who you will be closely cooperating with. Right at the beginning of your term, we recommend creating a shared group for the student representatives and vice representatives to make it easier for you to agree on who is attending the meetings and prepare for the meetings together.
You will also get peer support from other student representatives through the Student Representative Network maintained by HYY. You can use the network to discuss matters with other student representatives. We also organise training events for student representatives and persons in charge of study affairs. We will inform you of any training events by email and through our social media channels. You can also always contact HYY’s specialists in educational policy, whether you are facing a challenging situation or simply want to ask us about something related to studies!
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There are only two requirements for student representatives in the steering groups of degree programmes: you must be registered for attendance at the University of Helsinki and you must have a justified connection to the degree programme whose steering group you are applying for (for instance, a study right or plans to complete studies in the programme).
Motivation, understanding of current affairs at the faculty or the University, contacts with subject and faculty organisations and previous experience of student advocacy work are considered as advantages. However, previous experience is not a requirement! Detailed application instructions and criteria can be found in the Halloped application system under each position open for applications.
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Student representatives on faculty councils, the collegium and the University Board may only be employed by the University if their working hours are a maximum of 50 per cent of normal working hours and their contract lasts a maximum of 6 months. Working at the University does not prevent you from serving as a student representative in the steering group of a degree programme.
The effects of being employed by the University have been defined in more detail in the University’s Electoral Regulations. You can also ask for further information about these effects from HYY’s specialist in charge of student representatives.
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Applications for the positions of student representatives on the steering groups of degree programmes that are open this autumn will be processed by the selection committees for each faculty. The selection committees have the best understanding of the current affairs and needs at their faculties. The selection committees make justified proposals on the individuals to be selected, and the Student Union’s Board then approves the proposals. After this, the proposals are submitted to the faculties as the dean of the faculty responsible for each degree programme ultimately appoints the members of its steering group.
During supplementary calls for applications, the selection proposals and justification memorandums will be made and the matter presented to the administrative body making the final decision by HYY’s specialist in educational policy.
The method of selecting student representatives is laid down in a regulation approved by our Representative Council. -
The steering groups of degree programmes meet around once a month during academic terms, with the meetings lasting 1–2 hours. The meetings often feature more discussion than those of faculty councils, for instance. The matters addressed in the steering groups of degree programmes also have a more direct effect on students’ everyday life, which means that student representatives have many opportunities to express their opinions. We recommend going through the material, that is, the agenda and its attachments, in advance with the other student representatives to prepare for the discussion. You can also always contact HYY’s specialists in educational policy.
The duties of the steering groups of degree programmes include preparing the degree programme’s three-year curriculum and deciding on the annual teaching schedule. The steering groups of degree programmes are chaired by the director of the degree programme.