University of Edinburgh & Edinburgh University Students’ Association Sarah Purves; Acting Director (Representation Student Support and Activities),EUSA Alex Munyard; Vice-President Academic Affairs, EUSA

Overview of the University ‘ Influencing the world since 1583’ World class: One of the world’s top 20 Universities Large and diverse: Over 30,000 students: over 1/3 are postgraduate International: Almost 40% of our students come from over 130 countries outside the UK Comprehensive: We teach 103 of the 144 subject categories defined by HESA Research-intensive: Among the top five Universities in the UK by volume of 4* research Committed to teaching quality: over 140 of our degree programmes are externally accredited.

University structure University Principal College of Humanities and Social Sciences 11 schools 62% of students College of Science and Engineering 7 schools 23% of students College of Medicine and Veterinary Medicine 4 schools 15% of students Student and Academic Services Group Corporate Services Information Services

Governance of the University Court is the main governing body Senate (Senatus Academicus) is the supreme academic body: it devolves its business to four Senate Committees Principal’s Strategy Group (PSG) discusses and advises issues of strategic importance to the University Central Management Committee (CMG) oversees planning and budgeting at a central level

University Strategy Vision: “To recruit and develop the world’s most promising students and most outstanding staff and be a truly global university benefitting society as a whole” Goals: –Excellence in learning and teaching –Excellence in Research –Excellence in Innovation Strategic Themes –Outstanding student experience, –Global Impact, –Lifelong community, –Social responsibility, –Partnerships, –Equality and widening participation

Edinburgh University Students’ Association Formed in 1972 bringing together Edinburgh University Union (1885) and Student Representative Council (1884) All students automatically members: 30, buildings in 3 locations Funding: annual grant from the university, plus income from commercial services

Representing students 4 student sabbatical officers providing student leadership Student Council of elected reps School Councils Supporting university-wide network of class reps Participating in university decision- making Running campaigns Contributing to local and national policy- making Participating in NUS and NUS Scotland.

Supporting students The Advice Place: Independent welfare and academic advice Freshers’ Week – introduction to student life at Edinburgh Peer support

Providing on- campus services Student spaces: with catering, bars, entertainment, and somewhere to study Developing students and student community Student societies Student volunteering

EUSA participation Almost 8000 students registered as society members 5600 voted in last year’s elections 843 students in Society leadership positions class reps 900 students formed International Buddies partnerships students volunteering in local community