Welcome to the Postgraduate Network!

My name is Sean, and I am the Vice President Postgraduates at Cardiff Students' Union. This means that my role is to represent the postgraduate community on matters of education and welfare across the University.

The Postgraduate Network is an inclusive space for postgraduates across Cardiff University to connect with each other, socialise, a cultivate a sense of community. You automatically become a member once enrolled on a Postgraduate course. If you would like to contribute to build up and strengthen the postgraduate community please feel free to get in touch with me at VPPostgraduate@cardiff.ac.uk, I am looking forward to hear your ideas!

Don't forget to join the Cardiff Students Postgraduate Network Facebook group to keep updated!

I will be sending a Postgraduate newsletter every month so keep an eye on your emails! If you would like to know more about my day to day work and keep updated with my work you can find me on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter or check my progress on my Officer Tracker. 

Upcoming Postgraduate Events

Keep your eyes peeled below for some exciting events!

Blog Posts

• Prioritising your Wellbeing as a PhD Student, October 2024

• Joining a Club or Society as a Postgrad, September 2024

Know Your Rights! - Join A Union

Since 2018, the Students’ Union has collaborated closely with the University and UCU to establish proper contracts for PGRs engaged in teaching and demonstrating. The aim is to ensure that PGRs receive the rightful recognition and rights equivalent to those of staff members employed by the University.

The transition from a code of engagement to an employment contract marks a significant step forward. Graduate Tutors and Demonstrators will now have comprehensive rights and benefits that are equivalent to staff positions within the University.

Click here to Know Your Rights!

If you are a Postgraduate Research (PGR) student, it is important that you are aware of your rights, have access to training and feel supported in your role which can often toe the line between staff and students. Many PGR students at Cardiff University are members of UCU (Universities and Colleges Union), and have access to free memberships, which is one of the largest Unions in the world.

The UCU Union provides targeted support for Postgraduates who teach, on a wide range of topics including: Employment Rights, Representation, Professional Development, Training and Advice.

The Students' Union works closely with the Cardiff Branch of UCU to ensure appropriate representation and support, but if we could be doing more, please let us know!

Click here for more details about joining UCU.

Student Advice

Student Advice in the Students’ Union offers free, independent, impartial and confidential advice to all students at Cardiff University.

You can contact Student Advice about anything, whether you be concerned about your academics, your housing or another aspect of your life! They’re independent from the University so can help with absolutely anything, even if you’re looking to make complaints.

You can get in touch with Advice via email, or by calling 02920 781410 (active Mon-Fri 9am-5pm).

Student Voice & Feedback

At the Students’ Union, we want to empower you to use your voice to improve your experience at Cardiff University.

Student Academic Representatives: Every cohort has at least one Student Rep, they attend the Student Staff Panels (SSP) where they have the chance to provide feedback to the university staff (academics, librarians, catering…).

Vice President Postgraduate Students (Sabbatical Officer): Every year a student is elected to represent the postgraduate students at Cardiff University. The VP Postgraduate’s job is to ensure that the postgraduate students are represented in university meetings, to run projects that will improve the postgraduate student experience, and to strengthen the postgraduate community.

Postgraduate Executive Committee: This is a committee made up of 7 Postgrad taught and 7 Postgrad research students. It has a fortnightly meeting with the VP Postgraduate where the committee can provide feedback and hold the VP Postgraduate accountable. Additionally, this committee supports the VP Postgraduate in creating events for the Postgraduate Network. 

Speak Week Campaign: This campaign allows students across Cardiff University to submit their feedback regarding their student experience (transport, course, lectures, recordings, accommodation, catering…). This is the biggest campaign for feedback collection – we get thousands of comments every year! The data collected will be anonymised and will be used by the Sabbatical Officers to create projects and lobby University to action on what students need.

Other Democratic Processes: Check the Democracy webpage to know more about Elections, Student Senate, and the Annual General Meeting (AGM). All students are invited to attend the AGM and cast their vote on the proposals that will affect their student experience.

If there is any feedback that you would like the VP Postgraduate to work on, please fill up the feedback form.