The GSA is the primary representative body for all registered postgraduate students at the University of York. Postgraduates are automatically members of the GSA, are encouraged to take part in any of our activities, and are welcome to use any of our services. So whether you’re doing a Masters and here for a year, or a PhD and here for a few years, on campus or a distance learner, get to know your GSA and get involved!

The GSA aims to provide a social community for postgraduates through our dedicated postgraduate welcome week, regular events, trips and free sport. We also represent postgraduate views on a variety of university committees, provide academic & welfare support and offer advice on all postgraduate matters. Furthermore the GSA provides services to the university’s large & diverse postgraduate community.

The University of York is one of few universities in the UK to have a students’ association specifically for postgraduates. The GSA is run by postgraduates for postgraduate students and all our officers are elected annually.

We’ve been going since 1965 – you can read a bit more about why we were originally set up thanks to this document from the University of York Archives at the Borthwick Institute.

What are the 2022/23 Autumn Elections?

The Autumn Elections are one of the most important activities you can take part in during your time at York. There are three key roles you can run for: Student Trustee, Academic Representative, and Part-Time Officer. The Academic Reps look after their courses and represent their classmates; PTO's create policy and change both your union and the university for the better. Both roles are voluntary and we only expect you to put in what time you can give. There is also an additional role of Scrutiny Officer available. Scrutiny Officers also also sit on Council but have more formalised committee-like responsibliies.  More information on all of these positions can be found below.

If you have any questions or need any support regarding the Autumn Elections, please contact our Representation Coordinator at representation@yorkgsa.org

All postgraduate students of the University of York are automatically members of the GSA and can nominate themselves for a role and vote in the election.

The Timeline

Monday 17th October - Nominations Open

• Monday 17th October, (17:00 - 18:00) - Student Trustee, Drop in Session.
• Tuesday 18th October, (17:00 - 18:00) -  Academic Rep, Drop in Session.
• Wednesday 19th October, (17:00 - 18:00) - Faculty Rep, Drop in Session.
• Thursday 20th October, (17:00 - 18:00) - Part-Time Officer, Drop in Session.
• Friday 21st October, (17:00 - 18:00) - Scrutiny Officer, Drop in Session.

Sunday 23rd October - Nominations Close

Wednesday 26th October - Voting Opens

Monday 31st October - Voting Closes

Wednesday 2nd November - Results Announced

The above timeline outlines key autumn 2022 election dates. Links to accessing the optional online drop-in sessions will be included in the GSA Newsletter.

The Positions

Academic Representatives

There are a LOT of positions available during the Autumn Elections. On one side of things, there are the Part Time Officer Roles. If you're doing a Postgraduate course at the University of York, then you are can become an Academic Representative! You represent your fellow classmates and help improve your course. You act as the link between staff and students/PGRs, raising course, department or faculty-wide issues at Board of Studies Meetings and Staff-Student Forums

Part Time Officers

Council is the primary decision-making body of the GSA; it is run by Part-Time Officers from different departments and groups who oversee what the GSA does. They are democratically elected from the postgraduate community for a term of one year and hold a vote on Council; this determines what the GSA campaigns on, how the GSA creates policy and also holds the Sabbatical Officers to  account.

Past campaigns have included the support for industrial action and safeguarding student sex workers. Would you like to represent students at an institutional level? More information about the roles below and full recruitment pack here.

Student Trustee 

Become a Student Trustee! Stand to be elected to the Trustee Board. This is an exciting opportunity  to gain experience working 'behind the scenes' in a charitable organisation.

The Trustee Board is responsible for ensuring the financial stability of the GSA; it ensures that none of the decisions made by the Council or Sabbatical Officers are illegal in nature. The board meets at least once every academic term unless certain issues require otherwise.

The Board is responsible for overseeing the administration and management of the GSA, including its budget (subject to approval of the University if required under the Education Act 1994), management, and staffing. More information available here.

Scrutiny Officers

Scrutiny Officers are responsible for holding elected GSA officers to account, by ensuring officers are working towards their manifesto priorities, role descriptions and objectives, as well as implementing GSA policies. This will include ensuring officers attend meetings, submit progress reports and the scrutiny of submitted reports via the Accountability Committee

Scrutiny Officers are expected to attend training events, Accountability Committee meetings and Association Council meetings. Find out more here.

How do I nominate myself?

Nominations are to be submitted directly via the election platform and the relevant link will be available here from October 17th and also shared via the GSA newsletter that week.