METKA appoints several dozen student representatives each year. The application period for next year’s student representative of the degree program advisory council is now open!
The advisory councils are bodies made up of staff and representatives of working life. The purpose of these councils is to develop the relevance and quality of education for working life. The student representative acts as a link between students and staff. They bring out the views and needs of students in Metropolia’s decision-making. Curriculum changes are also discussed in the advisory councils. The term is one calendar year and METKA provides training for the task for the selected student representatives.
The advisory councils meet 1-4 times a year, so the role is suitable for a busier student. It is also possible to earn credits for the activity if you actively participate in the activities of the advisory council and in the training and section meetings organised by METKA.
Applications for the degree advisory councils are open from November 3 to November 30, 2025. METKA’s board will make its selections at its next meeting on December 1, 2025, after the application period has closed. Applicants will have the opportunity to introduce themselves at the meeting.
What is an advisory council?
Degree advisory councils are bodies formed by Metropolia staff and representatives from the world of work, whose purpose is to develop the relevance and quality of education in relation to working life. In addition to the above-mentioned participants, student representatives play an essential role in bringing the important student perspective to meetings and decision-making. The advisory councils meet 1-4 times a year.
Am I suitable to be a student representative?
Yes! You don’t need to be an experienced student activist or a specialist in education policy. All you need is to be a student in the degree program in question! You bring the student perspective to the meetings and thus the expertise that the advisory council would otherwise lack. You can apply to be a student representative even in your first year, but you will be best prepared for the role if you have already studied for at least one academic year. Graduates are not eligible for the position, so priority will be given to applicants who can serve for the entire term, i.e., the 2026 calendar year. METKA also provides brief but comprehensive training to help you get started! As a student representative, you do not need to commit to any other METKA activities, nor do you need to be a member of METKA.
How much time does it take and what do you get out of it?
Since advisory councils only meet 1-4 times a year, the task is suitable even for a busier student. The biggest benefit of serving on an advisory council is networking with representatives from the working world. The situation is slightly different for each degree program, but METKA has heard that in some advisory councils students are guaranteed a job once they have established networks during their studies. If they wish, student representatives can receive a certificate for their work as well as credits, usually 1-2 credits depending on the time spent on the work.
So what now?
Applications are open until November 30. Appointing student representatives is a statutory duty of student unions, which is why applications are submitted through METKA. METKA’s board will make decisions based on the applications at its first meeting in December. The application does not need to be long, as long as it explains why you would like to become a student representative and whether you have any previous experience or skills that would support you in the role.
Find out more about being a student representative
Read the Election Announcement
Fill in the application form!
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