Campus Open Day

What do they do?

Our Student Ambassadors work as part of a highly motivated professional team, supporting a variety of departments across the University.
Students can be Central Student Ambassadors undertaking activities on open days such as guest registration or campus tours, or they can be Subject-Specific Student Ambassadors talking about their course in more depth.
The Central Student Ambassador role isn’t just limited to open/applicant days – below are just some examples of work our central ambassadors have been involved with:
  • Photoshoots
  • Tours
  • Call centres
  • Conferences
  • Flyering
  • Spring fairs
  • Social media takeovers
  • Arrivals 
  • Welcome Week
We welcome and encourage students from the full range of courses and from diverse backgrounds and experiences, to apply to become an ambassador in order to represent our entire student body.

Rate of pay

Ambassadors are paid a standard rate of £11.82 an hour. A higher rate of £12.37 an hour is only given on certain occasions; if you are on the higher rate, this will be communicated to you beforehand.

How many hours can I work?

A sensible guideline for all full-time students is to work no more than 15-20 hours per week during term time. Remember that your studies need to take priority.
Ambassadors can be flexible in terms of the hours they work. We allow ambassadors to decide when and if they want to support an activity. If you do not wish to work an event, there is no need to reply to our emails. The work is opt-in so if you do not email us to let us know you are available; we will assume that you do not want to work.

International students

If you are an international student, you should check your visa. Your visa should tell you if you can work and for how many hours a week. If you are allowed to work, this will usually be for no more than 20 hours per week. 

Contact us

If you have any questions about becoming a student ambassador, please contact us using the following details: 

When can I apply

Recruitment for the 23/24 academic year Central Ambassadors is now closed and will reopen for the 24/25 academic year at the beginning of October.
Central Ambassadors go through a recruitment process each year consisting of an application form, followed by group interviews. For more information, contact the team by emailing studentambassadors@plymouth.ac.uk.
As a Subject-Specific Ambassador you are able to work for your subject area at events throughout the year. To become a Subject-Specific Ambassador, you need to be recommended by an academic on your course. The academic should email the ambassadors inbox. You may also be asked to work over a set period of time or as a one-off for an event. For this you would be signed up as a Temporary Worker, which requires the hiring staff to present you with a separate letter of engagement. For support with this, the hiring staff should contact the ambassador inbox, or Human Resources. 
Drop in to speak to the Careers Service in the Student Hub if you have any questions about becoming a student worker.
For information on how we use your data in relation to your role as a Student Ambassador take a look at the privacy notice for University of Plymouth Student Ambassadors.

It is a great opportunity to get part time work while studying at the University, especially as you can choose all your hours to fit around your timetable and deadlines, working as little or as much as you want. While working as a student ambassador, I have been able to develop my team working and leadership skills while learning how to take initiative. I have gained so many new skills and connections and had so much fun along the way!

Chloe O’Shea
BSc (Hons) Chemistry  

Lights, camera, action!

Watch our Student Ambassadors in action and learn about what it is like to be a Student Ambassador with the University of Plymouth. 
Listen to current students talk about the work they get involved in and what it feels like to be part of a dynamic team assisting with the delivery of key University events.
Watch our video above, or on YouTube.

Right to work checks

If you are a student worker for the University, you must have a current right to work check completed before you commence any work (this is a legal requirement). Please visit the Careers Service in the Student Hub, The Charles Seale-Hayne Library. You will need to complete a starter form and bring your ID with you.
If you are working as a subject-specific ambassador or a student worker, you should ensure you notify the person undertaking your right to work check who you are working for.
Right to work in the UK – accepted documents (must be the originals):
1. Current British Passport. In some circumstances, we can accept an expired passport, get in touch if you require this option.
OR
2. Full UK Birth Certificate (MUST list the name of at least one parent) AND Proof of National Insurance Number.
OR
3. (International/EU Students) Full Passport showing VISA/Permit Stamp AND Proof of Settled or Pre-Settled Status on Home Office Online Service (using Share Code) AND proof of your NI number (if you have one).

Student Ambassador case studies

The student ambassador role provides an immense opportunity to interact with different people, which attracted me to apply. Personally, it has increased my confidence in expressing myself, boosted my self-esteem and most importantly, it has taught me to understand various individuals and their needs. With my experience and knowledge acquired in terms of direct contact with individuals, I believe, I used this opportunity to hone my skills further.

Ishita Bhatia
MSc Clinical Psychology 

This role will allow you to develop your social skills in an informative way and meet likeminded people. Being an ambassador is a great way to get to know other students while giving information on university life and your course to new potential students and guardians. My favourite part of my role is meeting all the excited potential new students.

Curtis Williams
MSc Offshore Renewable Energy

Meeting the student ambassadors at my applicant day inspired me to apply as they were so friendly and helpful. My favourite thing about being an ambassador is talking to lots of different people including prospective students and their families, as well as other students and members of staff! I have developed my knowledge of how the University runs and have created connections with lots of people! It has been an exciting chance to contribute to a wider cause whilst also developing personally and professionally.

Jennifer Matcham
BSc (Hons) Psychology

The student ambassador role has been a fun, interesting and engaging learning experience. It has helped me gain confidence in myself as well as my English. As an international student, English is not my first language and having the opportunity to practice within this role has been invaluable.

Marie Anais Tessa L'Etang
BSc (Hons) Business Management

I wanted to be able to give back to the University and my fellow students in a way that was accessible to me. To sum up the experience, it was a wonderful opportunity to be a student ambassador! I met a lot of people, learnt a lot of skills and overall, it was a wonderful time for me and I’m grateful for the opportunity!

Rahama Lawal
BA (Hons) Architecture

I love working closely with the University and the Faculty. Helping to make learning inclusive for everyone and earning money whilst doing it! This is a fantastic opportunity to allow yourself to grow with the University whilst helping prospective students and gain valuable employability skills.

Connor Matthews
BSc (Hons) Business Management

What do our staff say about our Student Ambassadors?

Student ambassadors provide a unique link between students, applicants and academics especially on our applicant, interview and open days. We regularly receive feedback from families on how approachable, friendly and welcoming they were. To have a group of students that are passionate, enthusiastic and genuinely love life at the University of Plymouth is something we never underestimate; they are an invaluable resource to us.

Catherine Clarke
Events Administrator

Student ambassadors are incredibly important. There is no-one better to represent our course and our University than the students themselves. We trust our student ambassadors implicitly to communicate with potential students, parents of potential students, VIPs and visitors both on campus and sometimes off-campus at other events; to share their honest experience of being a student with us and it is through this, that the most realistic impressions of the University are made and student ambassadors give our reputation visibility and credibility.

Thomas M Walvin
Lecturer in Adult Nursing / Admissions Tutor

Our student ambassadors are an extension to our team, they bring our events to life! They play a key role in supporting the delivery of our activities whether it is a tour of the campus, being our Children’s University mascot or answering the phones in our call centres. The positive feedback from prospective students and their families about their honesty, enthusiasm, friendliness and welcoming nature is overwhelming after each event that we run. It is honestly a pleasure to work with our team of ambassadors.

Heather Shepherd
Conversion Events Team Leader

As a midwifery lecturer I really value and enjoy working with our student ambassadors. They have a key role to play in supporting existing and potential students. As a student ambassador you would be a valuable resource on open and interview days as well as supporting outreach events. Potential new students really value being able to talk to those who are actually completing the course and can tell them about the student experience at the University. Candidates and school children find ambassadors easy to approach and are able to ask them questions that they may not wish to ask the lecturers.

Angela Thompson
Midwifery Lecturer and BSc Programme Lead