A chance to make the student voice heard

AQA, the biggest exam board when it comes to GCSEs and A-levels, is looking for students to join its Student Advisory Group to make key decisions about the future of exams.

We’re looking for students who have completed AQA GCSEs as well as young people who’re studying to sit AQA AS and A-levels. Students who’re taking our vocational qualifications are also welcome to apply, as are those who’re taking a vocational qualification with another exam board and have sat at least one AQA qualification.

Since the Student Advisory Group was set up five years ago, young people have taken part in a wide range of interesting activities. They have:

• represented the student voice at the Parliamentary Youth Reception
• shared their views at the Curriculum and Assessment Youth Shadow Panel
• fed into AQA’s response to the Curriculum and Assessment Review call for evidence
• offered insights about artificial intelligence in the classroom at the Festival of Education
• helped review books for our English Literature set texts
• met MPs.

Successful applicants will be part of a group that reports to AQA’s senior leaders and its Board of Trustees. They will ask the young people for their views on such topics as exam paper design, digital exams and the future of the curriculum.

Student Advisory Group members will attend three one-day meetings from January to November 2026. They’ll be required to read papers, talk to fellow members and come ready to discuss and share ideas. Travel and accommodation costs will be covered, and lunch is provided at every meeting.

There will also be opportunities to join other events that could possibly include speaking on a panel or discussing Government proposals.

In all, it’s a CV-enhancing experience that will allow young people to develop their communication and networking skills at AQA, which is a registered charity.

Zainab Ali, Student Co-Chair of the Group, said:

"The Student Advisory Group gives us, as students, a real seat at the table with one of the UK’s biggest exam boards. We get to explore bold ideas, challenge old ways of thinking, and witness our inputs turn into real-time improvements for students nationwide. Serving as Chair has been a profound honour and a truly transformative experience. If you’re eager to be part of shaping the future of education, this is a chance you don’t want to miss!"

David Laws, Chair of the AQA Board of Trustees, said:

“For more than 120 years AQA has been supporting young people to progress to the next stage of their lives. It’s essential then for us to hear the student voice to inform our work.

“I’m very much looking forward to meeting and working with the young people who’ll make up the next Student Advisory Group.”

If they are interested, students should go to “apply” and write a personal statement of up to 500 words explaining why they are suited to this role.

Applications open today (Monday 8 September) and close at 5pm on Monday 22 September.

Apply to be come a Student Advisor

you can find out more information about the Student Advisory Group and what's involved here