What is AAT’s student advisory group and how can it help you?

Taking the time to speak on behalf of all AAT students, the student advisory group is there to support every learner throughout their qualification.

Have you ever wanted to share your ideas with AAT on what would make your studies easier? Have you spotted a gap in the resources available, or do you have thoughts about how assessments could better reflect real-world accounting?

That’s precisely what the student advisory group was set up to do, and it’s making a real difference for students at every level.

What is the AAT student advisory group?

This is made up by one advisory group from Level 2 to 4 which looks at how AAT can focus on meeting the needs of students by directly engaging with them when it comes to decision-making and forming action plans. This ensures that new AAT initiatives going forward keep the customer voice at the centre of its decisions.

“The student advisory group is a community of students who come together to talk about not only the positives of studying AAT but also the negatives and the things we’d like to change,” explains Keira Lake, who was part of the 2024/25 group. “During my time within the student advisory group, one of the main things we talked about was how we would like it if there were more practice exams available on the lifelong portal because doing the same two exams over and over again got repetitive.”

Sandie Sangster, another 2024/25 group member, describes it as a group of “Students who want to help shape the future and direction of AAT.” Representing a student base of 70,000, the group comes together to discuss the wants and needs of fellow students studying online, in person, by self-study, or in the classroom.

The group helps AAT in several ways: building strong, supportive communities for consultation on future plans, improving assessments, services, products and events; testing and feeding back on new activity and initiatives across AAT; and giving a clear voice to students.

Why does AAT have these groups, and why do we have one for each level?

Working closely with all AAT’s stakeholders has always been an integral part of the organisation’s work, and students are no exception. Through AAT’s 2030 strategy, the aim is to inspire and develop an inclusive community of accounting professionals equipped with the real-world skills needed to help businesses meet the challenges of our fast-changing world. AAT know that can’t be achieved without listening to the people actually doing the studying.

To ensure AAT captures the voice of multiple student voices and backgrounds, the advisory group has representation across all three qualification levels. This means getting insight from students just starting off their journey and from those near to completion.

The challenges facing someone learning foundation accounting principles at Level 2 differ significantly from those tackling advanced topics at Level 4, so each group can focus on the specific support needed at their stage. This diversity ensures that when decisions are made, they work for the whole student community, not just one type of learner.

Throughout the year, discussions cover emerging themes shaping the modern accountant’s role – technology, ethics, diversity, equity and inclusion – alongside practical study matters.

How do the advisory groups help other AAT students have a voice and represent them?

The advisory group members are the first point of external contact when it comes to feedback on the activity AAT has planned, providing their honest feedback on improvements and where AAT could help support students more.

“The AAT student advisory group is important because it gives students a space to share real experiences first-hand,” said Sandie. “It’s a valuable forum for open, honest discussions – every member and the AAT team involved truly cares. We want to ensure all students receive the best possible experience and support throughout their studies with AAT and beyond, once qualified.”

Keira said: “I believe it is important to have the student advisory group in place because it allows AAT to get direct feedback from their students.

“Not only this but it also allows the students to be at the forefront of changes within their own studies. We can take control of the qualification and make it better for students studying across the world.

“The group allows you to influence your qualification and make it better, not just for yourself, but for all the other students studying globally.”

What are the key responsibilities of the group?

Group members commit to representing the student voice in three online meetings and one face-to-face day at AAT Head Office throughout the year. The 2024/25 cohort’s in-person meeting brought all 30 members together for a full day of workshops, networking, and an inspiring member panel talk.

Throughout the year, members meet online in groups based on their study level – Level 2, 3, or 4 – before coming together as a full cohort for the face-to-face session.

The key responsibilities are straightforward: provide honest feedback and insight collected from your own experience or from other students you’ve spoken to. As Keira puts it: “My role was to provide ideas to AAT and support to other students. I would say the key responsibilities include being able to work as a team to pitch ideas to AAT, as well as being caring and supportive to other students.”

The benefits of joining the group extend far beyond the formal sessions. Both Keira and Sandie talked about the connections they formed and the personal development opportunities that came with the role.

“My time with the group was truly wonderful and I highly recommend it to AAT students out there who want to make a change,” said Keira. “I met so many incredible people through the student advisory group who have changed my life and the way I study. The opportunities that have come from not only studying with AAT but also being a part of their student advisory group have been extraordinary.”

Sandie added: “Being part of the AAT student advisory group was an amazing experience. I loved connecting with other students and collaborating to develop new ideas. It has left me even more passionate about helping other students, as well as exploring new and exciting ways to improve myself. I’m looking forward to seeing the new improvements AAT puts into place.”

Further reading

How to overcome setbacks and ace your qualification

Finding a purpose with AAT: how one student gave up everything for a better future

We answer your most common concerns when it comes to studying with AAT

Sophie Cross is the Editor of Freelancer Magazine and a freelance writer and marketer at Thoughtfully.