Two Oxford colleges are the first to have dedicated 'trans officers' to look after the needs of students who do not identify with the gender they were born with.

Magdalen and Wadham both now have dedicated representatives to cater for the university's growing transgender community and to make sure its members have a voice.

It is part of a drive among students at the university to become more accommodating to trans people, and if the initiative proves successful other colleges are likely to follow suit.

The decision at Magdalen (above) has been made by the student-run Junior Common Room

The decision at Magdalen was made last week by the student-run Junior Common Room (JCR), which appoints officers to look after the interests of undergraduates at the college.

The motion was proposed by student Matthew Elliot, who said: 'Transgender students face a large number of unique and personal welfare needs and issues which often have little guidance or support from the JCR.'

According to student newspaper Cherwell, the duties of the new position will include 'ensuring equality of opportunity' and 'providing welfare support' for transgender students.

They will also lobby for changes to college policies on those who transition from male to female or vice versa while studying at Oxford.

The motion was passed unanimously and will mean elections for the position will be held later this term.

Magdalen's JCR already has trustee for LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender) matters, Billy Nuttal, who seconded the motion.

He told Cherwell: 'I am very happy that the JCR supports members of the trans community in our college.'

By passing the motion Magdalen joins Wadham, the only other JCR to currently have such a position.

Katy Haigh, vice-president for women at Oxford student union, said: 'It is great to see that common rooms are expanding their representative positions to better reflect the demographics and the needs of their students.'

Magdalen student Ben Hopkinson, who attended the general meeting where the motion was passed, added: 'This motion proves that the JCR is committed to being welcoming and supportive to all members of Magdalen.'

Wadham (pictured) is also trying to ensure the university's transgender community has a voice

Another student, Amelia Horn said: 'Matthew Elliot made crucial points on how the welfare needs of lesbian, gay, and bi students differ from those of trans students and so it is important to separate the role within the JCR.'

It comes after the National Union of Students (NUS) appointed its first full-time trans officer following a long-running campaign from activists.

The campaign was led by Wadham students, who said those who argued against it on cost grounds should be 'condemned' for 'blocking trans people from having a voice.'

Many universities are trying to improve provision for trans students now, with a large number already adopting gender neutral toilets.

Last month, the women-only Murray Edwards College at Cambridge said it would admit those simply living as female rather than requiring applicants to have legally changed their gender.

Societal attitudes towards gender issues have shifted over the last ten years and the Office for National Statistics recently revealed it is considering making declaring gender optional in the next census to help trans people.

At the weekend, it was also revealed that organ donors no longer have to state whether they are a man or a woman when signing up to the NHS register.

In the summer, the government announced it was considering plans to make the process of changing legal gender easier.

Currently, people must be diagnosed with gender dysphoria, a condition where a person's biological sex and identity does not match.

But Justine Greening said she wanted to reform the 2004 Gender Recognition Act to make the process less intrusive.

Earlier this year, HSBC said it would offer its transgender community a choice of 10 new gender-neutral titles including Mx, Ind, M, Mre, and Misc.

Last year, transgender headteacher Claire Birkenshaw announced she had become the first to transition whilst still in her position.

Gender-neutral uniform policies also are now in place in more than 80 mixed-sex schools. Oxford has been approached for comment.