Future Elections

Before the conference, delegates will think about the priorities of UWS students and suggest policy ideas. At the conference, delegates will participate in feedback and dialogue with NUS officers and other students, participate in sessions to take work forwards, and help to shape upcoming priorities for Students, Students' Unions, and NUS. 

The National Union of Students (NUS) is a voluntary membership organisation which makes a real difference to the lives of students and its member students' unions – they represent 600 students' unions (including UWS Student Union), this amounts to more than 95% of all Colleges and Universities in the UK and more than 7 million student voices.

NUS Scotland is the Scottish arm of NUS and work to make the lives of those studying in Scotland better.

NUS Scotland Conference is very similar to National Conference, however is for Scottish based Colleges and Universities only, policy passed here will be directly influence the work of NUS Scotland officers.

NUS Scotland Conference will take place on Wednesday 27th and Thursday 28th March 2024 at Stirling Court Hotel, University of Stirling (all travel and expenses are paid).

National Conference is an annual event where representatives from Colleges and Universities across the UK debate and pass policy to decide the political direction of NUS.  Conference also elects the NUS President and Vice-Presidents for the year ahead.

NUS National Conference will take place on Wednesday 17th and Thursday 18th April 2024 at Winter Gardens, Blackpool (all travel and expenses are paid).

Liberation Conference provides students from underrepresented groups (also known as liberation groups) the opportunity to set the direction for the NUS’ Liberation campaigns and to elect their Officers and Committee.

Positions available for NUS Liberation conference include:

• Women students (one place)
• Black students* (one place)
• Black women students* (one place)
• Trans students (one place)
• LGBTQ+ students (one place)
• Disabled students (one place)

*The term ‘Black’ is used by the NUS to refer to African, Asian, Arab and Caribbean people and those who self-define as Black.

To be elected to Liberation conference, you must self identify into the group your are representing and you will be asked to provide this information when nominating.

NUS Liberation Conference will take place on Monday 15th and Tuesday 16th April 2024 at Winter Gardens, Blackpool (all travel and expenses are paid).

To find out more about what happens at Conference, you can visit the NUS Conference pages here - Conferences - NUS UK

Nominations open on Monday 30th October and close on Friday 10th November 12pm

Voting opens on Monday 13th November and closes on Thursday 16th November 11.59pm

Voting count will take place on Friday 17th November with results announced by 4pm.

If you would like to nominate yourself for an NUS Conference delegate position, please complete this form - NUS Conference Delegate nomination form (the form will open for nominations from Monday 30th October at 9am).

If you experience any issues with accessing the form, please contact representation@uwsunion.org.uk.

If you are looking to develop and use your leadership skills and like to have an overview of everything that is happening, this could be the perfect position for you!

The president leads the Students’ Union, and the team of sabbatical officers.

The president, alongside the board of trustees, is responsible for the actions of the students’ union, and will represent all student at UWS through attending meetings such as the University Court and Senate, and working in partnership with students, staff, and the wider student movement.

If you are passionate about learning and teaching, and see that the educational experience is central to your university experience, you could be the next VP Education!

The VP Education works to improve the learning experience at UWS.

They work particularly closely with student reps, focussing on education of course!

The VP education works to improve learning resources, curriculum, and teaching methods among other things.

If you are excited about all of the extra activities university has to offer such as clubs, societies, and volunteering this position could be a great fit for you!

The VP Student Development works to improve student lives at UWS outside of the classroom.

They work with clubs and societies, and work to develop opportunities for students.

This can include volunteering and skills training.

If you know university can be a tough time for students and want to help ensure students are cared for, why not apply to be the next Welfare and Wellbeing?

The VP Welfare and Wellbeing works to improve student welfare and wellbeing at UWS.

This includes helping to create a better environment for student mental health, and working towards solutions for student poverty.

Volunteer roles

If you don't want to take a break from your studies, you can take on a volunteer role while you study.

• School Officers bridge the gap between divisional reps and the Student Presidents
• School Officers gather information from divisional reps, sit on School Boards, and keep students informed, and work with the Students' Union to improve life for UWS students within their schools.
• There are two school officers per school at UWS, and this is a role you can complete during your studies to gain experience and skills, and an insight into how the university works!
• This role is open to those on taught programmes, and there is a seperate opportunity for research students.

• The Union Chair is a very important role within the Students' Union.
• The Union Chair is elected to hold the Student Presidents to account and is the chair of Student Council.
• This means chairing meetings that could have over 100 student reps in attendance and ensuring fair debating and voting on Student Union policy. 
• Holding the Student Presidents to account means making sure they are doing the job they promised to do. You may wish to meet regularly with them, interview them, or ask for reports. 

• School Officers bridge the gap between divisional reps and the Student Presidents
• School Officers gather information from divisional reps, sit on School Boards, and keep students informed, and work with the Students' Union to improve life for UWS students within their schools.
• There are two school officers per school at UWS, and this is a role you can complete during your studies to gain experience and skills, and an insight into how the university works!
• This role is open to those on taught programmes, and there is a seperate opportunity for research students.

• The Union Chair is a very important role within the Students' Union.
• The Union Chair is elected to hold the Student Presidents to account and is the chair of Student Council.
• This means chairing meetings that could have over 100 student reps in attendance and ensuring fair debating and voting on Student Union policy. 
• Holding the Student Presidents to account means making sure they are doing the job they promised to do. You may wish to meet regularly with them, interview them, or ask for reports. 

Any of these positions are an excellent opportunity to:

• Make a difference – improve UWS for your fellow students by making sure that students are heard!

• Develop skills – you’ll get an opportunity to attend meetings, work in partnership with university staff, and develop your skills for the workplace.

• Get training and support – Whatever role you stand for your Students’ Union will support you to campaign, and if you’re elected your Students’ Union is here to support you in your role.

We believe that students should be at the heart of everything that happens at UWS – Elections make sure that the student representatives truly represent the views of students, and that the student voice is heard at every level of the university.

The process for nominating yourself is coming soon, but you won't be able to put yourself forwards until January 2024.