Nominations are open for The Election 2025.

Find out more about the roles, how to nominate yourself, frequently asked questions and more.

KEY DATES

NOMINATIONS OPEN

10 FEBRUARY 2025

NOMINATIONS CLOSE

27 MARCH 2025

VOTING OPEN

2 APRIL 2025

VOTING CLOSES

8 APRIL 2025

Stand for a Role

KEY DATES

NOMINATIONS OPEN

10 FEBRUARY 2025

NOMINATIONS CLOSE

27 MARCH 2025

VOTING OPEN

2 APRIL 2025

VOTING CLOSES

8 APRIL 2025

Stand for a Role

BENEFITS

Leadership Experience

You gain hands-on experience as a trustee and student leader, driving initiatives that impact the whole student community.

Influence and Advocacy

You have a platform to advocate for students’ needs and influence change at ARU and beyond.

Networking Opportunities

You get to build connections with university, local, and national leaders, and work together on making positive change.

A Year in Focus

A full-time role offers a unique chance to break from your studies or take on a graduate job like no other, with full focus on making a tangible difference for your fellow students.

Creative Freedom

You have the opportunity to plan and implement your own campaigns and initiatives, and lobby for students on the things that really matter.

Professional Development

Being an officer means that you can develop skills like communication, negotiation, community building, public speaking, campaign planning, and more.

Becoming a sabbatical officer wasn’t just a role—it was a journey that transformed my passion into purpose. I didn’t just represent students; I empowered a community, grew as a leader, and created a legacy that will outlive my term.

THE ROLES

Below are the five roles we are electing in The Leadership Election 2025. Each is a bespoke, paid role representing students.

The 'portfolio' roles are open to everyone and are full time; you need to have completed your studies, or take a pause for a year if elected in one of these roles. The 'campus' roles are part time and will be taken alongside studies by the elected student at that campus. You must be continuing your studies in 25/26 to take on these roles.

Those elected will all be trustees of the Students' Union and will be employed as Officers from 30th June 2025 to June 2026.

Click on a role below to find out more about what it involves:

Role Description

Serves as the primary representative of the student body to the university, external organisations, and other stakeholders.
Provides strategic leadership for the Union, ensuring all activities align with its vision, mission, and values.
Chairs the Union’s Trustee Board.
Acts as the Student Governor on the University Board of Governors and relevant sub-committees.
Leads the officer team, fostering collaboration, providing guidance, and ensuring their work aligns with Union priorities.
Ensures the voices of all students are effectively heard and represented in Union decision-making processes.
Represents students on university committees and at external events where student interests are discussed.

Responsibilities Shared by All Officers

Portfolio and campus officers are equal within the Union’s democratic structures.
Ensure that the voices of all students within their remits are effectively heard, represented, and acted upon in Union decisions.
Collaborate to address campus-specific and Union-wide issues.
Support and champion local democratic structures, ensuring all students have a voice in shaping their Union and university experience.
Promote the Union’s values and strategies through their work, ensuring their initiatives align with the organisation’s mission.
Actively engage with students, creating opportunities for feedback, consultation, and participation in Union activities.

Job Description

Role Description

Represents students’ interests in extracurricular activities and social engagement.
Supports the development of student-led clubs, societies, and groups.
Ensures activities and events reflect the diverse interests of the student body.
Advocates for students’ views on extracurricular opportunities in Union decision-making processes.
Represents students on university committees related to student engagement and opportunities.

Responsibilities Shared by All Officers

Portfolio and campus officers are equal within the Union’s democratic structures.
Ensure that the voices of all students within their remits are effectively heard, represented, and acted upon in Union decisions.
Collaborate to address campus-specific and Union-wide issues.
Support and champion local democratic structures, ensuring all students have a voice in shaping their Union and university experience.
Promote the Union’s values and strategies through their work, ensuring their initiatives align with the organisation’s mission.
Actively engage with students, creating opportunities for feedback, consultation, and participation in Union activities.

Job Description

Role Description

Represents the academic interests of students across all ARU campuses.
Leads the academic representation system, supporting student reps to effectively advocate for their peers.
Works with academic departments to address issues related to teaching, learning, and assessment.
Ensures student academic concerns are effectively heard and acted upon within Union decision-making processes.
Represents students on university academic committees and advocates for their educational needs.

Responsibilities Shared by All Officers

Portfolio and campus officers are equal within the Union’s democratic structures.
Ensure that the voices of all students within their remits are effectively heard, represented, and acted upon in Union decisions.
Collaborate to address campus-specific and Union-wide issues.
Support and champion local democratic structures, ensuring all students have a voice in shaping their Union and university experience.
Promote the Union’s values and strategies through their work, ensuring their initiatives align with the organisation’s mission.
Actively engage with students, creating opportunities for feedback, consultation, and participation in Union activities.

Job Description

Role Description

Represents the interests of international and postgraduate research (PGR) students across all ARU campuses.
Advocates for the needs of international students in Union and university decision-making processes.
Organises activities and campaigns promoting cultural integration and inclusivity.
Represents international students on relevant university committees and forums.
Advocates for the non-academic student experience of PGR students, ensuring their voices are heard and their needs met.

Responsibilities Shared by All Officers

Portfolio and campus officers are equal within the Union’s democratic structures.
Ensure that the voices of all students within their remits are effectively heard, represented, and acted upon in Union decisions.
Collaborate to address campus-specific and Union-wide issues.
Support and champion local democratic structures, ensuring all students have a voice in shaping their Union and university experience.
Promote the Union’s values and strategies through their work, ensuring their initiatives align with the organisation’s mission.
Actively engage with students, creating opportunities for feedback, consultation, and participation in Union activities.

Job Description

Role Description

Focuses on the welfare and well-being of all students, particularly those from liberation groups.
Leads campaigns on issues such as mental health, equality, and safety.
Works with university services to ensure students have access to appropriate support.
Advocates for the voices of marginalised student groups in Union decision-making processes.
Represents students in welfare-related university committees and working groups.

Responsibilities Shared by All Officers

Portfolio and campus officers are equal within the Union’s democratic structures.
Ensure that the voices of all students within their remits are effectively heard, represented, and acted upon in Union decisions.
Collaborate to address campus-specific and Union-wide issues.
Support and champion local democratic structures, ensuring all students have a voice in shaping their Union and university experience.
Promote the Union’s values and strategies through their work, ensuring their initiatives align with the organisation’s mission.
Actively engage with students, creating opportunities for feedback, consultation, and participation in Union activities.

Job Description

Role Description

Serve as the recognised formal representative voice for students on the London campus.
Advocate for campus-specific issues in Union decision-making and ensure they are addressed effectively.
Act as a key link between the Union and the London student body.
Work closely with Portfolio Officers to ensure campus-specific needs are reflected in Union-wide initiatives and strategies.
Facilitate opportunities for students at their campuses to engage with the Union and its activities.

Responsibilities Shared by All Officers

Portfolio and campus officers are equal within the Union’s democratic structures.
Ensure that the voices of all students within their remits are effectively heard, represented, and acted upon in Union decisions.
Collaborate to address campus-specific and Union-wide issues.
Support and champion local democratic structures, ensuring all students have a voice in shaping their Union and university experience.
Promote the Union’s values and strategies through their work, ensuring their initiatives align with the organisation’s mission.
Actively engage with students, creating opportunities for feedback, consultation, and participation in Union activities.

Job Description

Role Description

Serve as the recognised formal representative voice for students on the Peterborough campus.
Advocate for campus-specific issues in Union decision-making and ensure they are addressed effectively.
Act as a key link between the Union and the Peterborough student body.
Work closely with Portfolio Officers to ensure campus-specific needs are reflected in Union-wide initiatives and strategies.
Facilitate opportunities for students at their campuses to engage with the Union and its activities.

Responsibilities Shared by All Officers

Portfolio and campus officers are equal within the Union’s democratic structures.
Ensure that the voices of all students within their remits are effectively heard, represented, and acted upon in Union decisions.
Collaborate to address campus-specific and Union-wide issues.
Support and champion local democratic structures, ensuring all students have a voice in shaping their Union and university experience.
Promote the Union’s values and strategies through their work, ensuring their initiatives align with the organisation’s mission.
Actively engage with students, creating opportunities for feedback, consultation, and participation in Union activities.

Job Description

Role Description

Serve as the recognised formal representative voice for students on the Writtle campus.
Advocate for campus-specific issues in Union decision-making and ensure they are addressed effectively.
Act as a key link between the Union and the Writtle student body.
Work closely with Portfolio Officers to ensure campus-specific needs are reflected in Union-wide initiatives and strategies.
Facilitate opportunities for students at their campuses to engage with the Union and its activities.

Responsibilities Shared by All Officers

Portfolio and campus officers are equal within the Union’s democratic structures.
Ensure that the voices of all students within their remits are effectively heard, represented, and acted upon in Union decisions.
Collaborate to address campus-specific and Union-wide issues.
Support and champion local democratic structures, ensuring all students have a voice in shaping their Union and university experience.
Promote the Union’s values and strategies through their work, ensuring their initiatives align with the organisation’s mission.
Actively engage with students, creating opportunities for feedback, consultation, and participation in Union activities.

Job Description

Stand for a Role

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NOMINATIONS ARE NOW OPEN...

The Process

This is The Leadership Election 2025 - your chance to make your voice heard and choose the students who will drive change on your behalf. The Election is broken down into these exciting stages…

Apply for a role (Monday 10 February - Thursday 27 March)

This is the phase where you can apply (nominate yourself) for one of the roles. You can only apply for one role. You will need to complete an eligibility check form, have a 1:1 with the elections team and submit a manifesto and photograph in order to complete your application. Manifesto and training sessions can be found on the Candidates Hub

Attend a training session

The SU will be hosting training sessions to help you plan your manifesto and campaigning activities. Come along to give yourself the best chance of winning. Book your space on the Candidates Hub

Attend a Candidate Briefing

This session is a must for all candidates - hear about the rules, budgets and how to get the most of the voting period. (Dates and times TBC)

Campaign and talk to students

You should start promoting that you are running for a position in the The Leadership Election 2025 once voting opens. It is your chance to do everything that you can to get the most votes in your category. Use this period to convince the student body that you are the best person for the role and that they should vote for you. You can use posters, social media posts, leafleting, freebees and a whole range of campaigning methods on campus.

Voting is open (Wednesday 2 April 9:00 - Tuesday 8 April 14:00)

Voting is open! Now’s the time to make sure your audience are voting. All eligible students can vote for who they want to lead ARU Students' Union. Voting is available online and in voting booths across our campuses. Students vote in order of preference.

Results are announced (Wednesday 9 April)

The results of The Leadership Election 2025 are announced online.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

What dates would I be in my role if I win?

The term will run from 30th June 2025 to the end of June 2026.

Are the roles paid?

First year officers are on band 1.4 - £24,152.90 / Returning officers will be 1.5 - £24,806.07.

First year part time officers working 14 hours per week will be £9,661.16 / Returning part-time officers working 14 hours per week will be £9,922.43.

First year part time officers with London weighting working 14 hours per week will be £11,243.16 / Second year part-time officers with London weighting working 14 hours per week will be £11,504.43.

Will I be a Trustee?

All elected Officers will be trustees of the Union.

Can I stand as an international student?

Absolutely! We will check your visa as part of your application.

Can I stand if I am a post graduate student?

Yes you can.

Can I run in a slate / as a group?

No - all nominees must run as an individual.

I'm in my final year, can I be an officer?

Yes, you can apply for any of the full-time, portfolio positions.

Where will I work?

Portfolio based roles will choose one ARU campuses as their home campus, and will be required to regularly travel to the other 4 campuses. Campus based roles will work primarily at their home campus and will be required to travel to the other campuses when needed.

How do I get elected?

You will create a manifesto as part of the nomination process and encourage students to vote for you. You will have a £100 budget to help you grab students attention and get elected.

Who can vote?

All registered students of ARU can votes for all of the roles - that means those studying at Cambridge, Chelmsford, Peterborough, Writtle and London as well as distance learners.

I have a query...

For any queries, or to arrange to speak to a staff member, you can email our Elections Team at theelections@angliastudent.com

I have a complaint...

For complaints, you must complete the form here.