What is the SU?

The Students' Union is here to make your student experience as rewarding and enjoyable as possible. It’s led by students who are elected by students to represent students!

The SU building has Maggie’s Bar & Café downstairs and an office area upstairs. Working with a fabulous staff team, elected students are at the forefront of helping you to have the best experience possible while studying at QMU.

The SU works in a range of areas: Representation, Student Support (The HelpZone), Events, Communications, and Sports & Societies. The student officer roles give you a chance to be involved in the areas that interest you.

The number 1 priority of the Students’ Union is to ensure that student views are heard in as many ways and places as possible. We aim to make sure that every student at QMU is represented but we can only do that with support from our students.

Please take some time to have a look through all the sections below and if you have any questions feel free to pop in to the QMUSU Office (above Maggie’s) or email us on union@qmu.ac.uk

What is the Officer Committee?

The SU Officer Committee is made up of 10 elected student representatives. They are responsible for much of the running of the SU. Collectively, they are responsible for making sure that the SU is student-focused and responds to the needs of the students.

The Officer Committee meets regularly to discuss campaigns and events, raise student feedback and each officers brings their unique perspective to the room.

The President - Academic Life, President - Student Activities and one Part-time Officer are members of the Board of Trustees. As the SU is a registered charity, the Trustee Board ensures it is legally compliant in all areas. Student officers who join the Trustee Board therefore take on extra responsibilities.

Sabbatical Officers

The President Academic Life and President Student Activities are paid to work full time in the Students' Union for 12 months (June to June), either taking a year out from their degree or at the end of their degree. They are paid £XXXX per annum and work 36 hours per week, typically 9am-5pm or 10am-6pm.

Both Presidents steer the direction of the SU and have a lot of scope to make change within the University. They form a close working relationship with the University senior leadership team, attend University committees and are members of University Court and Senate. Sabbatical Officers have the support of the whole SU staff team to help them make their ideas a reality.

Part-time Officers

The 8 Part-time Officers are volunteers and perform their duties alongside their studies. Part-time Officers work on campaigns, awarenss, events, community building and conveying student feedback to the SU and the University - all driven by what they are passionate about. They are also supported by the SU staff team to help them achieve their goals. They attend the fficer Committee and support the other Officers.

The Officer Committee meets at least once a month, so being an Officer requires a substantial time commitment; however Officers can choose how much they are involved in to make sure it fits around study, placement etc. It can be a busy role, but there are huge rewards and it can be a lot of fun!

Standing for Elections

We know that many students find the elections process daunting, but the SU team provides support throughout the whole process. You're always welcome to speak with SU staff if you have any questions or concerns - we're here to help. We want every student to feel confident and empowered to get involved, so please don't hesitate to reach out.

This is a Sabbatical Officer Role. This is what the President - Academic Life typically does.

• Full time paid role, 36 hours a week for 12 months.
• The principal representative of the Students’ Union for academic matters.
• Overall responsibility for the operation of the Students’ Union democratic systems, including overseeing the running of elections and convening the Elections Committee (unless the President - Academic Life is running for re-election).
• Represents the opinions of QMU students to decision-makers within the University.
• Leads on working with and developing academic representation within the University.
• Actively contributes to the improvement of the educational experience at QMU.
• Acts as an official spokesperson of the Students’ Union.
• Works with the Chief Executive Officer and Student Officers for the continued development of the Students’ Union.
• Is a member of the Board of Trustees. Trustees have a shared responsibility ensuring the SU is working towards its charitable objectives. Trustees are ultimately responsible for the financial and strategic oversight of the organisation and work as a collective board to manage this and mitigate any risk.
• Works with the Officer Committee on campaigns especially related to welfare, education and representation while providing guidance and support to Part-time Officers.
• Is aware of the support procedures involved in academic matters and supports students when appropriate.
• Organises and presents at Academic Council working alongside the President – Student Activities and the Class Reps.
• Represents the Students’ Union on appropriate University committees which include Senate and University Court.

This is a Sabbatical Officer Role. This is what the President - Student Activities typically does:

• Full time paid role, 36 hours a week for 12 months.
• The principal representative of the Students’ Union for student activities.
• Responsible for effectively publicising the activities and services of the Students’ Union and for gathering feedback from students to inform the decision-making processes and development of the Students’ Union.
• Overall responsibility for student activities and development, including the development and funding of the Students’ Union’s Sports and Societies, working in conjunction with the relevant Officers, volunteers and Students’ Union staff as well as working with external and governing bodies.
• Responsible for communicating with the Sports & Societies membership and for the promotion of the Students’ Union through a range of media.
• Works closely with the staff team on the main SU events.
• Is a member of the Board of Trustees. Trustees have a shared responsibility ensuring the SU is working towards its charitable objectives. Trustees are ultimately responsible for the financial and strategic oversight of the organisation and work as a collective board to manage this and mitigate any risk.
• Represents the Students’ Union on appropriate University committees, which include Senate and University Court.
• Works with the Officer Committee, especially with Societies Officer and Sports Officer, while providing guidance and support to Part-time Officers.
• Has regular communication with all S&S Committees.

This is a Part-time Officer Role. This is what the Black Minority Ethnic (BME) Officer typically does:

• Must be a BME Student.
• To represent Black, Asian and minority ethnic students within QMU, promoting equality between students of different races and ethnicities.
• Helping to build a strong community of BME students at QMU by creating and running events and social activities for BME students.
• Coordinate campaigns around ethnic minority issues and promoting anti-racism.
• Work with other officers and Union staff to further the diversity of the Students’ Union, including encouraging BME students to participate in its democratic and representative activities (e.g. elections, referendums, Class Reps).
• Actively communicate with the students you represent, tell them what you are working on and find out their views and needs.
• Is a member of the Race Equality Steering Group Committee. This meets 5 times per academic year.
• Works with both Presidents and the Officers Committee in promoting Black History Month and any connected events.

Please note that this role does not involve giving direct advice to students.

This is a Part-time Officer Role. This is what the Equity, Diversity & Inclusion Officer typically does:

• Leads on equity, diversity and inclusion matters and makes appropriate recommendations to the Officer Committee.
• Promotes equal opportunities for all students throughout the University.
• Represents minorities and under-represented groups in the University.
• Liaises with other Students’ Union Officer Committee members to promote a proactive approach to awareness raising of equity and diversity related issues through campaign work.
• Ensures compliance at all levels with the equal opportunities policies of the Students’ Union and promotes the involvement of under-represented groups.
• Contributes to, promotes and attends the Equality & Diversity Committee, reporting to that committee on any relevant activities they’ve been taking part in, working on issues being raised at the forum and ensuring the discussions of the committee are reported to the Officer Committee.
• Is an active member of relevant University committees.

Please note that this role does not involve giving direct advice to students.

This is a Part-time Officer Role. This is what the International Officer typically does:

• Must be an International student.
• Leads on International student matters and makes appropriate recommendations to the Officer Committee.
• Represents International students in the University.
• Helps to build a strong community of International students at QMU by creating and running events and social activities for international students.
• Actively communicates with the students you represent, tell them what you are working on and find out their views and needs.
• Develop and maintain communication processes for International students to be able to provide feedback on QMU and QMUSU.
• Liaises with other Students’ Union Officer Committee members to promote a proactive approach to raising awareness of International student related issues through campaign work.

Please note that this role does not involve giving direct advice to students.

This is a Part-time Officer Role. This is what the Post-graduate Officer typically does:

• Leads on post-graduate matters and makes appropriate recommendations to the Officer Committee.
• Represents taught and research post-graduate students ensuring their voice and views are heard at all relevant committees.
• Acts as a point of liaison between the Doctoral Students Association, or equivalent, and the Officer Committee.
• Actively seeks the views of post-graduate students of the Students’ Union services and on their experience at QMUSU.
• Runs campaigns and other activities to improve the experience of post-graduate students at QMU.
• Provides a post-graduate perspective on SU activities.
• Is an active member of any relevant University committees.

Please note that this role does not involve giving direct advice to students.

This is a Part-time Officer Role. This is what the Societies Officer typically does:

• Works with the President - Student Activities to support the development of student societies.
• Leads on societies’ matters and makes appropriate recommendations to the Officer Committee.
• Promotes opportunities for student participation in societies (including the development of new societies).
• Supports societies to achieve and celebrate success.
• Assists societies to organise internal and external events.
• Is an active member of any relevant University committees.
• Works with the Student Voice Officer to ensure full Society participation in the Events Calendar.

This is a Part-time Officer Role. This is what the Sports Officer typically does:

• Works with the President Student Activities to support the development of the University’s sports teams.
• Leads on sports’ matters and makes appropriate recommendations to the Officer Committee.
• Promotes opportunities for student participation in sports (including the development of new teams).
• Supports teams to achieve and celebrate success.
• Assists teams to organise internal and external events.
• Liaises with the QMU Sports centre as appropriate.
• Is an active member of any relevant University committees.
• Works with the Student Voice Officer to ensure full Sports participation in the Events Calendar.

This is a Part-time Officer Role. This is what the Student Voice Officer typically does:

• Leads on SU events and makes appropriate recommendations to the Officer Committee.
• Develops and implements systems for gathering and acting on student feedback and ensuring the student body is kept informed of any progress or outcomes.
• Works with the Officers Committee and SU staff to effectively promote Students’ Unions events and news.
• Works alongside the President – Academic Life to promote and support Class Reps.
• Provides support for students with their events as appropriate.
• Promotes and attends Campus Life Forum and deputises for the Presidents when unavailable.
• Is an active member of relevant University committees.

Please note that this role does not involve giving direct advice to students.

This is a Part-time Officer Role. This is what the Wellbeing Officer typically does:

• Leads on wellbeing matters and makes appropriate recommendations to the Officer Committee.
• Works closely with SU staff to develop and promote the HelpZone.
• Promotes the services within QMU and QMUSU which provide good quality support, guidance and information on welfare-related issues.
• Develops and delivers wellbeing campaigns designed to support and inform QMU students with support from appropriate SU staff.
• In conjunction with the appropriate member of Union staff, ensures that students are offered support, guidance and information.
• Acts as a representative on wellbeing related issues within the Students’ Union and the University.
• Liaises with other Students’ Union Officers and relevant wellbeing agencies to raise awareness of related issues and to run wellbeing campaigns.
• Is an active member of relevant University committees.

Please note that this role does not involve giving direct advice to students.

Running for Elections

• Step 1 Think about what role you want to stand for and what you could bring to that role. Start to think of ideas for your campaign.
• Step 2 Speak to existing Officers or SU staff to ask any questions you have and get clarity on what being an Officer requires.
• Step 3 Fill out a nomination form and submit it by 12 noon on Thursday 5th of March 2026. Nomination forms are available here from 2nd of February. A member of the SU team will then get in touch with you to answer any queries you may have.
• Step 4 Get a Campaign team together. As you are planning and going through your election campaign you will need people around you that you trust to look after you and your campaign.
• Step 5 Attend the briefing session on Thursday 5th of March 2026 to get all the information you need, as well as some campaigning tips and skills. If you can’t attend you can send someone in your place.
• Step 6 Submit all required material to union@qmu.ac.uk by 10pm on Monday 9th of March 2026. A full list and details of what you need to submit can be found in the Material required section. 
• Step 7 Once approved, the SU will load your candidate’s message on to the QMUSU website and put up your posters in the designated area.
• Step 8 Start campaigning! Encourage as many people as possible to vote in the elections once polls open on Friday 13th of March 2026 at 10am. All voting will be held online through the SU website at qmusu.org.uk.
• Step 9 Attend Candidate Question Time on Friday 13th of March at 2pm. This is your opportunity to introduce yourself to the student population and answer any questions they may have.

What you need to prepare

Campaign Points

This is what you’ll be telling students what you’d do if you were elected. Keep it realistic! There’s no point promising to do something that you can’t deliver on.

Posters & flyers

Have your key messages on there and make them attractive. Remember your name and what position you’re standing for!

Candidate's statement

This is a 200 word message that will go out to all students on-line and in the Candidate Guide in the run up to the elections. It’s your chance to talk directly to those who will vote for you.

1 minute campaign video (optional): talk directly to voters about why they should choose you. We'll share all candidates' videos on the SU social media prior to voting opening. You can be as creative as you like in this video to make it really engaging!

Think carefully about your key message – is it attractive to students at QMU, will it improve the SU and the student experience, is it actually achievable?

Please refer to the Material Required section for more information.

Decide who you would like to back you

For Sabbatical Officer, you neex 10 SU members to second you.

For Part-time Officers you only require two SU members to second your proposal. All current QMU students are automatically members of the Students’ Union. Discuss your nomination with them and get their QMU emails, so we can get in touch with them to verify your nomination. (Tell them to check their QMU emails as your nomination cannot proceed without their email response!).

Polling times: Friday 13th of March 2026 at 10am until Thursday 19th of March 2026 at 12noon.

All elected officers will attend a mandatory residential training on DD/MM/2026 and a planning day before Welcome Week. 

Your term begins on 10th June 2026. Sabbatical Officers take up post on that date and are expected to be available to start their induction. We appreciate that for Part-time Officers availability over the summer will be limited so generally the start date for Part-time Officers will be the beginning of Semester 1 of 2026.

Publicity and materials

You need to provide your own digital publicity designs for your campaign.

Please refer to the Material Required section for more information.

All publicity materials e.g. T-shirts, freebies, websites etc. are subject to Election Committee approval and must be paid for out of your campaign allowance.

Allowances and donations

Each candidate has campaign allowance to help them run their campaign. This allowance can be used for promotion and promotional materials and your total costs should not exceed this allowance. For example, you should include printing costs & social media promotion costs as well as physical items. This includes purchases by members of your campaign team. Financial donations from externals are not allowed. The donation of resources from externals are allowed in some circumstances and must be approved by the Elections Committee before being accepted.

The allowance system is in place to ensure that candidates have equal opportunity regardless of their personal financial situation. If a candidate or their campaign team are found to have spent more than the allowance then the candidate can be disqualified from the elections process.

Candidates should declare expenditure and provide receipts as they spend and will be reimbursed the week after the elections. If you are not in a financial position to pay for your publicity in advance and receive reimbursement after the elections then please e-mail Sacha Forbes (sforbes@qmu.ac.uk) in complete confidence.

Sabbatical Officers are entitled to £50 allowance.

Part-time Officer candidates are entitled to up to £20.

Campaigning

Your campaign is how you let students know who you are and why they should vote for you.

Campaigning can be a mixture of online and in-person. However, the most impactful campaigning is in-person and a great chance to meet voters. All activity must comply with QMU and QMUSU guidelines.

Running a campaign that is visible to students outwith your usual network will be a challenge and will require you to think creatively. Links to all online platforms that you use must be submitted to the SU for monitoring purposes.

You are strongly advised to have a campaign team to support you during the elections. All members of your campaign team must be disclosed to the Students’ Union and you as a candidate will be held responsible for the conduct of your campaign team.

There are a number of things that all candidates must do as part of their campaign, including the provision of publicity material and attendance at ‘Candidates Question Time’.

Campaigning may only begin on the 11th of March 2026 to allow equal opportunity to every candidate. Ths includes posting online and encouraging students to follow candidates' campaign accounts.

Behaviour and conduct

It is expected that all candidates and their campaign teams treat everyone with the same level of respect that they would wish for themselves. Inappropriate, threatening, intimidating or defamatory language and behaviour is not acceptable on any platform. Any allegations of this will be investigated by the Elections Complaints Committee. Any candidate or campaign team member found to have behaved inappropriately risks being disqualified from the elections and all students risk disciplinary actions if they breach University regulations.

Online media

All candidates are permitted to utilise Facebook, Instagram and other social media for the purposes of campaigning, however no candidate may use any official SU platform to promote their campaign.

Candidates may build their own campaign website if they wish. All social media and webpages must be disclosed and made accessible to the Elections Committee for monitoring purposes.

Any candidate or member of a campaign team deemed to have used inappropriate, threatening or intimidating online campaign tactics may face being disqualified from the election and may face disciplinary proceedings according to the SU and University regulations. This will be as interpreted by the Elections Committee or Chief Returning Officer.

General rules

• All candidates must stand as individuals and not as a group/team.
• No personal campaign promotion should happen during official SU events.
• Candidates who are current Officers, work in the SU or in Maggie’s, ResLife, as a Student Ambassador or any other roles within the University, must not campaign while they are carrying out duties in their role.
• SU resources must not be used for the purpose of personal campaigning.
• All candidates are encouraged to familiarise themselves with the Elections Regulations, specifically the section titled Conduct in Elections, before campaigning begins.
• If in doubt about anything please ask a member of the SU team.

The Deputy General Manager will be able to handle any queries, procedural issues or requests for information before and during the elections process. They can be contacted by emailing Sacha Forbes, sforbes@qmu.ac.uk, or union@qmu.ac.uk.

An Elections Complaints Committee will convene only where the Returning Officer and CEO are unable to handle a complaint (e.g. if it is about the Returning Officer or CEO). They can be contacted by emailing union@qmu.ac.uk

The CEO/Deputy Returning Officer (Dan Doyle) can be contacted on ddoyle@qmu.ac.uk or 0131 474 0170. The Chief Returning Officer can be contacted through the CEO.

For general enquiries, you can contact Ruth Elliott on relliott1@qmu.ac.uk.

Complete list of campaign material

In total, you will need to send: 

• 1 colour photo of yourself (head & shoulders) on a neutral background. The image must have the following format and dimensions: JPEG or PNG, max 5MB.
• 1 A statement (max 200 words) introducing yourself and explaining what you're planning to do if you get elected. Please supply this in a Word document.
• 1 poster design in colour, A4, pdf format.
• 1 campaign points flyer design in colour, A5, pdf format. 

All material must be submitted via the jotform which will be available here. 

Posters, flyers & videos

You need to provide your own digital poster designs for your campaign. 

The SU will print the following posters for you: 

• 1 A3 poster for Sabbatical positions (President - Academic Life and President - Student Activities). 
• 1 A4 poster ofr all Part-time positions. 

Please supply artwork for Posters in colour, A4, pdf format.

Your poster will typically have:

• Your name.
• Postion you're standing for.
• A photo of you
• A slogan (a short & striking or memorable phrase)
• Your social media handles (Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, etc.)

You can use free software like Canva.com to design your poster.

The SU can also print flyers up to the following amounts: 

• 100 A5 flyers for Sabbatical positions (President - Academic Life and President - Student Activities).
• 50 A5 flyers for all Part-time positions.

If you want the SU to print these for you, you must request them by the 9th of March 2026.

Any further quantitites must be paid for out of your campaign allowance and if you want the SU to print those for you, you'll need to request that, allowing for 2 working days to process it. 

Please supply artwork for flyers in colour, A5, pdf format.

Your flyer will typically have: 

• Your name.
• Position you're standing for.
• A photo of you.
• A slogan (a short & striking or memorable phrase)
• Some text explaining what you'll do if you get elected, e.g. your campaign points. 
• Your social media handles (Instagram, Facebook, TikTok).

Remember you can make use of both sides of the flyer! You can use software like Canva.com to design your flyer.

You can also supply a video (this is completely optional). If you decide to send us a video, it needs to have the following specs: 

• Portrait 1080 x 1920 px resolution with a 9:16 aspect ratio
• MP4 format
• Max 60 seconds