Election season for the Oxford Student Union has begun, with nominations now open and campaigning set to begin on 3 February 2026. Every matriculated student at the University of Oxford is automatically a member of the Student Union. Yet if asked, many are unsure what that really means. What is at stake in these elections, what positions are to be voted on, and what actually is the Student Union?

What is the Student Union? What does it do?

Not to be confused with the debating society, the Oxford Union, the Student Union acts as a link between students, JCRs and MCRs (the student run bodies within colleges which represent undergraduates and postgraduates respectively), and the University. The Student Union’s main, stated purpose is to represent all Oxford University students. This includes representation in academic matters but also those related to students’ broader university life.

The structure for this representation is four, elected ‘Sabbatical Officers’, backed up by a number of elected ‘Part-time Officers’, alongside a board of trustees. Sabbatical Officers are Oxford University students who take a year out of their studies to work full-time, salaried positions leading the Student Union. They are tasked with raising the student voice at the senior, university level. These are the key roles on the upcoming ballot. The four positions are as follows: 

  • President for Undergraduates
  • President for Postgraduates
  • President for Welfare, Equity & Inclusion
  • President for Communities & Common Rooms

Part-time Officers are students too, but they do not work full time. They are elected to their positions by students. They fulfil a wide range of roles, including but not limited to a Societies Officer, an LGBTQ+ Officer, a Sports Officer, and a Black and Ethnic Minorities Students’ Officer. Equity Officers such as the LGBTQ+ Officer represent students from marginalised communities, tasked with addressing “equality and community-based issues” in the University through campaign work and lobbying for funding and policy. Meanwhile, Community Officers, like the Societies Officer, represent members of the various student communities within the University – such as students in societies or those involved in fundraising, helping to facilitate their activities.

As a registered charity, the Student Union additionally has a board of trustees providing oversight and “legal and financial accountability”. Amongst those sitting on this board are Student Trustees, who are also to be elected in the coming weeks.

Much of the Student Union’s structure has been changed following their “Transformation Plan”. After admitting that they “failed” to meet standards in the past, they moved to operating essential services only, undertaking an 18-month “student-led consultation”. From this emerged the new Conference of Common Rooms pilot. The Student Union describes the CCR as a new way for students to have their say in “decision making, representation, and policy development”. Typically convening in weeks 3 and 7, the CCR is attended by officers of the Student Union and common room presidents. The Oxford Blue will be covering the CCR meetings this term, so look out for that if it sounds interesting.

When are the elections, how do they work, and how can I vote?

15 posts are up for election including the four Sabbatical Officer positions. The nomination period is currently open. Nominations close on 30 January 2026, and prospective candidates can nominate themselves through the nomination submission point.

After nominations close, the candidates will be briefed on 2 February. The campaigning period will begin on 3 February, coinciding with a hustings where candidates will address potential voters. 

Voting begins on 9 February, lasting until 12 February. All Oxford University students are eligible to vote. Voting will take place online and follow the Single Transferable Vote (STV) system, in which voters rank candidates in order of preference. The option to vote to re-open nominations is also available.

Results will be announced Friday 13 February, the day after voting closes.

What now?

Look out for The Oxford Blue’s coverage of the elections, including interviews with candidates and a report on the results when they are announced.