Running for an Officer Position as an International Student
Are you an international student thinking about running in our leadership elections in Semester 2? Becoming a sabbatical officer is an exciting opportunity to represent the student community, bring new ideas to life, and make a positive impact on student life at Worcester. This role gives you the chance to make important decisions, influence university policies, and create change for both home and international students. It’s essential to understand what the role involves and to think carefully about some key considerations before you begin your campaign.
Worcester Students’ Union holds elections every spring to elect three sabbatical officers. These officers then take up their role in that following summer (normally in June) and work for the Students’ Union for a year, representing all students studying at University of Worcester. As long as you are a registered University of Worcester student, you can get involved – you can run as a candidate and / or vote in the elections!
As an international student, you can stand for election (which means you become a candidate in the election and students can vote to elect you into this position), and if necessary, you can extend your stay in the UK in order to work full-time as a Students’ Union Sabbatical Officer.
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To read the full elections guidance for international students, click here.
To read the legal guidance for visas for international students as elected officers, click here.
To read our glossary of election terms, click here.
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What Is a Sabbatical Officer?
A sabbatical officer is a student representative elected to lead and manage various areas within the students' union. These positions are full-time, paid roles lasting one year. As a sabbatical officer, you’ll work with students, university staff, and external partners to address important issues, improve student services, and support the interests of all students across all campuses.
Why run to be an Officer?
Becoming a sabbatical officer can offer you:
- Leadership Experience: A chance to develop leadership, communication, and organisational skills.
- Networking Opportunities: Opportunities to work closely with university leaders and build connections in different fields.
- Platform to Make Change: The ability to advocate for the issues that matter to you and other students.
- Personal and Professional Growth: Skills and experience that can benefit you long after graduation.
Things to Consider
- Eligibility and Visa Implications
- Make sure you meet the requirements to run in the election. Our requirements are normally that you are a currently registered student of University of Worcester. You can email to SU Elections Team to find out more.
- If you’re on a student visa, becoming a sabbatical officer might affect your visa status, as the role requires full-time hours. UK allows international students to take on this role, but it’s important to check regulations. You can speak with the university’s International Team for advice.
- Campaigning
- Campaigning may be different from what you’re used to, especially in terms of language, social cues, and campaigning styles.
- If English isn’t your first language, remember that you can get help with translating your ideas and planning your campaign message to make it accessible for all students. You can email to SU Elections Team to chat this through.
- Financial and Time Commitment
- Sabbatical roles come with a salary, but you’ll need to consider any financial and time commitments associated with campaigning and any potential visa extension.
- Representation and Inclusivity
- As an international student, you can bring a valuable perspective to the role. Your experiences can help shape a more inclusive environment for all students, especially other international students.
- Think about how you will reach out to diverse groups, including home students and students from various backgrounds, to understand their needs and ensure your campaign is inclusive.
- Building a Support Team
- A strong support network can make a big difference during your campaign. Consider reaching out to friends and classmates to help with your campaign (they may become known as your campaign team and help you during the campaigning period, going out and about and talking to students on your behalf).
Frequently Asked Questions
I am an international student on the Student (previously known as Tier 4) visa, can I become a sabbatical officer?
Yes, we encourage international students to become sabbatical officers. You are eligible to become a sabbatical officer under the Student/Tier 4 visa if you take a break from your studies to undertake this position. You can also become a sabbatical officer as a new graduate in the academic year immediately following the completion of your studies at the University.
What visa status do sabbatical officers have?
If you were a student studying on a Student/Tier 4 visa, you will be working under that visa. Your employer will be Worcester Students’ Union.
Can I study full time and become a sabbatical officer?
No, the sabbatical officer role is full-time employment. Therefore, you will be required to work for 37 hours a week for Worcester Students’ Union.
I currently have a Student/Tier 4 visa, do I need to apply for a new one to start working as a sabbatical officer?
You can start work as a sabbatical officer on your existing visa if it is valid. If your visa expires before the completion of your term as a sabbatical officer, you will be required to apply for an extension to your visa.
Is there a cost to my visa application / extension to work as a sabbatical officer?
There will likely be a cost to your Tier 4 visa application/extension, including an NHS surcharge. We’d recommend having a chat to the International Team and checking the criteria to your visa extension before submitting your nomination to run in the elections to make sure you know all associated costs.
Useful Resources
- UK Council for International Student Affairs (UKCISA) – UKCISA offers advice for international students on visas, working rights, and other important matters.
- National Union of Students (NUS) – NUS provides resources on running for office, campaigning tips, and general support for student representatives.
- Click here to head to our Candidate Information Hub, where you can find all the information, forms, and training to help make your elections experience a success.
- For further information on our elections please contact our Elections Team at suelections@worc.ac.uk