New model. New roles. Your turn to lead the Guild. Apply or nominate a friend by 19 Jan 2026.
Join our 2026/27 Student Leadership Team
Every year, students like you vote for the student Officers they want to represent them in our leadership elections. These student leaders speak up on the issues that matter most to you, holding the university to account and leading your Students’ Guild.
Over the past year, thousands of students have shaped what our new representation model looks like. Student leadership at Exeter is now broader and more inclusive, with more student voices at the heart of everything and more chances for you to step up and lead change.




Step up and Lead
Do you champion your community? Have something to say about education, research and learning? Full of ideas on employability? Or passionate about sustainability, equality and diversity?
You’re exactly what we’re looking for. Students who want to lead Exeter and make things better for others.
The most unique interview ever: campaign for students' votes in the Student Leadership Elections.
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Represent students at the highest University and Guild levels on everything related to learning, research, academic experience and career opportunities.
Represent students at the highest University and Guild levels on everything related to life beyond lectures – wellbeing, housing, societies, sustainability, campus culture and community.
This role is currently under review by the Athletics Union to make sure it truly reflects student sport at Exeter – with a focus on improving access, boosting participation, and putting student voice at the heart of decisions.
You said you wanted more opportunities to get involved and more relevant course and community-level voices, whatever your background or experience.
Our new model is supported by more paid, flexible and diverse student leadership roles than ever before – perfect for fitting alongside your studies.
Register your InterestApplications open in Term 2. You’ll go through a job-style interview with a panel of students - where you’ll have the chance to showcase your skills, experience and potential to lead.
Fix big-picture academic issues
You’ll support Department Officers, raise faculty-wide issues and make sure students’ voices are heard in key meetings.
Champion student voice across your Department
You’ll collect student feedback from different courses and reps, working with academic staff to drive change that benefits everyone in your department.
Shape your coursemates’ experience
Work with course leaders and Department Officers to improve course content, teaching, assessments, and materials - all based on what your coursemates tell you. Join paid forums to share feedback.
Represent the voice and experience of Postgraduate Researchers
You’ll work with PGR reps to make their voice heard in key meetings, raising issues and co-creating solutions with students.
Shape your coursemates’ experience
Work with course leaders and Department Officers to improve course content, teaching, assessments, and materials - all based on what your coursemates tell you. Join paid forums to share feedback.
Build a stronger sense of community on St Luke’s campus.
You’ll ensure students’ voices are heard, shaping Guild services, and giving students a say in what happens in their spaces.
Support committee members in shaping how 260+ societies grow and thrive.
You’ll improve the experiences of leaders and members – from researching best practice, to recommending improvements and facilitating discussions.
Tackle big issues like housing, wellbeing and transport, creating ways for students to speak up.
You’ll work with the University and local partners to make sure students are heard where it matters.
Ensure student voice is central to tackling the climate crisis on and off campus.
From shaping sustainable policy to supporting green campaigns, you’ll help drive action across the Guild, University and local community.
Represent international students and make sure their voices shape life at Exeter.
You’ll work to improve support, build community and tackle the unique challenges international students face – on campus and beyond.
Champion inclusion and ensure all student communities feel seen, heard and supported.
You’ll work across the Guild and University to challenge inequality, celebrate diversity and help build a more inclusive student experience.
Bring your lived experience to drive inclusion and equity.
You’ll use your experiences to research, represent and share insights from underrepresented communities to drive the University to create change.

Step up and Lead
If you’re not ready to apply, you can still register your interest or come along to one of our information sessions for 1-1 support.
Step up and Lead
Add these to your calendar so you don't miss out!
Step up and Lead
As a member of our student leadership team, you're never alone – and that starts from day one.
We've got a whole range of resources to help you ace your application. We’re committed to making sure the election is fun,free and fair–don't forget to check out the rules!
Any current University of Exeter student based on Streatham or St Luke’s campus can apply for the elected positions. If registering your interest in the other roles, you must be a student within that discipline. For example, if expressing an interest in becoming a PGR Officer, you must be a PGR student
You can only apply for one elected Officer position at one time – either the Education and Employability Officer or the Student Life and Communities Officer. You may express your interest in multiple non-elected roles.
All current international students with a Study Visa, studying a course at Streatham or St Luke’s campuses, can apply. If you are unsure about your eligibility, you can email elections@exeterguild.com.
Simple, apply for a role, tell us why you’re a good fit and get students to vote for you. Applications open on 8 December and close on 19 January.
To apply you’ll need to:
A candidate statement is your chance to introduce yourself and tell students why you’re standing in the election. It’s your opportunity to share a bit about who you are, what matters to you, and why students should vote for you. We’d suggest you include:
Your statement will be published on the Guild website and included in the online voting platform – it’s one of the first things students will see when deciding who to vote for. So, make it count!
Once you’ve completed the application form, we’ll invite you to have a quick chat with the Elections Team and attend a compulsory candidate briefing where we’ll go over the rules of the Election and get you all set for campaigning with top tips on marketing yourself, designing posters and writing your statement.
We’ll send you the information you need by email. Make sure you check your spam / junk folder if you can’t find it straight away.
Read the content carefully and book a meeting with the Elections Team.
Come along with any questions or ideas you might have.
Once you’ve:
You’ll be good to go as a candidate in the elections.
If you’re successful in the Election, you’ll be committing to a full-time job in Exeter from xx to xx. You’ll either undertake this as your first job after you graduate or take a year out of your studies.
Under the Education Act 1994, all students' unions (including us!) are legally required to run elections. It’s how we make sure everything we do is fair, democratic and led by students.
The Full-Time Officers you elect also become Trustees of the Guild, which comes with important legal responsibilities and real influence over how things are run.
You’ll take part in a job-style interview with a panel of your peers – giving you a chance to showcase your ideas, build confidence, and gain real-world experience in a professional setting. It’s a great way to boost your skills, whether you get the role or not.