NUS Reps - numbers and guidance

Each member Students’ Union receives a set number of NUS Reps who participate in NUS’ democracy by:

• Participating in NUS campaign actions, regional campaign days and activities throughout the year.
• Submitting SU priorities, ensuring students have their voice heard and attend NUS democratic events.
• Voting in NUS elections

Each member can appoint an allocated number of NUS Reps to participate in their nation’s democratic spaces and NUS elections. The numbers of NUS Reps are linked to student numbers. NUS Rep numbers are being finalised and will be confirmed in due course.

We have published guidance for members on how to select NUS reps and a template role profile. Download the guidance here.

In years when there is an NUS Full Time Officer Election (next scheduled for the 2027/28 academic year), NUS Reps will vote for the NUS President in their nation. Reps from English SUs can also vote for Vice President FE or HE.

For NUS Liberation, campaigning priorities are set by the Liberation Collective. Each SU still has a set number of Liberation Reps for the purpose of electing the Vice President Liberation and Equality. Each union has a set number of five Liberation Reps with one rep for each of NUS’ five Liberation groups:

• Disabled
• LGBT+
• Trans
• Racialised
• Women

We have also published guidance on selecting Liberation Reps. Download the guidance here.

Information on rep numbers

Published rep numbers take into account feedback received on proposed numbers and incorporate the most up-to-date student numbers.

Rep numbers are reduced and in some nations capped. The feedback we are receiving from students’ unions is that you want to have less of a burden of participation and therefore want smaller rep entitlements. The democratic reforms we passed in 2024 created the role of rep, to reflect the role as one that represents each SU at a national level over the year, rather than at a single conference. This includes being involved in national opportunities such as campaign activities, events and workshops to develop ideas and policy.

Officer Elections

The next round of officer elections will take place in the 2027/28 academic year. The elected officer roles representing England will include an England President to align with the other nations, plus a Vice President Higher Education and Vice President Further Education to represent the two constituencies within our membership. The Vice President Liberation and Equality role is a UK role to reflect the scope of the Liberation Collective.  UK representation should continue through the Officer Executive comprising 7 officers from four nations; with each nation electing a President. 

Reps will still be the people who elect officers. Reps in each nation will elect officers as above, with the VP Liberation being elected by reps from all four nations.

Read all about the elections including dates and details at https://www.nus.org.uk/elections

If you have any questions about eligibility please email [email protected] 

Democratic Events 2025

NUS’ democratic events for the 2026/26 academic year took place in November 2025.

We’ll be publishing dates for next year’s democratic events in due course. Get in touch with [email protected] with any queries!

Submitting priorities

We’ll be updating this webpage with information on submitting priorities for our next democratic events in due course.