About Solent Elections

Representation and democracy run through the heart of what we do as a Students’ Union. Our elections provide students with a unique opportunity to represent their peers at Southampton Solent University, Solent Students' Union, and the wider community, bringing about the changes you'd like to see.

Standing in a student election and becoming a students' union officer can significantly boost your career, your CV and your leadership experience for when you leave university.

We have students across campus ensuring that all the big decisions made at Southampton Solent University are in the best interests of the student body, and one of them could be YOU!

Each year, Students' Unions across the UK run an election period, followed by by-elections later in the year, to fill a number of full-time and paid Sabbatical Officer roles, as well as many Volunteer Officer roles.

If elected, you can be in post for a minimum of one year and a maximum of two years.

Why do we run elections?

The Students’ Union exists to make sure that students have a voice and can influence decision-making at the university. By joining together and having your voices heard, we can build the student experience that you want, and elections are where you can do this

As with any election, voting for student representatives is incredibly important. Voting ensures that the candidate who is most aligned with your goals and values has a higher chance of being elected, and also that our best possible student representatives get elected.

This is crucial for any student studying at the university, as the elected candidates are the student voice, bringing up issues that affect us and remedying them, as well as facilitating a better and more accepting learning environment for us all. Their impact on the university knows no bounds, and entirely depends on the motivation and enthusiasm of the elected representatives- pretty much, it’s up to you, the student, to make your university life the best it can be by choosing the right representative.

Key dates For Solent By-Elections 2025

• Applications open: Monday 15th September at 10am

• Applications close: Monday 13th October at 10am 

• Candidate briefing: Monday 13th October at 1pm

• Manifesto and artwork deadline: Wednesday 15th October at 12pm

• Artwork printing to be collected: Monday 20th October between 10am and 4pm

• Voting opens: Monday 27th October at 10am

• Voting closes: Friday 31st October at 12pm

• Results night: Friday 31st October at 4pm

• Results posted online: within 2 working days