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Student life needs student leaders.
Students understand what it is like to study, live and take part in life at UCL today. As a Student Trustee, you will draw on your experience and listen to others to lead and shape the Students' Union's strategic decision-making.
The Union is here to make more happen, and will provide the training and support you need to get started!
Student Trustees at a glance:
| Who you represent | All UCL students |
|---|---|
| Commitment | Approximately 12 hours per term |
| Term of office | 1 November to 31 October (unless no longer a student) |
| Key meetings | Board of Trustees meetings and sub-committees |
| Who can stand: | All current UCL Students who are members of the Union, who are not currently employed by the Union. |
| Training: | Induction with Senior Management (3 hours) |
Could this be you?
You do not need to be an expert in the Students’ Union or have held a leadership role before. Your experience as a student is your starting point.
This role could suit you if you are willing to:
- Listen to students and take different experiences seriously.
- Notice the ideas, opportunities and challenges affecting your community.
- Share students’ priorities with decision-makers.
- Work constructively with other students and staff.
- Follow up and keep students informed.
You are not expected to speak for everyone based only on your own experience. We will help you gather feedback, identify shared priorities and represent a range of student perspectives.
Sound interesting? Nominate yourself today, or read on to learn more!
What the role involves
During a typical term, you will:
- Listen to proposals and business through formal director-level meetings.
- Identify shared ideas, experiences and priorities.
- Represent those priorities at the Board of Trustees Meeting and its sub-committees.
- Explain why students’ experiences matter when decisions are being made.
- Work with other Trustees, including our Sabbatical Officers, to explore possible improvements.
- Contribute to strategic decision-making.
- Report back so students know what was raised, what happened and what comes next.
- Guide the Union's strategic direction while ensuring it stays within legal bounds, serving as one of its legal directors.
The role requires approximately 12 hours per term. Some parts of the year may be busier, particularly around November and May.
Listen, represent, report back
- Listen to different student experiences.
- Identify the priorities students share.
- Represent those priorities where decisions are made.
- Report back on progress and next steps.
Who can stand?
You can stand for this role if you:
- Are a current UCL student who is a member of the Union.
- Are not employed by the Union during your term in Office, as per Charity Commission guidance.
Job sharing is not available for this role. If you are concerned about workload, please contact us at [email protected], and we can help you!
Not sure whether you are eligible? Contact [email protected] before nominations close.
Training and support
You bring valuable knowledge of what it is like to be a current student. We will help you build the skills needed to listen to others and use that insight effectively.
You will receive:
- An introduction to the role and the Students’ Union.
- Training in gathering feedback and representing different perspectives.
- Guidance on identifying shared priorities.
- Support to prepare for and contribute to meetings.
- Guidance on reporting back and signposting students to support.
- Ongoing support from the Governance & Compliance Team, as well as Senior Management Team.
- Opportunities to develop your critical thinking skills, financial skills, business awareness, as well as developing an understanding of the role of governance and being a charity Trustee.
Mandatory training
If you are elected into the role, you will be required to attend mandatory training:
Date: Wednesday 4 November 2026
Time: 16:00
Location: Students’ Union UCL
If you need an adjustment to take part in the training or role, contact [email protected].
Ready to stand?
Your experience of student life is crucial to making change happen.
If you would like to listen to your community, bring students’ priorities into decision-making and help guide the Union's strategic direction, consider standing to be a Student Trustee.
You do not need to have every answer or a complete plan. Tell students why you are interested, what you have noticed and what you would like to understand or improve.
- Nominations close: Monday 12 October 2026
- Questions & accessibility: [email protected]