Positions
Three Student MPs
One Postgraduate Taught MP
Three NUS UK Conference delegates
Three NUS Scotland Conference delegates
These are all voluntary positions
Student MPs
Student MPs work with Student Parliament to talk about problems facing students and what we can do about them. As a Student MP, you’ll also take on responsibility for fixing these issues in a variety of ways, like hosting an online event, contacting groups of students, thinking outside the box, and supporting the Full-Time Officers. Another ESSENTIAL part of the role is making sure the Full-Time Officers are doing their jobs properly! You can ask them questions, offer your input, and vote on whether they’re doing enough.
Postgraduate Taught MP
The Postgraduate Taught MP will work with Postgraduate Taught Reps to find out the issues affecting PGT students, think about what we can do, and bring ideas to Parliament. This is a NEW role because we’ve realised our Postgraduate Taught community faces so many issues and we need to do more to help fix them.
NUS delegates for UK and Scotland Conferences
These conferences give students from across the country the chance to steer the work of NUS representing over 7 million students across the United Kingdom, making changes which improve the lives of students nationwide. Being an NUS Delegate is an amazing opportunity to shape these changes, represent Heriot-Watt Union on the national stage and meet students from across the country. Attending the conference is free, and accommodation and travel are covered by us - although it's likely to be online this year!
Why?
There are loads of different reasons you might want to apply for these roles. We know that now, more than ever, you are on the lookout for ways to expand your skills and stand out to future employers. This is a brilliant opportunity to develop skills like communication, influencing, negotiating, planning, teamwork, problem-solving, leadership, perseverance, working under pressure, organisation (the list goes on…) while making a difference for your peers on issues that matter to you.
These positions are elected because: DEMOCRACY! What students think is really important to us at the Union. Your peers get to choose who is right for the role, and you get the INCREDIBLE experience of running in an election.
Who?
Any matriculated HWU student, who is continuing their studies across the 2020-21 academic year, can apply to stand for the Student MP and NUS delegate roles. Only Postgraduate Taught students can apply for the Postgraduate Taught MP position.
How?
Just put an application in with a supporting statement, saying why you think you’re the right person for the role and what your focus would be. Students will have four days to vote for who they want in the roles! You just need to encourage students to vote online and convince them you’re the right person for the job! Running in an election will develop your communication and persuasion skills, and you might be surprised about what you learn along the way.
Where?
Pop over to our website to see fuller role descriptions and submit your application from the 4th of September!
When?
Applications open - 4th of September
Applications close - 23rd of September
Supporting Statement and Photo deadline - 24th of September
Voting Opens - 28th of September
Voting Closes - 1st of October
Results - 2nd of October
Questions?
If you have questions about the roles you can check out our website or get in touch with our elections team: union.elections@hw.ac.uk