Becoming a Sabbatical Officer gives you a unique insight into how both the Students' Union and the University of Plymouth are run, whilst also providing you with a host of transferable skills to take forward into your professional career after graduating.
As an Officer you will be involved in the highest level of decision making on campus; from monthly meetings with the Vice-Chancellor to sitting on a range of Committees that have oversight over Students' Union finances, staffing and key strategic decisions.
This year the roles have changed to enhance the voice of students, and you'll see that each Faculty will have its own President as well as a Students' Union President who will support students from each Faculty. Find out more about the changes here.
If you want to make a difference, develop new skills, and be a part of a passionate team then apply for a role as a Sabbatical Officer 2025/26.
Any registered University of Plymouth student can apply for a 2025/26 President role: it could be you.
What do the Presidents do?
- Strengthen the student voice
- Listen to the views of students
- Present student feedback
- Drive communication
- Shape positive change
- Represent students at meetings
- Act as a spokesperson and ambassador
- Work in partnership with students
- Contribute to the running of a charity
Alumni student Verity Lemm, who went on to work in the Health Care sector after graduating, shares her experience of being in post from 2019 - 2021 and how it allowed her to gain confidence and a host of professional skills she has been able to take forward into her chosen career.
Q. What skills did you learn during your time in post?
I would definitely not be where I am today if I hadn’t have been a Sabbatical Officer.
The skills I learned from my time in the post were beyond any I could imagine.
The unique opportunity to represent thousands of students in the Faculty of Health, helping them campaign for change and raise issues on their behalf to better their learning and their experience, which in turn would empower our future healthcare workers, really inspired and pushed me in the direction of healthcare.
Being a Sabbatical Officer really prepared me for the big wide world, I have gained confidence in my own ability when it comes to planning, organising and leading, which have been a great help to me so far.
Being a University Governor and a Trustee of the SU are unique skills that not everyone is lucky enough to have.
Q. What advice would you give someone who is thinking of applying?
My advice to anyone is just to jump in head first! Get involved!
If you have loved being part of the SU or if you feel like you can lead and create change then you are already perfect for the job.
Just be bold, be passionate, and fight for the positive change you believe in.
Find out more about how you can apply for a role as a Sabbatical Officer 2025/26 here, inlcuding key dates, F&Qs, and job descriptions.
The roles:
- President Students' Union
- President Faculty of Health
- President Faculty of Arts, Humanities and Business
- President Faculty of Science and Engineering
Get in touch:
Your Student Voice team are on hand to talk you through the Elections process if you have any questions or just want to know more about how you can make your voice heard at the University of Plymouth.