Running for a role in a UK university society isn’t just about putting up a poster and hoping for the best. It’s about connecting with people, listening to their concerns, and showing you actually understand what they need. Thousands of students run for positions every year - president, treasurer, welfare officer, events lead - but only a few win. Why? Because most forget one thing: elections are about trust, not popularity.
What You’re Really Running For
When you sign up to be society president, you’re not just signing a form. You’re taking on real responsibility. You’re the person who’ll manage the budget, coordinate events, talk to university staff, and handle complaints. Students don’t vote for flashy slogans. They vote for someone they believe will show up, follow through, and actually fix problems.
Think about it: if your society’s last president canceled three events because they were "too busy," and no one knew how to fix it, would you vote for someone who says "I’ll make things better"? Or would you vote for someone who says, "I’ll set up a weekly planning meeting, hire a student assistant, and share a public budget tracker"?
The difference isn’t in the words. It’s in the details.
Writing a Manifesto That Doesn’t Sound Like Spam
Most student manifestos read like LinkedIn bios: "Passionate leader! Visionary thinker! Proven track record!" They’re full of buzzwords and empty promises. No one reads them. Or if they do, they roll their eyes.
A good manifesto doesn’t try to impress. It tries to inform. Start with the problems students actually face:
- "Last term, 68% of members said they didn’t know how to claim society funds. I’ll create a simple 3-step guide and hold monthly Q&A sessions."
- "Our society’s Instagram has 200 followers. We had 3 events last term. I’ll run a social media takeover with members and post weekly updates."
- "The last treasurer left without handing over the bank login. I’ll set up a shared Google Sheet with real-time spending updates and require two signatures for any payment."
Use numbers. Use real examples. Name the problem. Then name your fix. No fluff. No vague promises. If you’re running for welfare officer, don’t say "I care about mental health." Say: "I’ll partner with the university’s counselling service to host bi-weekly drop-in chats in the society room, and train 5 volunteers to recognize signs of distress."
Hustings: Where You Either Win or Lose
Hustings are the make-or-break moment. This is where you stand in front of 50-150 students, answer questions live, and prove you’re not just a poster with a smile.
Most candidates prepare a speech. That’s a mistake. You don’t need a speech. You need a strategy.
Here’s what actually works:
- Arrive early. Talk to people before it starts. Ask what they’re worried about. Write it down.
- Don’t rehearse answers. If you memorize responses, you’ll sound robotic. Instead, prepare 3 core messages and practice explaining them in three different ways.
- Own the silence. If someone asks a hard question and you don’t know the answer, say: "That’s a great point. I haven’t looked into that yet, but I’ll find out by tomorrow and post the answer on our group." Then do it.
- Call out the competition - politely. If another candidate says "We’ll fix the funding issue," and you know they’re the one who caused it last year, say: "I appreciate the intent. Last year, we lost £1,200 because the system wasn’t documented. I’ve already drafted a new process - here’s a draft I’ll share after this."
The goal isn’t to sound perfect. It’s to sound real.
Campaign Tips That Actually Work
Here’s what most candidates waste time on:
- Handing out candy
- Buying branded pens
- Posting memes
Here’s what actually gets votes:
- One-on-one chats. Don’t wait for people to come to you. Go to them. Talk to the people who run the society’s Instagram. Ask the event volunteers. Ask the quiet ones who never speak up. Ask them: "What’s one thing you wish we changed?" Write it down. Follow up.
- A public tracker. Create a simple Google Doc or Notion page. List your promises. Update it weekly. "Progress: 1/3" is better than "I’ll do it."
- Transparency on money. Post a screenshot of your proposed budget. Show exactly how much you’ll spend on events, admin, training, etc. People trust numbers more than promises.
- Delegate early. Don’t try to do everything. Recruit 3-5 volunteers who care. Give them real roles: "You’re in charge of social media. I’ll give you 3 ideas a week. You decide how to do it."
Don’t underestimate the power of showing up. If you’re at every meeting, reply to every message, and show up to the library at 9pm to help someone print their CV - that’s how you win.
What to Avoid
Here are the three biggest mistakes I’ve seen:
- Overpromising. Saying "I’ll make every event free" sounds great - until you realize the society’s budget is £800 and last year’s events cost £1,200. Be honest about limits.
- Ignoring the system. You can’t just "change the rules." You have to work within university policies, finance procedures, and student union bylaws. Learn them. Ask the current officers. Don’t guess.
- Being reactive. If someone posts a complaint online, don’t reply with a rant. Write a calm, clear response. Post it publicly. Then fix the problem. That builds credibility faster than any campaign poster.
What Happens After You Win
Winning is just the start. The real test begins the day after the vote.
Most new officers think their job is to throw parties. It’s not. Their job is to build systems. That means:
- Documenting every process - who does what, how to access funds, how to book rooms.
- Training your team. Don’t assume they know how to use the bank account or the booking system.
- Sharing progress. Send a short update every two weeks. Even if it’s just: "We’ve hired a new events coordinator. Budget for term 2 is approved. Next meeting: March 12."
The best leaders aren’t the loudest. They’re the ones who show up, keep their word, and make it easy for others to help.
Final Thought
Student societies are run by students - not by professors, not by administrators. They’re the one place on campus where you can actually make change happen. No red tape. No bureaucracy. Just you, a group of people who care, and the power to make things better.
If you’re thinking about running - do it. Not because you want a title. But because you’ve seen something broken, and you know how to fix it.
What’s the difference between a manifesto and a campaign poster?
A campaign poster is a quick visual - usually one slogan, a photo, and your name. It’s meant to catch attention. A manifesto is a written plan - it explains what you’ll do, how you’ll do it, and why it matters. People vote based on the manifesto, not the poster. The poster gets them to read the manifesto.
Do I need to be popular to win an election?
No. You need to be trustworthy. Someone who’s quiet but always responds to messages, shows up on time, and follows through on small promises will beat someone who’s loud but flaky. Students notice consistency more than charisma.
How do I handle negative feedback during my campaign?
Don’t delete it. Don’t argue. Acknowledge it publicly: "Thanks for pointing that out. That’s something I hadn’t considered, and I’ll look into it." Then act on it. Publicly. People respect honesty more than perfection.
Can I run for more than one role?
Most student unions allow it, but it’s risky. Running for president and treasurer at the same time means you’re asking people to trust you with both leadership and money - a heavy load. Only do it if you have clear experience in both areas. Otherwise, focus on one role and do it well.
What if I lose? Is it worth it?
Yes. Running teaches you more than winning does. You learn how to communicate, manage feedback, organize a team, and navigate bureaucracy. These are skills employers value. Many students who lose their first election run again - and win - because they already know how the system works.