Salary: £24,000 per annum
Contract: Full-time, fixed-term (1 year)
Start Date: 1 July 2026
About the Role
The Campus President is the lead elected representative for students at Canterbury, Epsom or Farnham. This is a full-time, paid sabbatical leadership position at the heart of both the Students’ Union and the University.
As a Campus President, you will:
- Represent students at your campus in high-level University decision-making
- Serve as a Trustee of the Students' Union charity
- Attend and contribute to key University committees
- Lead on student priorities and campaigns
- Ensure student voice influences decisions before before they are made
You will work closely with fellow Campus Presidents and Union staff as part of a single officer team, while maintaining a clear focus on the specific needs of your campus community.
This role offers a unique opportunity to gain senior-level governance experience, develop professional skills, and deliver meaningful change for students.
Key Responsibilities
1. Student Representation
- Act as the primary representative of students at your campus.
- Gather, understand and escalate student feedback.
- Advocate for students in meetings with University staff and senior management.
- Champion inclusive and student-centred decision-making.
- Maintain visible and accessible leadership on campus.
2. University Committees & Formal Representation
Campus Presidents are expected to:
- Attend relevant University committees allocated to their campus.
- Attend cross-university committees where student representation is required.
- Prepare in advance by reading papers and consulting students.
- Contribute constructively and professionally in meetings.
- Provide clear feedback to students and the Students’ Union.
Committees may include academic governance committees, campus boards, student experience groups, EDI committees, health and wellbeing groups, and validation panels.
Committee commitments form a significant and regular component of the working week.
3. Governance & Trustee Responsibilities
- Serve as a Trustee of the Students’ Union charity.
- Contribute to strategic decision-making at Board level.
- Ensure financial sustainability and compliance with charity law.
- Act in the best interests of the charity at all times.
Where applicable, the Campus President may also serve as a student member of the University Board of Governors.
4. Campus Leadership & Change
- Identify key issues affecting students.
- Develop and deliver priorities during your term of office.
- Support course representatives and student initiatives.
- Work with Union staff to implement campaigns and improvements.
- Report back to students on progress and impact.
5. Collaboration & Communication
- Work collaboratively with fellow Campus Presidents.
- Build relationships with senior University staff.
- Maintain effective communication channels.
- Represent UCASU locally and nationally where appropriate.
What You'll Gain
- Experience of charity governance and trustee responsibility.
- Exposure to senior-level University decision-making.
- Development of transferable leadership skills.
- Opportunity to lead impactful projects and campaigns.
What We Offer
- £24,000 annual salary.
- 25 days annual leave (excluding bank holidays and University closure days).
- Structured induction and ongoing training.
- Professional development support.
What We're Looking For
- Confidence engaging with students and senior staff.
- Willingness to read and interpret detailed committee papers.
- Strong time management skills.
- Professional conduct in governance settings.
- Commitment to representing all students fairly.
Eligibility
To stand for and undertake the role of Campus President, candidates must:
- Be a registered student of the University for the Creative Arts at the campus for which they are standing (Canterbury, Epsom, or Farnham) at the point of nomination.
- Either have completed their studies at UCA or be willing and eligible to take a formal study break for the duration of the one-year sabbatical term.
- Not be subject to any ongoing disciplinary, fitness to practise, academic progression, or misconduct procedures that could reasonably jeopardise their student status at the point of election or during their term of office.
- Be eligible to serve as a charity trustee under UK law.
Under charity law, you are not eligible to serve as a trustee if you:
- Have an unspent conviction for an offence involving dishonesty or deception.
- Are an undischarged bankrupt or subject to a bankruptcy restrictions order or debt relief restrictions order.
- Are otherwise disqualified from acting as a charity trustee under the Charities Act 2011.
All successful candidates will be required to confirm their eligibility prior to formally taking up the role.
A Real Leadership Opportunity
Campus Presidents are active participants in University governance and play a meaningful role in shaping policy, academic development and student experience.