How it works the union
Uppsala Student Union is Sweden's oldest trade union for students. We are a member-driven organization that works to ensure that your education is of high quality and that the student voice is heard. This is done by appointing student representatives in all meeting rooms where students are affected, and by being heard towards universities and politics on important student issues. Currently, the union runs free feminine protection on campus and much more.
Student Council
The Student Union Council is the highest decision-making body of the Student Union and represents the members of Uppsala Student Union. The Student Union Council meets several times a year and takes decisions on the most important issues, such as budget and business plan. It is the student union's equivalent to the municipal council or parliament, and Uppsala Student Union members vote in the student union elections every April, where they decide who will govern the union during the coming fiscal year.
Uppsala Student Union has a party-political council where it is parties and not individuals who stand for election - just like in the Swedish elections. The parties do not have to be affiliated with an established party but can run without any affiliation or connection. All that is required is a party name and people running on the party's list for the union elections.
Board and Presidium
The Uppsala Student Union Board is the second highest decision-making body in the Union and is appointed by the Student Union Council. It is the student union's equivalent of the government and decides on a large part of the student union's day-to-day work. The Board consists of 9 or 11 members, divided between the governing parties, and the allocation of seats is determined by negotiations between the parties. Four of the members are appointed by the four sections of the union to ensure better cooperation throughout the union and to provide greater proximity to the students.
The Board is chaired by a Presidium consisting of a President and one or two Vice-Presidents. The Presidium is appointed by the Student Union Council and is remunerated on a full-time basis, and the persons elected to the Presidium are determined by negotiations between the parties.
Who runs the union?
Political leadership and distribution of seats
During the 2025-2026 term, Uppsala Student Union is governed by a coalition consisting of Green Students, Checklist, Uppsala University Students and Högerstudenter. Together, the four parties have 17 of 33 seats in the Student Union Council. In Uppsala Student Union , the seats in the council are divided between six parties since the election: Left Students, S-Students, Green Students, Uppsala University Students, Checklist and the Right Party. The chairman of Uppsala Student Union is Calle Per Hendor Jonsson from UUS, and the vice chairman of Uppsala Student Union is Maria Sorelius from Green Students.
S-students (S), 6
Green students, 6
Uppsala University students (UUS), 6
Checklist, 3
Right-wing students, 2
Office
Uppsala Student Union has an office with seven employees who work with many different things but who have one thing in common: to promote student benefit. It is the office that manages the daily operations under the leadership of the Presidium and the Head of Office. On the tab "Office" under "About us" you can see who works at the office.
Frequently asked questions
Why is the union politically controlled?
Uppsala Student Union has a party-based union council as it has been the will of the members since the 60s. A party-based system forces those who stand for election to tell what they want to do with the union's resources and what their ideas of a good student union are, instead of it being a popularity contest where the one with the most friends gets voted in. Having parties running instead of individuals makes it easier for students to see the differences between those running for office and why it is important to vote to get the change you want. After all, there are many things a student union can improve and develop and many different ideas about what it should be. A more transparent and less personalized union is a better union for everyone.
Who can stand in the union elections?
All members of Uppsala Student Union who have paid their membership fee by March 1 may stand in the union elections for a union party. It is the union parties themselves that decide who may stand on their list and in what order. Anyone who wants to stand on the list of a party must contact that party and say that they want to be on its list. You can also start a new union party with its own list.
Who has ruled the union historically?
There are many different parties and constellations that have governed Uppsala Student Union over the years. You can read more about them here: https://wiki.sfs.se/wiki/Uppsala_studentk%C3%A5r
What are the most important issues for the union?
The main purpose of Uppsala Student Union is to monitor and participate in the development of education and conditions for studies at Uppsala University. The Student Union shall safeguard, promote and monitor the interests of its represented students. In addition, the union promotes several important issues for students, such as increased study grants and more student housing.