How it works the union

Uppsala Student Union Sweden’s oldest student union. We are a member-driven organization dedicated to ensuring that your education is of high quality and that the student voice is heard. We do this by appointing student representatives to all decision-making bodies where student interests are at stake, and by advocating with the university and policymakers on important student issues. the union students at Uppsala University on educational and workplace issues.

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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 of Directors

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. 

Presidium

The Student Union Board is led by an executive committee consisting of a chair and one or two vice chairs. The president represents the union the university and externally. The vice presidents are primarily responsible for monitoring academic affairs and educational issues. The executive committee is appointed by the student council and receives full-time compensation; the members of the executive committee are selected through negotiations between the political parties.

Office

Uppsala Student Union an office with seven employees who work on a wide variety of tasks but share a common goal: to promote the interests of students. The office handles day-to-day operations under the leadership of the Executive Board and the Office Manager. The office handles everything from communication to coordination and administration of student representatives, among other tasks. Under the “Office” tab in the “About Us” section, you can see who works at the office.

Political leadership and distribution of seats

During the 2026–2027 term, Uppsala Student Union is led Uppsala Student Union a coalition consisting of S-studenter, Vänsterstudenter, and Uppsala University Students. Together, the three parties hold 26 of the 32 seats on the Student Union Council. In Uppsala Student Union , the seats on the council Uppsala Student Union among four parties since the election: Left-wing Students, S-students, Green Students, and Uppsala University Students. The chair of Uppsala Student Union Joseph Ejnelind from S-students, and the vice chair of Uppsala Student Union Jonathan Arwehed from Uppsala University Students.

Who runs the union?

Uppsala University Students (UUS), 11,
, Left-wing Students (V), 9,
, Social Democratic Students (S), 7,
, Green Students, 6

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.

How is the union funded?

the union primarily the union through grants from the government. These grants are intended to the union promote student influence and appoint student representatives to all of Uppsala University’s preparatory and decision-making bodies. the union also the union supplementary grants from Uppsala University. In addition, rental income from Norreda and small-scale sales at the reception desk contribute to the union’s finances.

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.