We are pleased to announce the launch of our Student Leadership Award, which will build on the success of the STARS programme that it will replace from the 2014/2015 academic year.

Developed in conjunction with the University Careers and Employability Service, the award aims to tighten the focus on improving the employability of students who involve themselves with voluntary leadership opportunities in the Students’ Union – by representing students as a course rep or campaigner, volunteering in the community, or by leading a student club or society.

As well as recognising the contribution that our student leaders make to improving student life, the Student Leadership Award will also encourage its participants to think reflectively about how their activity has helped them to develop some of the key skills and competencies that graduate employers tend to look for when recruiting, meaning that students will be able to draw on a wide range of examples of these on completion of the award.

Students’ Union President, Josh Elderfield, said: “The Student Leadership Award is there to help students develop and exercise skills which they won’t perhaps gain from the classroom experience.

“For me personally, my route into the Students’ Union was first through student activities as an Activity Group Leader, I then became a Union Council member.

“So I have first-hand experience of just how the Students’ Union can impact on your life, and lead you down different pathways which you didn’t perhaps think you’d go down.

“I’m looking forward to seeing Student Leaders rewarded for the extra-curricular work they do and the positive impact they have on fellow students while also making their life at University better.”

To take part in the Student Leadership Award, you need to be involved in one of the following areas of the Students’ Union's work:

Representing students and making their voice heard

Volunteering in the community

Leading a student club or society

To apply you will then need to complete a portfolio over the course of the academic year, for submission at the end of Term Two.

Full details of the award, including criteria and portfolio can be found here.