We are Strath Union, your Students’ Union - the beating heart of activity for students on Strathclyde campus since 1964.
About Us
We run events year-round where you can let loose, let go, just throw a couple shapes and put your skills on show.
Events
We provide free and confidential advice for students, covering academic support, wellbeing and more.
Advice
University is all about finding friends, finding community, and finding yourself.
Societies
Sports Union
We exist to represent all students at the University of Strathclyde. We make sure your voice is heard across the University and beyond.
Voice
Enhance your CV, develop skills, find a part-time job and get more involved with your local community.
Opportunities
The Union is a great place to meet friends, study, grab lunch or take a break. Have a look and discover our variety of venues.
Food & Drink
Bag the latest Strath branded merch, get the latest student deals and explore memberships available at the Union!
Shop
The next Scottish Parliament election will take place on May 7th 2026. You must apply by midnight on April 20th to vote.
The Scottish Parliamentary Elections Civic Campaign is focused on ensuring Strathclyde students know how to register to vote, how to vote, and how to vote in an informed manner.
Students have the power to make a significant impact on politics in Scotland. Have your voice heard by voting in the Scottish Parliament elections on May 7th!
Check out the events the Union, socieities and students are running during the campaign.
Register to vote
Additional Member System
Candidate and party lists
The Scottish Parliament is the national parliament of Scotland. Elections to the Scottish Parliament usually happen every 5 years.
Members of the Scottish Parliament (MSPs) are elected in a Scottish Parliament election. At the 2026 election, 129 MSPs will be elected to represent 73 constituencies. You are represented by eight of them. One MSP is for your constituency, and the other seven are for your region.
The party (or group of parties) with the most support forms the Scottish Government, and the leader of the government becomes the First Minister of Scotland.
Members of the Scottish Parliament (MSPs), who will be elected on May 7th, scrutinise how billions of pounds are spent on issues that affect you. Decisions made in the Scottish Parliament affect your money, your studies and your future.
The Scottish Parliament has wide-ranging powers to make laws and decisions on important areas of life in Scotland, including:
The National Union of Students (NUS) Scotland has more information available on the election.
You only need to register to vote once, not for every election. You’ll be asked for your National Insurance number when you register ‐ but you can still register without one.
Your local Electoral Registration Office will contact you to confirm that you've been registered to vote.
Yes, international students who are residents in Scotland are able to vote in Scottish Parliament elections as long as they are registered to vote.
If you are an international student studying in Scotland, make sure you register to vote by the deadline of midnight on April 20th.
If you're unable to vote in person, either because you are away on polling day (May 7th) you can ask someone to vote on your behalf. This is called a proxy vote and you need to apply by 5pm on April 28th. You can also apply to vote by post. This is called a postal vote and you need to apply by 5pm on April 21st.
You need to be aged 16 or over on polling day to be able to vote in a Scottish Parliament election.
So, if you were born on or before 7th May 2010, you're eligible to vote in the Scottish Parliament election.
Students are allowed to register to vote at more than one address (e.g. a term time address and a home address).
Though you can register at more than one address, you can only vote once.
You'll get a poll card in the post before the election. This will tell you where to vote.
If you haven't received your polling card following the register to vote deadline (midnight on April 20th), contact your local council.
Polling station info
Once you've registered to vote, you're ready. You do not need to show photo ID in order to vote in the Scottish Parliament election.
Scottish Parliament elections use the Additional Member System. At these elections, you have two votes.
With the first vote, you choose between candidates standing for election in your constituency by putting a cross [X] next to your choice.
Then, you cast a second vote to choose a political party or independent candidate to represent your region. You put a cross [X] in the box next to your choice of political party or independent candidate.
Please note these are example ballots and may look different from actual ballots provided at polling stations.
Check out the latest updates from the Scottish Parliament Elections from the Union, socieities and students during the campaign.
Weekly roundups from Strathclyde Telegraph