Can I run to be a Sabbatical Officer as an International Student? Yes!

The Leadership Elections are a great opportunity for students to put themselves forward to represent and work on behalf of Cambridge University students. We’ve recently heard some students ask, can international students run to be a full-time Sabbatical Officer, and the answer in short is, yes! We’ve compiled a list of frequently asked questions that come up during the elections period. 

I am an international student on a Student (previously known as Tier 4) visa, can I become a sabbatical officer?

• Yes, we encourage international students to become sabbatical officers. You are eligible to become a sabbatical officer on a Student visa if you take a break from your studies to undertake this position. The University would report this change in circumstances to UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) and you would apply for a visa extension to complete your studies at a later stage. You can also become a sabbatical officer as a new graduate in the academic year immediately following the completion of your studies at the University. In this case, you would need to extend your Student visa to undertake the role. The SU can provide financial and practical support with this. If you have any specific questions relating to your Student visa, you should seek advice from the University’s International Student Office by emailing international.students@admin.cam.ac.uk.

What visa status do sabbatical officers have?

• If you were a student studying on a Student visa, you will be undertaking the sabbatical role under the same visa route. The University of Cambridge will continue to be your visa sponsor. Your employer will be Cambridge Students’ Union. 

Can I study full time and become a sabbatical officer?

• No, the sabbatical officer role is full-time employment. Therefore, you will be required to work for 35 hours a week for the Cambridge Student Union. Your Student visa will allow you to work up to a further 20 hours per week in addition to the 35 hours a week of full-time work. We would advise you to disclose any additional hours of engagement to Cambridge SU prior to undertaking it.

How do I take a break from my studies?

• Taking a break from your studies to become a Sabbatical officer will require you to take non-medical intermission. You should apply for intermission as soon as possible following being elected as a Sabbatical Officer, however, we recommend bringing this to the attention of your Director of Studies or Supervisor as soon as you realise you’d like to stand for election. 

• You can find guidance on this on the university website.

• For Undergraduates - https://www.seniortutors.admin.cam.ac.uk/files/guidance_on_intermission_tutors_sept_2019.pdf 

• For Postgraduates - https://www.cambridgestudents.cam.ac.uk/your-course/postgraduate-study/your-student-status/non-medical-intermission 

I currently have a Student visa, do I need to apply for a new one to start working as a sabbatical officer?

• You can start work as a sabbatical officer on your existing visa if it is valid. If your visa expires before the completion of your term as a sabbatical officer, you will be required to apply for an extension to your visa.

Who will bear the cost of my visa application to work as a sabbatical officer?

• Cambridge SU will cover the application cost of your Student visa extension application (this does not include the NHS surcharge). 

We hope this has been helpful. If you require any additional information or want to talk to someone more about what’s involved with being a Sabbatical Officer, please don’t hesitate to get in contact at elections@cambridgesu.co.uk