Working as a Sabbatical Officer

Yes, as a sabbatical officer you will be allowed to work full-time. 

If you are elected, you can work as a Sabbatical Officer even if you have not completed your programme of study.  During your elected period you must take a break from your studies known as a leave of absence to allow you to work full-time as a sabbatical officer.  Once you have reached the end of your term as a sabbatical officer you can then resume your studies. 

Yes, if you want to become a Sabbatical Officer after your studies, you must do this in the academic year after you complete your course.  For example, if you are an Undergraduate student and your studies are due to be complete in June 2025 then you must take up a sabbatical officer position the academic year you complete your studies.

As a Student Union Sabbatical Officer you are expected to take leave from your studies for the purpose of undertaking a full-time, salaried, elected, executive union position. You therefore are not permitted to study and work full-time.  

If you want to continue with your studies whilst you hold a Sabbatical Officer position, you should speak to the Guild before you apply to become a Sabbatical Officer to discuss the expectation of the role.  

The Student visa only allows you to undertake ‘supplementary study’ such as evening classes or short courses which does not contribute towards your main course of study for which you were granted a Student visa.

If you have enough time on your current Student visa to cover the length of your role as a Sabbatical Officer, then you do not need to apply for a Student visa extension.  Once you start your employment as a Sabbatical Officer the University will notify the Home Office of your change in circumstances allowing you to commence employment as a Sabbatical Officer.  

If your current Student visa does not cover the full duration of your elected period as a Sabbatical Officer, then you will need to apply for a new Confirmation of Acceptances for Studies (CAS) and make your visa extension application before the commencement of your employment. You can request a CAS online: Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) for Continuing Students (birmingham.ac.uk).

You can request a CAS online: Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) for Continuing Students (birmingham.ac.uk).  You will need to complete the online form and submit all supporting visa documents for assessment purposes.  For Sabbatical Officers, you will be required to upload a copy of your Sabbatical Officer contract which you receive from the Guild. 

Yes.  During your role as a Sabbatical Officer the Guild will be your employer and will therefore carry out the necessary right to work checks before you commence your employment. 

Yes, when you take up your position as a Sabbatical Officer you will no longer be registered as a full-time student and will therefore become liable to pay council tax. 

If you have successfully completed your course and hold a valid Student visa you should be able to apply for the Graduate Route visa.  For further information on the eligibility criteria of this route please see Graduate Route (birmingham.ac.uk) 

If your Student visa expires before the elections, you will not be able to extend your Student visa for the purpose of campaigning and awaiting the results of the election. This means you will need to leave the UK before the expiry of your Student visa.  

If you are re-elected and your current visa is due to expire, then you will need to request a CAS from the IST to facilitate a student visa extension application. 

Students joining courses after 1 January 2024 can only bring dependants if they are government sponsored, studying a PhD/other doctoral qualifications or research-based higher degree. Dependants already in the UK can continue to extend their visa.