Decisions made in the Scottish Parliament affect your money, your studies, and your future. Members of the Scottish Parliament, who will be elected in the elections on 7th May, scrutinise how billions of pounds are spent on issues that affect you, such as:
- Student funding
- Housing
- Transport
- NHS
- Cost of Living
- Skills and jobs
Students make up 10% of the voting population, but our voice will only be heard if we turn up at elections.
Make sure you have your say on 7th May and register to vote by midnight on 20th April.
Register to vote
FAQs
What is the minimum voting age? Voters need to be aged 16 or over on polling day to vote
Can international students vote? Yes, as long as they are resident in Scotland and registered to vote
Can you register at two addresses? Yes, but you can only vote at one address in this election
Are there photo ID requirements? No
NUS Scotland Student Manifesto
NUS Scotland is calling on all political parties and candidates for the 2026 Scottish Parliament election to commit to a fair deal for our future.
The 2026 Student Manifesto: A fair deal for our future represents the collective voice of students across the nation, calling on all political parties and candidates to commit to a fair future for tertiary education.
This manifesto is based on consultation with thousands of students and student representatives across Scotland, from conversations on campus to polling and policy debates; this is the collective voice of Scotland's students.
You can add your signature to support the manifesto here.