Application for Student Union Status

The deadline for student associations to apply for student union status at the Swedish Defence University for the period 2026–2028 is 15 April 2025. Applications must be submitted to fus@fhs.se.

The Military and Defence University Cadet Corps and the Swedish Defence University Student Union currently hold student union status at the Swedish Defence University until 31 December 2025. Since this decision is time-limited, a new application period is opening for student union status for the period 1 January 2026 – 31 December 2028.

The primary role of a student union is to monitor and contribute to the development of education and study conditions at the Swedish Defence University, including appointing student representatives. In other words, student unions represent students in discussions with the Swedish Defence University and work to ensure the best possible study experience. A student union may enter into cooperation agreements with the Swedish Defence University regarding financial support, among other matters.

A student association is defined as an organisation with student members that is connected to a field of study at the Swedish Defence University, has adopted statutes, and has appointed a board in accordance with these statutes.

Application Announcement

The application period opens on 28 February and runs until 15 April. Applications submitted after the deadline will not be considered.

Application Requirements

An application for student union status at the Swedish Defence University must include the following:

The name of the association.
The primary purpose of the association.
A description of the association’s organisational structure.
The association’s statutes and the date on which they were adopted by its members.
The field(s) of study covered by the application.
A description of the association’s ability to maintain a register of its members.
The number of student members at the time of application, broken down by field(s) of study.
Any additional documents the association wishes to submit as supporting evidence.
A list of all documents included in the application.

The application must be submitted in writing and signed by both the chairperson and vice-chairperson of the student association.

Decision Process

The Swedish Defence University Board decides on the granting of student union status. Only one association may be granted student union status within the same field of study. If multiple student associations from the same field apply, priority will be given to the association with the highest number of members in that field.

To be granted student union status at the Swedish Defence University, a student association must meet the following conditions:

The association’s primary purpose must be to monitor and contribute to the development of education and study conditions at the Swedish Defence University.
The association’s field of activity must not extend beyond the Swedish Defence University and must correspond to at least one organisational or geographically defined part of the university.
The association must be democratically structured and able to represent students within its field.
All students within the field must have the right to become members, provided they meet the membership requirements set by the association.
All members must have voting rights in elections for the association’s highest decision-making body.
The association must maintain a register of its members.
The association must have statutes and a board, with the statutes having been adopted by its members. The statutes must include:
- The association’s purpose and field of activity.
- The highest decision-making body and how it is appointed (all student
members must have voting rights in elections for this body).
- How decisions of the highest decision-making body and the board are
made and communicated.
- Procedures for membership admission and resignation.
- How the board is granted discharge from liability.
- Procedures for dissolving the association and amending the statutes.

For more information about the application process, please contact fus@fhs.se.

Regulations and Decision on Deadlines

The Swedish Higher Education Act (Högskolelagen, 1992:1434) and the Student Union Ordinance (Studentkårsförordningen, 2009:769) regulate the application and approval process for student unions. The regulations for granting student union status at the Swedish Defence University Pdf, 241.1 kB. include both a thematically organised compilation of applicable legal provisions from the Higher Education Act and the Student Union Ordinance, as well as decisions on specific conditions at the Swedish Defence University.

The decision regarding the application process for student union status for 2026–2028 Pdf, 449.3 kB. sets the deadlines for applications and the designated email address for submission.

Regulations on student influence Pdf, 361.5 kB. govern and provide guidance on how student participation should be managed at the Swedish Defence University.