Student wings of political parties in Scotland

Student wings of political parties in Scotland are University affiliated organisations of Scottish political parties, and therefore often mirror the policy direction of the larger party.

Student organisations

Scottish National Party

SNP Students are, with 5,100 members and 10 University organisations, the largest grouping in Scottish Universities. They campaign in favour of civic nationalism and Scottish Independence. Affiliated Nationalist Associations in Scottish Universities comprise of:

• Glasgow University Scottish Nationalist Association
• SNP Strathclyde University
• Dundee University Scottish Nationalist Association
• Glasgow Caledonian University Scottish Nationalist Association
• Edinburgh University SNP
• Stirling University Scottish Nationalist Association
• Aberdeen University Scottish Nationalist Association
• University of the West of Scotland Scottish Nationalist Association
• University of the Highlands and Islands SNP Students Society
• St Andrews University Students For Independence

Scottish Labour

Scottish Labour Students are a close second student organisation in Scotland with 9 University organisations. They are generally regarded as to the left of the SNP and are democratic socialist in policy. SLS is made up of affiliated Labour Clubs at universities across Scotland:

• Glasgow University Labour Club
• Edinburgh University Labour Students
  (Also includes members of Edinburgh Napier University, Heriot-Watt University, and Queen Margaret University)
  
• Strathclyde University Labour Club
• Stirling University Labour Society
• St Andrews University Labour Society
• Dundee University Labour Students
• Aberdeen Uni Labour Students
• University of the West of Scotland Labour Students
• University of the Highlands and Islands Labour Students

Scottish Conservatives

Scottish Young Conservatives are the joint youth and student wing of the Scottish Conservatives (colloquially known as the Tories). They advocate British conservatism and are the main right-wing student body in Scotland. Affiliates comprise of:

• Glasgow University Conservative Association
• Edinburgh University Conservative & Unionists Association
• St Andrews University Conservative Association
• University of Aberdeen Conservative and Unionist Association
• University of Stirling Conservative Society

Scottish Greens

Scottish Young Greens are an eco-socialist organisation also advocating Scottish Independence and Republicanism. Affiliate groups consist of:

• Strathclyde University Greens
• Edinburgh University Young Greens
• University of the West of Scotland Greens
• University of Glasgow Greens

Scottish Liberals

Scottish Young Liberals are the youth and student body of the Scottish Liberal Democrats and are the smallest party with national representation. They consist of:

• University of Glasgow Liberal Democrats
• University of St Andrews Liberal Democrats

Other parties

• Scottish Socialist Youth are the ex-affiliate organisation of the Scottish Socialist Party. Despite deassociation from the party the retain the core principles of democratic socialism and Scottish Independence and have a Stirling University branch.
• Scottish Socialist Party have a society at Glasgow University
• Young Communist League societies in Strathclyde University and Glasgow University.
• The Alba Party has no student branches.
• Aberdeen University lists itself as having a Scottish Green Society, however this organisation is inactive and not recognised by Scottish Young Greens