This study employs a bibliometric analysis to comprehensively explore 278 publications in student leadership from 1930 to 2023, mapping the literature in the field and revealing research trends, themes and potential areas of research. This study applied the biblioMagika tool and OpenRefine to clean and harmonise the messy data. The biblioMagika tool, VOSviewer and Biblioshiny software were used for data analysis. The United States is the most significant contributor to the literature in this field. Kristin Janke stands out as the most influential author in the field. Through co-occurrence and thematic analyses, the study revealed changes in keywords such as 'leadership', 'student leadership' and 'leadership development'. The results provide insights into the current landscape of student leadership research, guide future research directions, foster international collaboration and encourage further exploration in this field.