The Students’ Union is run by students for students – that means we’re completely dedicated to representing students at Staffs and helping provide what they want from their student experience. That covers everything from advice and support, great venues and events to representation, sports clubs, activities and even a dedicated student media service.
We’re constantly striving to ensure the best possible experience for all students at Staffs and free membership of the Students’ Union is automatic on enrolling at Staffordshire University. That means our students get to have their say in what we do and how we do it.
Staffordshire University Students’ Union is a democratic organisation, working entirely for the benefit of students.
The Students' Union sponsors and supports a diverse range of student-run groups. These include both competitive and recreational sports groups, special interest groups, academic societies and some that we are unable to categorise! You can find out contact details and any info the groups have posted by following the links below.
The Student Advice Centre (SAC) offers confidential and impartial advice on a variety of issues, such as: student finance, academic affairs, student housing, debt management etc. In addition, there are a number of online self help materials which you can access from the Advice Guide.Find out more...
Academic Reps can raise issues when something is wrong or tell the University what works for you and your student experience. If you need advice regarding your course then contact your Academic Rep.Find out more...
Money Doctors is part of the Students’ Union Student Advice Centre. It is free, independent, impartial and confidential. Click on the logo to see how we can help you keep your finances healthy and make your money achieve what you want it to.Find out more...
You can feel safe in the knowledge that the University has a Cop Shop with a friendly campus police officer who is around to answer any questions. You can speak to him about anything from the security of your property, your personal safety or to report a crime.Find out more...
LRV is the Stoke Campus nightclub and holds our regular clubnights such as the ever popular Gobble on a Wednesday night and Super Friday. LRV is the Union’s largest venue with 1300 capacity.Find out more...
Legends and The Lounge are the Union's Beaconside campus venues. The Lounge is a recently refurbished, stylish bar serving great food and coffee as well as the traditional bar refreshments seven days a week. Legends is the Stafford Campus's nightclub and holds our weekly clubnight Mukky Duck as well as regular live music performances. Find out more...
The Ember Lounge is Staffordshire University Students' Union second Stoke Venue. Winner of Best Late Night Venue Midlands and Wales and a Best Bar None award, the Ember Lounge offers something for everybody. Whether it's an early morning espresso to get you ready for the day, a great value lunch or a night of cocktails and entertainment, we aim to deliver. Find out more...
The Squeeze Box has a delicious menu for both breakfast and lunch. For those wanting something healthy, yet tasty, Squeeze Box caters for all with options big and small. There is also a wide variety of hot drinks, with Fairtrade products being used where possible. Find out more...
Verve is Stoke’s newest venue offering students a funky place to relax and enjoy a tasty burger and the creamiest milkshakes. Open all day, students can pop in for food and drink, listen to some music, catch up on the latest magazines and just take a break from the world outside. Find out more...
The Students’ Union is a student-led organisation, and in that spirit endeavours to hire students and harness their skills where possible.
The latest video updates from the officer team about their work on behalf of the students at staffordshire University
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There are several eligibility criteria. You need to fulfil all of them to make a successful application. This page is designed to enable you to work out whether or not you are eligible.
You usually need to be Ordinarily Resident in the UK and to have Settled Status in the UK.
Undergraduates: this is a condition for eligibility for Student Finance (Loans and Grants); or NHS Bursaries as well as the Access to Learning Fund
If you can get Student Finance as a full or part-time student or an NHS Bursary, you’re Settled and Ordinarily Resident.
Postgraduates: you probably will not be getting Student Finance whoever you are; so...
EU nationals: you would not usually be eligible, but there are occasional exceptions. See an Adviser.
Refugees: People with full Refugee status awarded by the Home Office (not “Asylum Seekers”) are deemed to fulfil this condition even if they have only recently arrived in the UK. Full Refugee status is different from “Exceptional Leave to Remain”.
Usually, you must be studying at least 50% of the full-time equivalent version of your course in the current academic year.
Undergraduates: this usually means you need to be doing 60 or more credits with attendance in the academic year in which you’re applying.
Postgraduates: this usually means you need to be doing 90 or more credits with attendance in the academic year in which you’re applying.
Seek individual advice if:
People fulfilling these descriptions MAY be eligible depending on other factors. To advise, we would need to check eligibility for each individual.
You must be on a “designated” course (one on a list of course eligible for government funding). If you’re not sure about this, then ask.
The other two conditions are about your chances of getting an Award. These are:
You must be in unavoidable hardship. Showing the Fund that you are in unavoidable hardship is what the form itself (especially the Financial Statement section) is about. This will be explained in the Workshop. You will not be treated as being in unavoidable hardship if you have not taken up all the government funding (e.g. the full Maintenance Loan) available to you. Postgraduate students will be expected to apply for a Career or Professional Development Loan, available from High Street banks.
The Fund looks at each case individually. Explaining how your situation is different from that of the majority of other students can help your case.
Showing the Fund that you are in an unusual and sympathetic situation is always a useful step and might help the Fund make a “Non-standard” Award to you (“Non-Standard” awards are exceptional things at ALF’s discretion and are based on applicants having very unusual circumstances not covered by government guidance on the usual Award process). What to tell ALF about your personal circumstances will be explained in the ALF Workshop.
Nobody has the right to an Award from the Access to Learning Fund as opposed to eligibility to apply for one. ALF is a discretionary fund not a statutory entitlement. Even if you are fully and completely eligible for an Award, there is no guarantee that you will actually receive one in practice.