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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The Students Union is a not-for-profit unincorporated organisation. It currently has exempt charitable status derived from the University due to fact that under the Education Act, the University should have a representative body for students.
Because the Students Union delivers core representation, student support and sporting and recreational facilities, the University is able to fund through an annual block grant (currently £635,000pa). There are also a number of projects and programmes that the Union delivers that attract further smaller comitted grants, such as Money Doctors, Welcome Week, Access to Learning Fund workshops and Involved - the volunteering programme.
It isn't that we don’t make a profit, because we do. It's how we spend it that makes the big difference.
In the 2010/2011 academic year, the Union employed 240 students alongside a core staff team of 37 and 5 sabbatical officers, in order to deliver its portfolio of services. These range from Student Advice Centres, Sports Clubs and Societies, Student Shops, Juice Bar, Venues and common rooms, through to student media channels and the Summer Ball.
The cost of operating all these services is @ £1.8million this year(not including the cost of retail stock and food and beverages that are resold).
Because part of the Unions service portfolio are trading outlets, these are operated to be able to at least cover their costs. However, in order to provide the range of non-trading services, there is an additional need to bring in a surplus of £120,000 to add to the University grants each year.
Where possible this surpus is sought from non students, so advertising revenue generates 25% of the surplus and door entry prices are higher for non NUS entrants.
There are some added tax benefits from being a charitable organisation with supporting students at the heart of our purpose. This means that we do not have to charge VAT to students on our catering activity, allowing us to keep prices lower and also our sporting activity is also treated as VAT exempt.