On Friday 28th November 2025, the Students' Union Board of Trustees decided to call a referendum on SUBU's affiliation to NUS UK.
The Official Question wording is:
“Should SUBU disaffiliate from NUS UK?”
All current student members will have the opportunity to vote on their preference via an online secret ballot. The outcome of the referendum will determine whether we, SUBU, renew our membership of NUS UK for the start of 2027.
This referendum will be held according to the timetable below:
| Monday 11 May 2026, 10am |
Notification to members of the referendum and call for motions to be submitted. |
| Friday 15 May 2026, 12pm |
Deadline for motions to be submitted. |
| Tuesday 19 May 2026, 10am |
Referendum voting and campaigning opens |
| Thursday 28 May 2026, 4pm |
Referendum voting and campaigning closes |
| Thursday 28 May 2026, 6pm |
Referendum results published at Student Members Meeting |
NUS Referendum
Should SUBU disaffiliate from NUS UK?
Introduction FAQs
For a fee, Students’ Unions across the UK can choose to be a part of The National Union of Students (NUS). NUS is an association of around 400 students’ unions, representing a high percentage of all higher and further education unions in the UK and representing the interests of more than four million students. NUS is a membership organisation that carries out campaigns and lobbying activities on behalf of students and its member students’ unions to make a difference in students' lives.
What is the National Union of Students (NUS)?
The NUS is more than one organisation; it is made up of separate companies:
- NUS (UK) is the campaigning arm of the organisation that is responsible for championing student issues on a national level, known as the National Union of Students UK (NUS UK)
- NUS Charity is separate and exists to support the development of students' unions, known as 'NUS Students' Unions Charitable Services Ltd'.
Read more about the NUS on their website.
What are the types of NUS membership?
The term 'affiliation to NUS' can be unclear, as there are different levels of membership associated with the two separate companies that make up NUS.
The differences between the components of the NUS and its tiered membership system are outlined below:
- National Union of Students (UK) membership - This is a membership to the student voice organisation 'NUS (UK)' which delivers campaigns and national representation, currently costing Students' Unions 2% of their block grant. To end membership with NUS UK, students must vote on affiliation by secret ballot (a referendum).
- NUS Students' Unions Charitable Services Ltd membership - Also known as 'NUS Charity', this is a membership to the students' union development and support aspect of NUS, currently costing Students' Unions 0.5% of their block grant. The SU's referendum is not in relation to its affiliation with the NUS Charity.
You also may have heard of NUS Services Limited (NUSSL) - this is the trading element of NUS or 'buying consortium' where SUs procure supplies for bars and entertainment via collective buying power facilitated through the NUS. This is automatically included within the NUS Charity membership (it is a social enterprise subsidiary of NUS Charity). Alternatively, there is a £2,000 flat rate outside of NUS Charity membership if you are not a member.
More information on the terms of NUS membership can be found here.
The Students' Union at Bournemouth University has 'dual membership', which means we are affiliated with the NUS (UK) and the NUS Charity. Please note: For this referendum, students will vote only on SUBU's affiliation with 'NUS UK', as it has the most significant financial and political implications. The NUS Charity membership is an operational and commercial affiliation and is not included in the proposed referendum.
What is our current membership cost to NUS?
The Students' Union at Bournemouth University has a dual membership and is affiliated to the NUS (UK) and the NUS Charity. There are separate fees for being affiliated to either of these elements of NUS.
For the current academic year (2025-2026), affiliation to NUS UK will cost the Students' Union at Bournemouth University £23,740.50.
For the current academic year (2025-2026), affiliation with NUS Charity will cost the Students' Union at Bournemouth University £ 5,935.13.
Why are we having a referendum?
SUBU believes that students should shape the direction of their Union, and understanding where BU students stand on affiliation to NUS UK is critical to achieving this.
It is normal for students to question whether their students' union should be a member of NUS UK due to a large range of factors - these can be political, social or economic.
SUBU has not held a vote on continued affiliation to NUS UK in recent times. This has become a topic of discussion at SUBU's Board of Trustees, alongside other considerations around the extent of NUK UK's value and impact on students at Bournemouth University. Communication between SUBU and NUS UK, linked to value for money, is included below.
As a result of these discussions, the Board of Trustees have decided to put the matter to a referendum so our members can decide on SUBU's continued affiliation with NUS UK.
You can find the letter SUBU's Trustee Board sent to NUS UK here.
You can find NUS UK's response here.
Referendum process
All SU referenda must be in accordance with SUBU's Bye-Laws and the Referendum Rules & Regulations.
Motions and campaigning
As standard practice for SU referendums, ahead of the opening of voting, we are looking to put together two teams of campaigners from both sides of the argument on whether SUBU should or shouldn’t disaffiliate from NUS UK. We are requesting that any student member with an interest in our affiliation to NUS UK (whether you are a NUS-sceptic or feel strongly that we should not disaffiliate) who wants to campaign in this referendum, fill out the form below.
Register Campaign Team
Voting
Students may vote YES, the Students’ Union at Bournemouth University should disaffiliate from NUS UK or NO, the Students’ Union at Bournemouth University should not disaffiliate from NUS UK, or Students may vote ABSTAIN if they do not feel strongly about either option.
The outcome will be decided by a simple majority, provided a quorum of 5% of Student Members has voted. If the majority of students vote YES, SUBU will notify NUS that we will not renew our affiliation with NUS UK.
Getting referendum ready
Key considerations
The following sets out information and key considerations relating to SUBU's affiliation with NUS UK. It is intended to support informed student decision-making and does not take a position on the referendum outcome.
If SUBU remains affiliated to NUS UK
Representation and influence
- NUS UK is a national representative body that operates on the basis of collective student voice and collective action, aiming to influence issues affecting students across the UK.
- Affiliation enables Students’ Unions to contribute to and be represented within a national organisation that advocates for student issues.
Considerations for students:
- How important is national-level representation compared to local-level campaigning and support?
- How effective do students feel NUS UK is in influencing national policy?
International representation
- Through affiliation to NUS UK, members are also connected to international student representation structures, including the European Students’ Union and the Global Students’ Forum.
Considerations for students:
- How valuable are international links and representation to SUBU and BU students?
Cost of affiliation
- SUBU is currently paying £23,740.50 per year in NUS UK affiliation fees.
- This is calculated as 2% of SUBU’s block grant from BU and has a maximum cap of £30,000.
Considerations for students:
- Do students feel the value of NUS UK membership justifies the annual cost?
- What alternative uses could the same funding support if not spent on affiliation?
Campaigning and support
- NUS UK runs national campaigns on student issues. Examples of current campaign themes include:
- Increasing maintenance funding and updating thresholds
- Opposing the international student levy
- Campaigning on student housing conditions and standards
Considerations for students:
- Do students feel NUS campaigns align with the issues that matter most to BU students?
- How important is access to national campaign materials and support?
If SUBU leaves NUS UK
Cost saving
- SUBU would no longer pay the annual affiliation fee of £23,740.50 to NUS UK
Considerations for students:
- How should SUBU prioritise or reinvest funds if affiliation ends?
- What would students want to see as an alternative use of this funding?
Participation in NUS UK democracy and structures
- NUS UK has restructured its democratic processes, and NUS National Conference and NUS Liberation Conference no longer exist in their previous form.
- As a result, student participation routes and decision-making processes are different from previous years.
Considerations for students:
- How important is it for SUBU to be a part of NUS UK’s democratic structures?
- Do students feel the current structures provide meaningful student influence?
What would change operationally if SUBU disaffiliates
- If SUBU ends its affiliation with NUS UK, SUBU would no longer be able to:
- Participate in NUS UK democratic processes as a member of the union
- Access certain NUS UK campaign materials and campaign support that are limited to affiliated unions
- Have SUBU officers/delegates sit on NUS UK committees as member representatives
- Run for or participate in certain NUS UK roles or officer structures reserved for member unions
Considerations for students:
- Would SUBU be able to deliver similar outcomes independently or through other partnerships?
- How important is participation in national structures compared with local participation?
Wider impact on collective student voice
- If Students’ Unions disaffiliate from NUS UK, this may reduce the size and collective influence of NUS UK as a national body
Considerations for students:
- How much weight should be given to collective national representation, even if not all students feel equally connected to NUS UK?
Re-affiliation in the future
- If SUBU disaffiliates, there may be an option to re-affiliate in the future, subject to the rules and process in place at the time.
Considerations for students:
- Should the decision be viewed as permanent, or as something that could be revisited later?
A document from NUS UK outlining the benefits of membership is available here.
SUBU's priorities and strategy are available here.
Key questions students may wish to consider
- Is NUS UK membership good value for the annual fee?
- How important is national representation compared to local independence?
- Do NUS UK campaigns align with BU student priorities?
- What would SUBU do differently or invest in if the affiliation fee were no longer paid?
- How important is it that SUBU can participate in NUS UK structures and opportunities?
Do other Students' Unions hold referendums on NUS affiliation?
Yes. Some Students' Unions have held referendums on whether to leave, remain or rejoin NUS UK at different points.
If SUBU leaves NUS UK, would it be unusual?
No. Some Students' Unions have chosen to disaffiliate, others remain affiliated. SUBU's decision would be legitimate either way.
Does what other Students' Unions do determine what SUBU should do?
No. Each Students' Union's decision reflects its own student priorities, finances and governance arrangements. BU students are being asked to decide based on what is right for BU students.
What will happen if students vote to disaffiliate from NUS UK?
- Written confirmation must then be sent to NUS' Board before 1 July in the year in which an SU wishes to withdraw from membership. This will then take effect on 31 December of that year.
- This means that if BU students vote to disaffiliate, that SUBU will remain a part of their membership until 31 December 2026.
What will not change regardless of the outcome?
Regardless of the referendum outcome, the following will remain the same:
- The Union will still benefit from a separate membership with NUS Charity (which includes Union development resources, trading support, election support services, communities of practice, crisis support and more).
- Students can access 'Totum' discount cards.
- Networking can occur between our Elected Officers and other officers across the UK.
- The Union can still access the trading element of NUS (NUSSL) and therefore can access the collective buying consortium (allowing us to purchase cheaper food and drink supplies for our shops and bars).
Complaints
The rules and regulations concerning referenda are outlined in Article 15 of the Union’s Articles of Association and in Bye-Law 5: Referendum in the Union’s Constitution. You can find our full referendum rules here.
Before submitting a complaint, please read the full Rules and Regulations in the document linked above, please also read the full complaints process within.