► Union Info

What is a Students’ Union?

The Students’ Union is an organisation that seeks to enrich your student experience and open doors of opportunities throughout your life at University. Serving 18,000 students, it is independent of the University and is run FOR students BY students. It’s also a registered charity, this means that all of the money made from commercial services is reinvested back into the organisation to ensure that you are getting the best facilities, events and services possible. In short, every single pound you spend in the SU will find its way back to you in some form.

More often than not, individuals associate a students’ union with a bar or cheap place to eat but this is only a small part of what we offer. Yes, we do have a great bar, café, and shop but there is so much more at your fingertips as we are here to support you throughout your university career. We offer advice, support, representation, events, societies, sports clubs, work experience and volunteering opportunities that boost the CV through our brand new Centre for Student Involvement. We are also independent from the university, but as a Solent student, you are automatically a member.

Solent SU is also affiliated with the NUS (National Union of Students); this means that you are represented at a national level with regard to wider student issues. It also means that you have access to the fantastic NUS Extra discount card which is a ‘must have’ for any student. You can purchase your card online or at the Solent SU shop to start saving. 

Find out more about the NUS Extra discount card.

By students for students? How does that work?

In February each year we run elections across the whole student body. Any student can run for any position and all students can vote. The positions on offer are the Sabbatical Officer roles – President, Vice President Education, Vice President Student Engagement, and Vice President Welfare. These are all full time, paid positions that commence in June and run for a year. Their job is to represent Solent students and ensure that the Union is heading in the right direction.