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Students' Union UCL is affiliated to the National Union of Students UK (NUS). The Education Act states that where a students' union is affiliated to an external organisation, there should be a procedure for the membership to review and approve affiliation status.
The last review of our affiliation to NUS was held in May 2023, where 59.4% of students who voted, voted for us to REMAIN a member of NUS UK. You can view a summary of the 2023 referendum here.
On 2 February 2026, Union Executive voted to hold a referendum to decide whether: ‘Should Students' Union UCL disaffiliate from National Union of Students (NUS UK)?’
We're here to facilitate this vote and the Union will remain impartial during the referendum. After the vote, whichever outcome has a majority will set our position as a Students’ Union.
- What is NUS?
- The National Union of Students (NUS) was founded in 1922 and today represents university and college students across the UK. Approximately 400 students' unions are affiliated, representing the interests of more than seven million students. Around 95% of all students’ unions in the UK are affiliated to NUS, including Students' Union UCL. NUS have a website where you can read more about who they are and their work.
In the past NUS was a single organisation, but since 2019 it has become two separate organisations. NUS UK and NUS Charity.
NUS UK is a registered company that exists to represent the views and interests of students based at UK Universities, through national campaigns and political lobbying. This arm of the NUS is often called the 'campaigning', 'political' and 'democratic' arm of the NUS, which has Full-Time Officers, with its work being guided by the National Conferences such as NUS England Conference.
NUS Charity is a membership body that supports Unions to develop, through training and resources and has a trading consortium which allows us to negotiate collectively on behalf of our shops and bars to offer discounted prices.
NUS Charity have confirmed that it would be possible for a Union to disaffiliate from NUS UK and still be a member of NUS Charity.
Please note that this referendum refers to the Union's membership of NUS UK, the campaigning arm of NUS. - Campaigning Rules
- The campaigning rules for the referendum can be found here.
Want to join a campaign team?
If you are interested in being part of an official campaign group (Leave NUS UK or Remain Affiliated to NUS UK) complete this webform by Monday 13 April at 12:00. Each campaign team will receive a budget of £250 and only official, registered, members of a campaign team can submit expenses and be reimbursed.
NUS Referendum Schedule
| DATE | LOCATION | MILESTONE |
|---|---|---|
| Monday 13 April 12:00 | Referendum 2026 - Join a Campaign Team | Deadline to submit your interest in joining a campaigning team |
| Wednesday 29 April 13:00 | Executive Suite 103, Front Engineering Building and via Microsoft Teams | Open Meeting |
| Monday 4 May 09:00 | Online | Voting Opens |
| Friday 8 May 12:00 | Online | Voting Closes |
| Friday 8 May 16:00 | Online | Results Published |
What does the question mean?
The question which you will have the opportunity to vote on is: 'Should Students' Union UCL disaffiliate from National Union of Students (NUS UK)'
You will be given the option to either: Leave NUS UK or Remain Affiliated to NUS UK.
You will also have the option to 'ABSTAIN' when voting. This means that your vote will count towards the 5% quorum required for the vote to be binding. But, you have not indicated a preference as to whether the Union continues to be affiliated to NUS UK or not.
What happens if we leave NUS UK?
- We would no longer participate in or be able to shape NUS campaigns, be able to vote for the officers who lead NUS or participate in their national conferences.
- We would still have access to the benefits of NUS Charity, such as Union development resources, purchasing consortium, trading support, election support and other services.
- We would save £23,040 in affiliation fees. This could be reinvested in areas of the Union.
- We would still be able to work with other unions on national campaigning.
- If students wanted to, they could hold a vote re-affiliate in the future.
What happens if we stay affiliated to NUS UK?
- We would continue to pay the affiliation fee.
- We would be able to shape and participate in any national campaigns NUS UK undertakes.
- We would be able to take part in NUS UK’s democracy such as NUS England and vote for NUS' elected officers.
- If students wanted to, they could hold a further vote on affiliation again in the future.
FAQs
- How many students need to vote for the referendum to be binding?
5% of students need to vote for the referendum to be binding. There is no minimum quota required for each option for the referendum to be binding.
- What voting system will be used for the referendum?
First past the post. This means you can choose one option - Leave NUS UK or Remain Affiliated to NUS UK or Abstain.
- What should I do if I have a complaint?
You can submit a complaint via the NUS Referendum Complaints Webform. Complaints must be received by Friday 8 May 13:00 in order to be reviewed.