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| The students are united |
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| Coming to study in the UK
is a big step. Don't worry
though! As Jim Griffin
discovers, the National
Union of Students will
support you every
step of the way
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| As a higher education student in the UK, you will almost
certainly be given membership to the National Union of
Students (NUS), a body created specifically to represent and
look after the needs of students throughout the UK.
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What does your NUS
card do for you?
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| If you are studying at a college or university whose
Students' Union is a member of the NUS, then you
will receive an NUS card through them. Your card will
allow you to receive discounts at various stores both
locally and nationally, including:
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HMV
Music, video and games shop
10% in-store discount
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Topshop/Topman
Female/male fashion outlets
10% in-store discount
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Habitat
House and home store
10% in-store discount
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Jet
Service stations. Every time your NUS
Card is swiped at a participating Jet
service station when a purchase is
made, NUS students can save
money into a personal 'Smile'
account. This can be withdrawn or
redeemed for vouchers to spend at
a number of high-street stores.
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NUS membership |
| The NUS was founded in 1922 and with almost five million
students across the UK, is one of the largest student organisations
in the world. It is a voluntary membership organisation
consisting of student representatives from the UK universities
and colleges who have decided to pay a membership fee and
become constituent members of the NUS. Currently there are
nearly 750 members, which accounts for almost every university
and college throughout the UK. If you attend one of these
establishments, you will automatically be given NUS membership.
NUS organisations in Scotland, Wales and Northern
Ireland are separate bodies, but maintain strong links with the
national union of students. |
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| Working for you |
| The NUS has an aim to enhance the lives and experiences of
students in the UK. Their beliefs are built on a foundation of
democracy, equality and collectivism, and they aim to achieve
their goal by making sure all students' voices are represented
and heard in a democratic fashion. The focal point within each
university for the NUS to achieve this is the Students' Union.
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| The Students' Union offers a variety of services including
advice and information on anything from welfare and finance
to personal matters, clubs and societies and charity fundraising
events. The Union is also responsible for organising
entertainment and events, from freshers' week to pop concerts
and end of term balls and galas.
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| There are yearly elections within each Students' Union, to
vote in new student officers who will run the Union and
implement any policies and decisions for the coming year.
Importantly, and in order to make sure students receive
fair representation and a say in the way institutions are
run, an officer is often voted onto the institution's board
of governors.
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| President of the NUS |
| Officers from individual Students' Unions can campaign to be
elected as the President of the NUS. The President is then
responsible for the NUS and is installed as the chair of the
National Executive Committee, who implement the policy
and objectives of the NUS. There have been numerous NUS
Presidents who have gone on to have illustrious careers. In
1980 to 1982 David Aaronovich, a journalist, broadcaster and
current affairs commentator was President of the NUS, and in
1969 the President of the NUS was the UK's current Foreign
Secretary, Jack Straw.
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International students |
| Although Students' Unions are there for the benefit of all
students, they have an important role to play in the welfare of
international students. In the UK in 2002, more than 200,000
international students were studying in UK higher education.
This accounts for approximately 12 per cent of the total
student population. In further education there were over 50,000
international students.
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| Welfare advice and support |
| Unions have a vital role to play in the support of these
students. Unions provide welfare advice and a voice for
international students to be able to get their thoughts, opinions
and beliefs across, and perhaps most importantly, they provide
a network for international students to get to know one another.
International and religious societies are open to everyone and
actively encourage students from different nationalities and
faiths to mix with one another.
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| Working together |
| Unions also work hand-in-hand with other organisations to
make sure international students receive all the help and advice
they require, from when they first enter the country until they
leave upon completion of their studies. UKCOSA: The Council
for International Education offers students specialist advice and
provides a variety of services to aid international students. To
find out more about the services UKCOSA offer, visit
www.ukcosa.org.uk
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| There for you |
| Choosing to study abroad is a major decision to make and
can be quite daunting. Through the work of the NUS and its
associate bodies, however, you can be sure that along every
step of the way, someone will be there to offer you invaluable
advice, help and guidance.
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| ^ top |
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| President of NUS Mandy Telford |
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University is a fantastic experience and studying in the UK will
offer you innumerable opportunities. As well as the obvious
benefits that a degree provides, you will have the chance to get
involved in countless projects, often for the
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the only time in your life. The campus community is also an
eclectic mix of personalities with people from all sorts of
different backgrounds working, living and socialising together.
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| As soon as you arrive on campus make a beeline for the
Students' Union to collect your National Union of Students
(NUS) card and check out all the activities on offer. You may
want to join a club or society, try out for the sports teams, join
a voluntary project in your local community,write for the union
newspaper or find a part-time job; the Students' Union will be
able to advise you on all these opportunities. As well as being
the 'best days of your life' university will help you develop skills
that will be invaluable once you go out into the world of
full-time work. Whatever your interests and experience you
can be sure student life will be as diverse and cosmopolitan
as you make it.
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| Don't forget that the NUS represents over five million students
in the UK and your Students' Union will be able to support you
on campus during your studies.
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| Good luck in making your choices and I wish you all the best for
your time at university.
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Mandy Telford
NUS National President
www.nusonline.co.uk
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| Web links |
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