Leaving NUS UK is about ensuring that The SU Bath delivers the best possible value and representation for its students. This is not a rejection of the mission of NUS; we recognise the important role it has played in representing students nationally. However, its current delivery no longer matches that mission, particularly in terms of visibility, engagement, and impact for students at Bath. Voting NO means choosing the option that delivers the clearest value, strongest accountability, and most direct impact for students at the University of Bath.
What a NO Vote Means in Practice
A NO vote does not remove key services or benefits that students rely on:
- NUS Charity membership is retained
- Support for SU elections
- NUSSL (bars and trading support)
- Other core operational services
- All major student discounts continue
- UNiDAYS
- Student Beans
- TOTUM
- No change to the day‑to-day student experience
Students keep the services they actually use.
Financial Value
- SU Bath pays £30,000 per year to NUS UK
- Conferences and training often require additional fees
- Outcomes from this spend are often unclear or indirect for Bath students
Leaving NUS UK allows this money to be reinvested locally, including:
- Clubs and societies
- Facilities and campus spaces
- Student‑led campaigns and initiatives
This ensures student money is spent directly on Bath students.
Representation and Engagement
Effective representation relies on active engagement and meaningful involvement.
At Bath:
- Student engagement with NUS UK is very low
- Awareness of NUS UK activity among the student body is limited
- This year, zero students put themselves forward for NUS Liberation delegate roles
This raises clear concerns about whether NUS UK is currently representing Bath students’ priorities in a meaningful way.
Campaigning and Influence
The SU Bath is not dependent on NUS UK to take action on important issues.
The SU can and does:
- Run successful independent campaigns
- Work with other Students’ Unions
- Lobby MPs, regulators, and decision‑makers directly
- Focus on issues that matter most to Bath students
A NO vote gives The SU Bath greater control over how and when it campaigns, rather than relying on national structures with limited local engagement.
Accountability and Responsiveness
Concerns have been raised about:
- Slow or unclear responses from NUS UK
- Limited feedback on action taken when issues are escalated
- Student priorities being overridden, including threatened action in response to a pro‑Palestine open letter from student representatives
- Lack of transparency around how Bath’s views influence national priorities
Strong representation requires transparency and responsiveness – areas where NUS UK has not consistently delivered for Bath students.
National Wins vs Actual Impact
NUS UK highlights national campaigning successes, including work on maintenance support. However, some national campaigns have been funded through mechanisms such as an international student levy, meaning the costs are not shared equally across the student body.
As a result, national wins can:
- Benefit some groups of students more than others
- Place a disproportionate financial burden on international students
- Deliver outcomes that feel disconnected from Bath students’ lived experience
Focusing resources locally allows The SU Bath to prioritise fair, transparent, and directly beneficial outcomes for all students in its own campaigns.
Not a Permanent Decision
Leaving NUS UK is not irreversible.
The SU Bath can reaffiliate in the future if:
- Engagement improves
- Representation becomes more relevant
- Value for money is clear
This referendum is about what works now, not closing doors permanently.
The Bottom Line
A NO vote means:
- Keeping essential services and discounts
- Redirecting £30,000 per year into Bath students
- Maintaining the ability to campaign nationally
- Prioritising accountability, visibility, and local impact
It is a practical, evidence‑based decision about how best to represent and support students at Bath.
Vote NO to NUS UK