Cambridge SU Michaelmas Referendum 2025

NUS Affiliation

Should Cambridge SU disaffiliate from the National Union of Students UK (NUS UK)?

This question asks students whether Cambridge SU should disaffiliate from NUS UK.

The outcome of this motion will determine whether Cambridge SU will disaffiliate from NUS UK, and no longer be a member after 31st December 2026, or continue its membership and stay affiliated with NUS UK.

NUS has two diferent levels of memberships. These are the ‘National Union of Students (UK)’, NUS UK, and ‘NUS Students’ Unions Charitable Services Ltd’, NUS Charity.

• 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 SUs 2% of their block grant. To end membership at 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 SUs 0.5% of their block grant. The SU's referendum is not in relation to its affiliation to NUS Charity. The referendum is in reference to the campaigning element of NUS only.

Cambridge SU currently has a 'dual membership', which means we are affiliated to the NUS (UK) and NUS Charity. There are separate fees for being affiliated to either of these elements of NUS. Cambridge SU currently pays fees to be affiliated to both. The cost of membership to NUS (UK) for the year 2024-25 was £14,600. This is largely based on amount of money the SU recieves from the university.

For this referendum, students will vote on The SU’s affiliation to ‘NUS UK’ only as the political campaigning and representative arm of NUS. The NUS Charity membership is an operational service and is not included in the proposed referendum.

See the SU Referendum page for more information: https://www.cambridgesu.co.uk/makeachange/elections/referendum/