What is a Students' Union?

Your Students’ Union is a charity run by students for students. We represent the wants and needs of the students.

But we’re also so much more.

Fun Fact! We started representing students in 1911 and we were the first Students’ Union in the country to be a registered charity!

Your Elected Officers

Your Union is run by five Elected Officers, who are voted in by the student body every year. They represent five different aspects of the student experience. This year, we have:

• Your Welfare Officer: Natasha Layley
• Your Democracy and Campaigns Officer: Dom Owen
• Your Student Development Officer: Temidayo Dosunmu
• Your Learning Experience Officer: Jade Underwood
• Your Academic Representation Officer: Ayoola Johnson

These Elected Officers represent you at the highest levels of University, always fighting for your rights and representing you as a student. They run different campaigns throughout the year, all focussing on your student experience, both academic and personal.

You can get in touch with the Elected Officers by emailing electedofficers@upsu.net, or through Instagram @upsuofficers.

The Union Building

The Union is located on campus, right in the heart of the city. We’re on Cambridge Road, next to the Library, Ravelin Park and the new Ravelin Sports Centre which is opening to students on 3rd September 2022.

The Union Shop and the Print Shack (for all your personalisation needs) are located in the Union Building, as well as Third Space (perfect for events and studying), and various spaces where you can hang out with friends for studying, chilling, and lunch. We also have activity and meeting rooms which you can book out for student group meetings and any other meetings you might need.

Pop by to say hello!

Events

Throughout the year we put on social events for students. Recently these have included Welfare Festival, Dog Room Relaxation, Picnic in the Park, and our Sexual Health and Guidance Festival, SHaG Fest.

We know a lot of students will be wanting to find out more about one of our biggest events of the year - FRESHERS’ FAYRE!

This is happening from Tuesday 20th September to Thursday 22nd September and will be a great way for you to meet other new students and learn more about the University with some music and a bite to eat.

But this is not the only fayre we will be organising before the start of term. We will also have our Opportunities Fairs’, each with their own interesting activities that will give you a great welcome to the University.

The official University of Portsmouth Freshers’ Pack is also now on sale which includes entry to Your Official Moving In Party, The Big Night Out, Freshers Festival 2022 and The Freshers Rave. Grab your ticket here!

Student Groups

We also help run all the different student groups and sports clubs, with Sports and Recreation running the competitive sports groups at the university.

These groups give you a great opportunity to continue a hobby or try something new! Ever wanted to try Cuban Salsa? Judo? Or Skydiving? These are only a few of the student groups you can join from the 100+ sports and groups UPSU has to offer. You can check out all our groups here. The groups will be at Freshers’ Fayre so you can pop along to see them too!

Don’t see a group you want to join? You can always start your own group or adopt a group that is no longer active! You can find out more about that here.

Advice Service

We want university to be one of the best experiences of your life! But, we also know it has its ups and downs, and it can be tough. You’re never alone. You can speak to the Advice Service for any personal or academic issues you might be having.

The Advice Service offers confidential, impartial and non-judgemental support. They deliver advice and guidance on a range of academic and university issues that may affect your experience. This means helping students understand university policies as well as supporting students in university meetings.

You can pop in and visit our Advice Service in Gun House, behind Café Coco, or call them on 02392843478.

When you join the University of Portsmouth, you automatically become a member of the University of Portsmouth Students’ Union.

We can’t wait to welcome you!