What is a Student's Union?

Your Students’ Union is a charity run by students for students. We represent you. 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, which are voted in by the student body every year and they represent five different aspects of the student experience. We have 

• Your Welfare Officer: Hayley Turner-Mcintyre
• Your Learning Experience Officer: Rama Hilouneh
• Your Democracy and Campaigns Officer: Destiny Karakus
• Your Student Development Officer: Mike Kiddell
• Your Academic Representation Officer: Edward Walls
• They represent you at the highest levels of University, always fighting for your rights and representing you as a student.

You can get in touch with the Elected Officers by emailing electedofficers@upsu.net.

We also put on social events - like Welcome Month! This year it will be a bit different, much like the new academic year - a blended experience. The Freshers’ Fayre will be a tailored online experience, which will be a bespoke event, created just for you. Free pizza to your door anyone? We are also working to bring Freshers’ Fayre to the city, but with keeping your safety at the forefront of everything we do, it will look different to Fayre's we've put on before.

In previous years we’ve hosted Pride Night, talks and Black History Month, Student Elections and a whole host of other events, just for you! We’re working on still hosting and celebrating these events, but they will be a little different depending on the Government guidelines and how the current circumstances change how we can host these events.

We also help run all the different student groups and sports clubs, with Sport and Recreation at the University. This gives you an opportunity to join a new group and try something new! Ever wanted to play Quidditch? Perhaps try Archery? American Football? These are only a couple of student groups you can join from the 100+ sport and groups UPSU has to offer.

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 and procedures as well as supporting students in university meetings.

We’re located on campus, right in the heart of the city. We’re next to the Library, Ravelin Park and the new Sports Centre which will be opening in 2021. We don’t have a bar, but we have do have a shop, a Starbucks cafe, the Print Shack (for all your personalisation needs), Third Space (which is perfect for events and studying - when we can!) and the Waterhole Space where you can hang out (when we can!) 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.

When you join The University of Portsmouth, you automatically become a member of the University of Portsmouth Students’ Union and we can’t wait to see you, whenever that may be.