Bristol students vote Remain

By Sofia Lambis, Deputy Editor

The results of the NUS referendum were announced on Friday.

NUS UK is a nationwide campaign network of students and is separate from the NUS Charity. Only Bristol SU's affiliation to the former was being contested.

5,616 students voted on the question 'Should Bristol SU be affiliated to the National Union of Students?'

68 per cent voted YES and 32 per cent voted NO, meaning that Bristol SU will remain affiliated with NUS UK.

Around 95 per cent of all students’ unions throughout the country are affiliated to the NUS. However, several student unions across the UK, such as Cambridge SU and Cardiff SU recently voted against reaffiliation. Bristol SU pays £30,000 per year for NUS UK membership.

The results are in! Meet your new Full-Time Officers for 2026/27

After 72,372 votes and 9,864 voters, a record-breaking number of University of Bristol students participated in student democracy over the past week.

EpigramLenny Osler

A referendum on Bristol SU's NUS UK affiliation takes place every three years. The last vote was held in March 2023, but voter turnout was not high enough to be deemed valid under the SU's byelaws.

Bristol SU sends ten elected representatives to the NUS National Conference every year. These delegates vote on the policies and elections that decide the direction of the NUS. Like all affiliated Students’ Unions, Bristol SU can also submit motions to this conference.

A Standing Committee (which includes Full Time Officers, Chair of Networks, Faculty Reps and Student Trustees) agrees on Bristol SU's final list of motions to send to the NUS. Any student can write a motion for Standing Committees consideration.

Should we reaffiliate with the NUS? Yes!

This march, all Bristol students will have the opportunity to vote on whether we reafilliate with the National Union of Students. Sophie Lee is here to tell you why she supports the ‘yes’ campaign.

EpigramSophie Lee

Should we reaffiliate with the NUS? No!

This march, all Bristol students will have the opportunity to vote on whether we reafilliate with the National Union of Students. Amelie Patel is here to tell you why she supports the ‘no’ campaign.

EpigramAmelie Patel