Leeds Beckett Students’ Union (LBSU) is holding a referendum to ask students whether they think their Union should remain affiliated with NUS UK. We're asking all our SU members: ''Should Leeds Beckett Students’ Union remain affiliated to NUS UK?''  

This article explains what the referendum is, what NUS UK is, and how you can take part in the vote!

What’s happening?

LBSU is asking students to vote on whether the Students’ Union should remain affiliated with NUS UK.

This is an important decision about how the Union represents students at a national level, so it’s being put directly to the student body through a referendum.

Voting will take place at the same time as the Students’ Union Leadership Elections, so students can vote in both during the same period.

Campaigns and statements

The deadline for forming a YES and NO campaign has now passed.

We received applications from students to lead the NO campaign, but we did not receive any applications from members to run a YES campaign.

You can read the statement submitted by the NO campaign on this page.

What’s a referendum?

A referendum is a vote where all members of an organisation decide on a specific issue.

In this referendum, you’ll be asked to vote YES or NO on whether the Students’ Union should remain affiliated with NUS UK.

What is NUS?

The National Union of Students (NUS) is a national organisation that represents students across the UK.

Students’ unions can choose to affiliate with NUS to work collectively on issues affecting students, influence national policy, and collaborate with unions across the country.

However, NUS is made up of two separate organisations: NUS UK and NUS Charity.
 

NUS UK

NUS UK is the political and campaigning arm of the organisation. It has elected student leaders and focuses on national campaigning and political representation.

It works with students’ unions, educators and politicians to push for change on issues affecting students, including.

This year our affiliation with NUS UK cost LBSU £28,623 (1.9% of our overall budget). You can read the benefit statement from NUS UK that was shared with us in 2024/2025 here. Please note that this is not a campaign statement for the YES campaign.
 

NUS Charity

NUS Charity is a separate organisation that supports students’ unions through training and development opportunities, access to resources and support services for students’ unions.
This referendum is about NUS UK only. The outcome will not affect Leeds Beckett Students’ Union’s affiliation with NUS Charity.

What happens if students vote YES or NO?

If YES wins

Leeds Beckett Students’ Union will remain affiliated with NUS UK and continue to take part in national student representation and campaigning through the organisation.

If NO wins

Leeds Beckett Students’ Union will leave NUS UK and will no longer be a member of the political and campaigning body.

Regardless of the outcome, our affiliation with NUS Charity will remain unchanged.
 

FAQs

Who can vote?

All Leeds Beckett University students who are members of the Students’ Union are eligible to vote.
 

How do I vote?

Voting will take place online. All students will receive an email with a link to the voting platform when voting opens on March 24.
 

Do I have to vote in the elections to vote in the referendum?

No. You can choose to vote in the referendum, the elections, or both.
 

Why is this decision being put to students?

Affiliation with national organisations is an important decision for the Students’ Union. A referendum allows all students to decide directly whether the Union should remain affiliated with NUS UK.

Next Steps

Voting for this referendum will open alongside our Student Elections. You can vote from 9am on Tuesday 24 March until 5pm Wednesday 25 March.

All students will receive an email with a link to the voting page. Make sure to read our Referendum FAQs and to make sure you're well informed before making your decision.

The results will be announced week commencing 30 March, alongside the main election results.

If you have a query, concern or complaint about the campaigns for the referedum, you can register a concern here.