Our Themes
Join us in celebrating the first 100 years and planning the next 100.
Participate, read, watch, listen with the NUS Centenary resources below.
Ahead of the curve
- We secured healthcare on campuses (‘Student Health’ Report, 1937) – over a full decade before the NHS was founded.
- NUS-USI was established in 1972 under a unique arrangement where both the British and Irish national student unions jointly organised in Northern Ireland to promote student unity across the sectarian divide. An idea which seemed radical at the time, a full 26 years before the Good Friday Agreement.
- We were the first organisation in the UK to pass policy in favour of gay rights in 1973
- NUS was the first UK organization to have a policy on Welsh language.
- First elected Trans Officer in Europe.
Fighting for students & society
As part of the international student movement we named 17th November as International Students Day.
We’re the reason students don’t have to pay council tax.
We proved in court that the government wrongly deported 48,000 international students.
The NUS Women’s Campaign played a key role in ensuring that a move to restrict abortion rights was defeated in parliament.
In 2012 the NUS LGBT campaign was central to the decision to end the blanket ban on gay men donating blood.
NUS Scotland was instrumental in getting tuition fees abolished for undergraduates in Scotland.
We got postgraduate loans introduced and then we got the age caps removed.
Following period poverty campaigning, the Scottish government was the first in the world to provide free menstrual products in every school, college and university.
Student Travel & Discounts
- We developed what became the International Student Identity Card (ISIC).
- We established Endsleigh Insurance in 1965 to provide services to students
- We got student railcards introduced and then extended to 16–17-year olds.
- We champion student discounts with TOTUM (previously NUS Extra card).
News & Upcoming Events
Researching Student Histories Workshop Series
Find out more about the upcoming events on researching student histories and the use of student archives.
Student Strike for Education: Walk Out Teach In
We are calling on all students to join the strike and Walk Out / Teach In on 2nd March 2022.
Events
We have some events lined up to celebrate our birthday. Check them out and get registered.
2022 Year of the Student
On 10th February 1922, the National Union of Students was founded. That is 100 years of students making change.
