ABOUT BUCKS STUDENTS’ UNION
Bucks Students’ Union was ranked in the Top 5 out of over 150 institutions for satisfaction of taught students in the 2024-25 National Student Survey. Our existing Strategic Plan for 2023-26 has the following priorities:
• Inclusivity and belonging
• Employability and life after university
• Student success and wellbeing
• Community and sustainability
• People and development
• Resources and responsible governance
To see the plan in full, visit bucksstudentsunion.org/strategicplan or pick up a copy from our offices.
Our mission
Making life better for students at Bucks
We truly believe the plan is leading us to become a more dynamic organisation that is able to inspire our members whilst tenaciously representing students at Bucks. Throughout each academic year, we carry out extensive research amongst our stakeholder groups to ensure that we are on track with the plan and delivering on all aspects. For full information on our services, you can read our Membership Guide at bucksstudentsunion.org/ membershipguide
The Big Deal
Once a student enrols Bucks, they are automatically a member of Bucks Students’ Union and we believe in putting our members first. As part of our exclusive Big Deal package we are the only UK university to offer our members free access to such a diverse and inspirational range of activities – all to enrich the university experience. The Big Deal is designed to encourage our members to try different activities, make new friends and to join in with the Bucks community, all completely free. For further information, please visit bucksstudentsunion.org/bigdeal.
Elected officers
Each year, elections are held for our four elected (or sabbatical) officer positions. The roles are full-time and are part of our Executive team helping to deliver the student experience we are so passionate about. These officers can hold the role for two years and their aim is to make life better for students at Bucks.
Nottingham
Nottingham hosts around 300 of our business students and is open six days per week. Our small, but very supportive Students’ Union team based here offer exceptional service across our representation, activities, training and development functions, again all free thanks to The Big Deal. They can be contacted on sunottingham@bnu.ac.uk
Uxbridge
With approximately 2,000 undergraduate and postgraduate nursing and healthcare students studying at our satellite campus in Uxbridge, its important to ensure they have access to all of the Union’s services. We have a team of five people which is made up of full-time, part-time and term-time staff who help to deliver all of our services, as well as providing essential, on campus support, most notably our independent and confidential advice centre. For more information about Uxbridge and the role the Students’ Union plays at this campus, please visit bucksstudentsunion.org/ uxbridge or email our Student Experience and Advocacy Manager lucy.ryan@bnu.ac.uk.
Campus link bus
There is a free, door-to-door bus service for students and staff between the High Wycombe and Uxbridge Campuses (with a valid BNU ID card). You will also be required to scan your ID card on entering the bus. You can see the time table at bucksstudentsunion.org/campuslink Alternatively, please call 01494 601 600, during office hours, for any queries or more information or email union@bnu.ac.uk
Advice Centre
We can provide information, advice and guidance for various issues in several areas including accommodation, course, financial, legal (limited advice as we are not legal advisers), international and EU students and personal. Most of the enquiries we receive are regarding course and financial issues so here is a bit more information about what issues we offer support for in these areas.
In terms of the course issues, because we are independent from the University, we can help and advise students through many University procedures. These include mitigating circumstances, academic integrity, academic appeals, fitness to practise, student disciplinaries and student complaints. With financial issues, we can advise students on Student Finance, the NHS Learning Support Fund, The BNU Hardship Fund and short-term loan scheme, welfare benefits and University bursaries. So, if you have any students that you think we can help, please do not hesitate to refer them to us or contact us yourself if you have any questions about how we can help support your students. The best way for you or students to contact us in the first instance is to email suadvice@bnu.ac.uk
Bucks Printing
Bucks Printing is an on-site digital print facility and design agency that is run and managed by Bucks Students’ Union. We offer a vast range of printed products with competitive pricing and a special University discount. For more information, drop in to see us, visit bucksprinting.com or email help@bucksprinting.com
Cafes
The SU runs cafes across two campuses and are proud to support Fairtrade and rain forest alliance products.
The Kitchen at our High Wycombe Campus, in East Wing serves Costa coffee alongside a range of hot dish specials and breakfast, meal deals, jacket potatoes, salad bar and a range of confectionary. Also in HW is The Lounge serving Starbucks coffee, with a large menu offering a wide range of breakfast options, burgers, and
‘pub classics’, as well as Rusty’s Roadhouse, based in the 1950’s style Airstream™ caravan located opposite the entrance to The Venue, serving delicious, freshly prepared pizzas on a 10-inch sourdough. In Uxbridge we have the Pulse café situated at the heart of campus with a further Costa offer alongside breakfast, salads, sandwiches and snacks.
Representation
Our representation system ensures students get the most out of their academic experience. The Students’ Union has a network of over 200 student reps across all courses, who provide a credible student voice to the University. Student reps attend regular meetings with academics to instigate change, improve communication between staff and students, and better their course for future years. College officers oversee the student reps in their college and identify thematic issues across years and courses. They attend additional meetings with the Students’ Union and academic team to work collaboratively on these matters.
We have created a Staff Guide to Representation which goes through the basics of what is expected from both students and staff as part of the representation system. This can be found at bucksstudentsunion.org/ policiesandresources under ‘Representation’. If you would like more information, please contact surepresentation@bnu.ac.uk.
Freshers’ Helpers and Buddies
The Students’ Union run support initiatives in partnership with the University to help our new students with their transition into Higher Education. More information can be found on the freshers’ helper project and buddying scheme at bucksstudentsunion.org/freshershelpers and bucksstudentsunion.org/bucksbuddying
Skills and activites
All skills sessions and recreational activities are offered free to BNU students through The Big Deal. We can work with you, at any campus, to arrange sessions that complement the studies of your students whilst improving social confidence and enhancing employability. Contact sutraining@bnu.ac.uk if you would like to discuss any specific activity or skills relevant to your course.
Volunteering
All volunteering opportunities for students can be found at bucksstudentsunion. org/volunteeringportal. The volunteering portal allows students to access volunteering opportunities both in the local community and on campus. Students can create a profile where they can log their hours and gain certificates. We offer a wide range of volunteering from long-term, short-term, to one-off opportunities.
We encourage students to participate in volunteering alongside their degree to enhance their CV and employability skills, as well as networking and socialising in a professional environment. Volunteering has amazing benefits for both the local community, students and staff and more information can be found at bucksstudentsunion.org/volunteering.
Bucks Award
The Bucks Award is a full record of all Students’ Union achievements in one place. Any student can request their Bucks Award at any time during the year and we will use it as an ongoing reflective tool to identify any areas they feel we can help them develop. It can also be a way of showing prospective employers the many activities they have been involved in, demonstrating the transferable skills and experiences picked up during their time at university.
To find out more visit bucksstudentsunion.org/ bucksaward
JobShop
Many of our members will need to work whilst studying and our JobShop is regularly updated with local, part-time opportunities that can be worked flexibly around studies. Aside from the earning potential, the transferable skills gained from a part-time job will be a great start to the chosen career of your students and provide essential, detailed experience for their CV. To share current vacancies with your students visit bucksstudentsunion.org/jobshop
To advertise jobs through the Union, or the JobShop board, is completely free of charge.
Simply email the details to sujobs@bnu.ac.uk
We are only able to advertise opportunities that meet the criteria of all our Students’ Union policies and values.
Leadership Academy
As one of the leading Students’ Unions in the country, Bucks Students’ Union has employed many BNU graduates on its management and wider staff team. One of our key strategic priorities for the coming years is ‘Employability and life after university’ and to assist us in achieving this we have created The Leadership Academy to recognise the value of developing future leaders early on.
The Leadership Academy is a bespoke development programme for talented students to gain specific skills for routes through the Union into leadership roles. It’s a series of training, courses and opportunities to enhance employability and build leadership traits - all free of charge, thanks to The Big Deal.
We recruit a cohort of future leaders at the beginning of the first term to start the programme at the end of October. If you would like to nominate a student or students for the Leadership Academy please contact sutraining@bnu ac.uk or visit bucksstudentsunion.org/leadershipacademy for more information.
Sports
We run over 18 competitive teams across 14 sports. Everyone has the chance to get involved in the teams either by playing or through the social aspect of the clubs. Our teams regularly play on Wednesdays throughout the year, with some sports such as Cheer, Swimming and Dance competing over the weekend. The Union provides the transport to and from matches, the shirts that the students play in and the training facilities and coach free of charge. For further information on what sports we offer please visit bucksstudentsunion.org/sports
Societies
Societies are student groups who meet regularly with others who have a similar interest or hobby. They are a great way to have a more varied social life, meet new people and widen their social network beyond just course mates or the people they live with. We have around 30 different societies, but the team are always on hand to support the formation of new ones, which range from academic, common interest, community, faith and physical activities. For further information on how to set up a society, or what societies we offer, please visit bucksstudentsunion.org/societies.
Sport for Fun
The Union provides a recreational sporting offer for those students not interested in competing. There is no commitment needed for this as students can attend these sessions around their studies. Always offering the students new sports to get involved in gives the perfect platform to try something new. For further information please visit bucksstudentsunion.org/sportforfun
Student media
The Bucks Student newspaper, and our YouTube channel, make up our student media offer and are bursting with student-led content. Whether your students are budding journalists, looking to get into podcasting, love a bit of post-production work, or are looking to expand their film reel we can help.
Events and The Venue
Bucks Students’ Union runs the award winning
The Venue, Bucks - a student- focused and inclusive social space, comprising of the intimate Lounge bar and larger club/live main room.
The Venue boasts the best entertainment provision in the local area and is totally FREE for all Bucks students and staff. To see the full event listing please visit bucksstudentsunion.org/ whatson or thevenuebucks.co.uk
The Lounge Bar is open daily from 9am, for all day breakfasts, Starbucks Coffee, some really good burgers and traditional pub food – all at student discounted prices. With most tables with access to power, this is the perfect space for that lunch time meeting.
Students are always welcome to discuss any event ideas they may have and do not have to pay to use the space – contact suevents@bnu.ac.uk for more information. The Venue is available for hire outside of term time with discounted rates available for University staff.
