Last night was the 2024 Community Awards where we celebrated the successes and achievements of the year. Here's a list of all of the winners!
Wondering what's going on and why Elections are back so soon? This handy article will explain all things By-Elections!
The Union of Students will be holding an All Student Meeting on Wednesday 15th May from 2.00pm - 3:30pm and all students are invited to hear about and question the Union’s performance in the last academic year from its Trustee Board, plus propose new policies and vote on changes to the Union's Standing Orders.
Are you interested in sustainability? Would you like to gain skills that'll boost your CV? Well we've got just the opportunity for you! Apply now to be a Responsible Futures Student Auditor.
Voting for our annual referendum on the Union of Student’s affiliation with NUS UK closed this morning at 10.00am.
Brought to you by Advice, Destresstival week takes place on the week commencing 22nd April and is an opportunity for you to destress before the exam/assessment period.
The results were formally announced at the Election Results Night event on Wednesday 13th March in the...
As it’s the Union Elections season, candidates are stepping up to the plate, ready to vie for your vote and make their mark on campus. The Hustings, a pivotal event in the electoral process, serves as a platform for candidates to present their visions, answer pressing questions, and engage directly with the student body. Officer trustee candidates (President and the VPs) were posed with two questions each, whereas student officers received only one question each during the Hustings.
In order to help students who may be struggling, we've set up a Community Pantry to help support those in need.
The Scrutiny Panel is a meeting held by the Union of Students four times a year where your elected full time Executive Officers give updates on their progress within their roles and towards their personal statement aims to a panel made up of students with elected roles within the Union.
The University's Sports Therapy students and academic staff have re-opened their Sports Injury Clinic for semester two!
We recently had a photoshoot with our 2024 Varsity captains and caught up with them about their preparation for Varsity and what being this year's captain means to them. Keep an eye on our socials (@derbyunion on everything!) to see the snaps and also some extra behind the scenes videos.
As the nights get lighter and the weather gets warmer, you can treat yourself to a Spring time pick me up with Blends Spring Specials.
Your Union President, Dominic White, is holding an Elections drop in session to answer questions about the elections and offer some tips on writing personal statements.
We will soon be holding our annual referendum on our affiliation to NUS UK, which is written into our Standing Orders to occur each year during the elections period. We are looking for a campaign lead for both sides of the debate, as well as members of the campaign teams.
Every year we celebrate the success and achievements within the Union with three awards ceremonies – the Community Awards, the Sports Awards and the Education Awards.
Why not kickstart the new year with a new hobby? Did you know the Union has over 80 different clubs that you can join; from musical theatre to motorsport, eSports to equestrian, there’s something for everyone to get involved with!
Here's everything you need to know about our upcoming Extraordinary Scrutiny Panel on Thursday 25th January from 11:00am – 12:00pm.
Whilst Christmas is a time for celebrations, it can also be a tough time of the year for many people. Here are a few tips on how to combat loneliness at Christmas.
On Tuesday 28th November the Union held its first All Student Meeting, where a series of changes to the Union of Students were voted on by over 50 students.
Disability History Month is being celebrated from November 16th – December 16th 2023, and it’s something that everyone can get involved with. This year, the focus of DHM is “the Experience of Disablement amongst children and young people in the past, now and what is needed for the future.”.
It can be tricky finding where you belong when you’re thrown into a new setting like university; it’s the start of a lot of new beginnings and it can take a while to find your feet. A huge part of university life is getting involved in extracurricular activities, whether it’s trying a new sport, joining a society or getting involved in student elections.
In January, nominations open for the main elections where the student body will vote to elect the next group of Executive Officers, which includes Union President, Vice President (Welfare), Vice President (Education) and Vice President (Activities). This is an opportunity to have your say and decide who represents you.
If you don’t, fear not. Recycling in Derby is super simple.
We are deeply saddened by the devastating events and violence that is currently unfolding in the Middle East.
To frappe or not to frappe? That is the question.
Team Derby are delighted to announce that their Just Play social sport programme will restart w/c Monday 25th September.
So you're getting a free Freshers wristband, here's how to make the most of it!
We exist to represent you, provide you with lots of fun and exciting opportunities, and to make sure you have the best possible experience whilst studying at the University of Derby.
Many students are facing the challenge of a marking boycott.
Over the last two months, we have been busy celebrating student success.
The University is looking to offer additional financial support to International and European Union students.
We are currently going through a referendum for our affiliation with NUS UK
Inclusive Sports Fortnight has seen lots of student and staff taking part in para and inclusive sport, which for many is the first time!
Please be considerate of exam areas to avoid disturbing exams.
The Community Awards were a great celebration of our Societies, Student-Led Services, and Volunteering successes over the past year.
The menu features delicious basics, warming comfort food and moorish snack foods that you can eat with one hand - for when you're typing like mad to meet a deadline!
These workshops will look great on your CV!
We are looking for students to share their experiences, insight, and thoughts around equality of opportunity for underrepresented groups to access, succeed in and progress from higher education.
Reflecting on a successful competition season.
Inclusive Sport Fortnight is part of my Yes You Can campaign which aims to increase accessibility in sport and diversifying the offer.
Today we welcomed new and returning students at the Refreshers Fair.
Did you miss our elections event yesterday? Here's what you missed!
In response to the cost of living crisis, the University and College Union (UCU) have announced its plans to carry out a national strike for all academic staff on 24th, 25th and 30th of November.
Get involved in our Movember challenge!
The RAG committee are happy to announce that from week one Freshers we’ve been able to raise £397 for Macmillan Cancer Support.
We're here to support you to make the most of your first few weeks (and beyond!) on campus and can't wait to meet you!
A statement outlining the event being held by AFAF, why the University are allowing it to go ahead, and the support the Union and University provides.
We join the nation and the world in mourning the passing of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. Our thoughts are with the Royal Family at this time.
An update from the Vice President (Welfare), Jack McGuinness, on student safety, the community pantry and more.
Honorary Life Membership to the Union of Students is awarded to only four final year students each year who have really gone above and beyond.
VP (Welfare) Jack McGuinness here to give you some updates on the work that's been going on!
Jack McGuinness, Vice President (Welfare), is on a roadshow for student safety.
Hi everyone! Jack McGuinness, your Vice President (Welfare), here to give some updates on the work I’ve been doing around student safety and the plans I'm putting in place to improve student safety here in Derby.
The history of LGBT+ rights in the UK, shown through significant milestones and progress points.
Hi everyone! I wanted to share with you this great opportunity that all students can get involved with. The Derby Book Festival are looking for inspiring entries for their Flash Fiction Writing Competition - could you be the winner? Check out the press release below for more details on how to get involved!
Keeping everybody safe whilst at University.
With the year coming to an end, we wanted to leave you with one final message.
Disability History Month plays an important part in highlighting and remembering the people of the past, present and future who have disabilities.
Trans Day of Remembrance aims to honour and remember transgender individuals who have lost their lives in acts of anti-transgender violence.
Whether you’re a candidate or a voter, the elections are a great opportunity to get involved with the Union and have your say.
As we bid farewell to another year, I find myself reflecting on the multitude of successes and shared experiences that have defined our journey together thus far. Serving as your Union President has been both an honour and an immense responsibility, and I am extremely proud of the progress the Union has made so far since taking office as Union President.
Your Student Officer for Mental Health Awareness writes about Mental Health Awareness Day
I understand that running for the Elected officer roles can be a daunting experience.
The Vice President (Welfare), Jack McGuinness, here to give you an update on what I've been working on.
Last night, the Education Awards returned to the Museum of Making with a bang!
An overview of all the liberation months we will be focusing on this year and why they are important.
The Union of Students Education Awards are a fantastic celebration of all the hard work and dedication of our Student Reps and the inspirational staff at the University.
The campaigning has stopped, the votes have been cast, the virtual confetti canons have been… cannoned… and just like that - it’s all over for another year. The Union Elections 2021 was a spectacular display of committed candidates, fantastic and creative online campaigns and we can’t quite believe it’s all over.
A new term of BUCS Sport has started for our Derby teams!
When voting on the Student Officers you wish to be successful, you may notice that for every candidate you are voting for, there’s an option to vote for R.O.N…
I understand that coming to university can be a very daunting time. But it doesn't have to be, I've put together my top 15 tips and tricks to ease your transition into Derby University.
On Tuesday 28th February the Union had its Annual General Meeting, where a series of changes to the Union of Students were voted on by over 50 students.
Consider nominating yourself for one of our Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion Student Officer positions.
A key annual meeting that all students are invited to vote on proposed policy changes.
Over the past semester we have been hard at work excitedly putting together a fantastic show and we're so proud of what both the creative team and cast have accomplished in such a short time. We whole-heartedly encourage you to grab tickets whilst you can and enjoy the show.
Our voting system uses a Single Transferable Vote, which is a great way to make your vote count. In short, it means you can rank the list of candidates based on your order of election preference.
As the Women History Month comes to an end, I felt like there was the need to talk about a group of women who don’t always get the credit they deserve: those are the women in STEM.
We have now had the first Student Forum of the 22-23 academic year, hosted by the Union of Students and the University of Derby Online Learning team
Our latest weekly update aims to share with you the latest work of the Officer team to advocate for change and improvements to the student experience during this challenging period.
Our latest weekly update aims to share with you the latest work of the Officer team to advocate for change and improvements to the student experience during this current lockdown.
Derby University 3rds were victorious in a commanding 4-1 win against league rivals Leicester University 2nds.
And so the time has come for me to step down from this position, it has truly been an incredible experience.
Want to join a society but unsure of what a society's pass is?
On Thursday, June 30th, the Union of Students and University of Derby Online Learning (UDOL) hosted their final UDOL student forum of the 2021/22 academic year.
We hope the Government guidance gave a hope that there is in fact a way out of this lockdown and that soon, we may be able to return to some sense of normality, see loved ones, and begin the roadmap out of lockdown.
Welcome to this week’s instalment of keeping you as up to date as possible with all the great work we have going on over at the Union. We would like to thank everyone for continuing to observe the government guidance to keep yourselves, those around you and the wider University community as safe as possible. If you need any advice or are experiencing significant hardship at this time, our advice service remains ready to help in any way they can.
I am pleased to say that we have been able to make significant progress against some of the core areas that were outlined to us as student concerns. We have maintained our commitment to work collaboratively with the University and keep student voice at the heart of the conversation, at all levels across the institution.
We have been working collaboratively at all levels of the University to advocate your voice and the challenges that students are facing during these difficult times
It was a week of mixed results for our University of Derby sports teams, as the second week of BUCS got underway.
In the last few months, there has been an increase in staff strikes from different industries across the country, including the educational industry.
Sports Awards 2023 took place on Thursday 18th May at Pride Park.
Over this last year I’ve been able to meet lots of students and I'm often asked 'why is your skin RED some days and not the next?'
In light of the latest lockdown, the Union are working very closely with the University to work through some of the key areas of student concern. Please find below an outline of our conversations with the University to date, and the progress we hope to make in the coming weeks
BUCS was back in action this week as most of our teams took part in cup competitions, looking to make the later rounds.
Creating a new sport offering, focusing upon the social aspect and in turn improving our halls of residence offering, we are slowly but surely widening access to sport for all.
In yet another week of BUCS, the men’s football teams did us proud, while other sports teams struggled with mixed results across the board.
16 students took part in a Fish ‘n’ Picks event in collaboration with Down To Earth Derby.
Are you considering doing an industrial year and need help with the process? The careers service has just the right thing for you.
Be part of the change you want to see!
Have an interest in Sports or Societies?
Need some social media/marketing work experience?
... Check this out!
Find out what changes are being made to your Union of Students
UDo is your University of Derby student portal, hosting a range of information, advice and services to support you during your time at Derby and we'd like to know what you think.
For many, Black History Month is a time to reflect on the diverse histories of people of African and Caribbean descent, as well as to recognise their achievements and contributions to the UK's social, political, economic, and cultural development.
We need your help in choosing a movie for our Black History Month cinema night!
Snap Elections exist to fill the Student Officer roles that have been left vacant since the Student Officer Elections in March.
See our fabulous candidates here and how to vote ( and what you could win just for voting!)
Your Disability Officer is championing better access to learning resources for all students
Each year, the Union awards Honorary Life Membership to students who have gone the extra mile during their time at the University of Derby.
An introduction to your new Sustainability Officer.
In times like these its good to know what exists to support you, and your loved ones.
Congratulations to everyone that has been awarded an Honorary Life Membership!
As per our Standing Orders we are holding our annual referendum on the University of Derby Union of Student's affiliation to the NUS UK.
Excitement is building as we confirm the lineup for the Spring Term with thrilling netball, table tennis, football, and pool competitions already confirmed.
Find out what happens at our All Student Meeting, and how you can get involved!
The Snap Elections happen just after Freshers every year (when needed) to fill any vacant positions after Main Elections and By-Elections.
Are you aware of the wellbeing services available to you?
Many of you will have heard about the emergence of Generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools such as ChatGPT and the impact that this may your academic experience.
You have probably heard people using the word “neurodivergent” before or calling themselves “neurodivergent”, but what is it and what it’s like being neurodivergent?
Find out what we have planned between 13th-17th March for Go Green Week!
Being an Officer Trustee is not an easy job, but it is exciting for sure.
Take a trip to the LoveSHaC (Love Sexual Health and Consent).
A few helpful tips from your Student Office for Mature Students.
Throughout November and December, we will be fundraising for Umbrella as part of Disability History Month.
Education Council is a meeting held multiple times throughout the year with your elected student officers for education.
Who do you think has gone above and beyond this year and deserves Honorary Life Membership
See our tips for handling conflict in student housing to get the best out of the experience.
As your Union Advice team, we have compiled a list of top tips on how to save money whilst you're at university!
Our Snap Elections are now finished and we would like to thank all of the students who ran for positions, it has been great to see your hard work in campaigning and all of your determination.
Freshers wouldn't be Freshers without the support of our amazing partners and sponsors
Jack's final update as President and what happens next.
Exciting sports events and activities coming up this term: get ready for the fun!
We are currently recruiting students who are in their second year or above to be PAL Leaders
Joining a Whatsapp group with your course-mates can be a great way to make friends but remember to keep professional standards!
Find out more about the Officer Trustee positions!
22 Top Tips, Advice and Opportunities for Derby Freshers
Read your way through Black History Month with this selection of fiction & non-fiction books
Get summer ready with an action-packed term of fun and memories made! Try new sports such as ultimate frisbee and flag football, play weekly social sport, take part in our Inclusive Sports events or round off with our celebration of faiths ‘Spirit in Sport’ event. There’s something for everyone.
Since launching in 2015, the ground breaking This Girl Can campaign has positively tackled the gender activity gap, celebrating active women regardless of age, background or ability and helping change the way women think and feel about exercise.
It’s February, which means… Happy LGBTQ+ History Month!! Here’s just a quick guide to what this month is all about and why we celebrate it, hopefully answering some of your questions along the way!
Derby Men’s 3rds 2-0 Derby Men’s 4ths.
The Union elections are an amazing opportunity to use your voice and enact change within the Union and the University, so I wanted to share my top 5 reasons for why YOU should nominate yourself in the current Union elections.
Emily Brett’s stand-out performance allowed Derby University Women’s 1sts to breeze past Birmingham City 1sts in 13-0 win at Kedleston Road.
We've compiled a list of housing terminology to help you understand all of the terms you may come across when looking at accommodation.
In a world that often strives for inclusivity and diversity, it is important to shed light on the unique experiences and challenges faced by individuals with disabilities. Disability History Month serves as a poignant reminder of the journey towards equality and understanding.
Your VP (Welfare) here to give you an update on some of the work that myself and the rest of the Executive Officer team have been up to during November 2023.
We remember the lives lost for choosing to live freely, and we celebrate how far we’ve come today.
There were fewer fixtures than usual in this week of BUCS, however a good number of teams still played and here is how they got on…
University of Derby students can claim 10% off all Screamfest tickets this month, offering a frighteningly fun night out.
Wednesday marked the opening day of the BUCS season for our UoD sports teams, who looked to kickstart their campaigns positively.
If you’re nervous about starting uni, just remember you’re not on your own. We want to give you some tips and tricks for navigating a booze-free Freshers Fortnight.
Hey there Freshers! I am Gabby and I am the VP (Activities) for the academic year ahead. I was part of Women’s Rugby during my time at university and here are my reasons for why joining sports clubs or societies can be an absolute game changer for your university experience.
The third and final Online Student Forum of the 22-23 academic year was hosted by the Union of Students and the University of Derby Online Learning team.
What happened as Student Voice was unleashed on 25th April?
Phantom Radio raised over £700 through 24 Hours Live!
The second Online Student Forum of the 22-23 academic year was hosted by the Union of Students and the University of Derby Online Learning team.
As LGBTQ+ History Month is ending, it’s a great time to reflect on why this month is needed.
What are they and why should I get involved?
We raised over £2,500 for charity!
Votes have been counted, transfers transferred. Find out your new officer team for 2023/24 now!
Get involved in one of our brand new societies!
If you pay all inclusive bills on your rented property then you could be eligible!
It was a day of mixed emotions for the University of Derby sports teams, as many of our teams took part in cup competitions and sought to make the next round.
Welcome (back) to Derby! We hope your summer has been relaxing and/or productive.
After a very successful 24 hour voting window our Snap Elections are finished.
Your Union President on Student Safety
For my journey so far as the Sustainability Officer, I have started to move forward within my manifesto in the following key areas.
An invitation to attend a Service of Reflection on the eve of Her Late Majesty’s funeral at 1715 on Sunday 18th September
Starting uni is a big change, so myself and the team at the Union are here to welcome you, and help you settle in and make the most of your experience.
Callum’s advice for anyone who might be going through Clearing is not to be nervous, but completely open minded!
Help us to decide which films to screen during Freshers!
Find out more about Peer Assisted learning (PAL)
To celebrate Black History Month, the Afro-Caribbean Society have approved a selection of cookbooks.
The Union Activities Awards are a way to celebrate the fantastic achievements of all of our Sports clubs, Societies and Student-Led Services.
In May, the Climbing Club organised a charity climb 'Basecamp to Summit' to raise money for the Climbers Against Cancer charity.