Student Life
Arts University Plymouth Students' Union (AUP:SU) aims to represent, campaign and provide services for you in every aspect of your university life, from academic and social, to welfare and personal support. The purpose of a Students’ Union is to make sure that your voice is listened to and that you’re having the best possible experience during your time here. The SU team is here to enrich your student experience, from wellbeing and personal support to social events and your academic voice.
<p dir="ltr">The Union provides constructive and effective representation, high-quality services and exciting opportunities including art-related events and networking opportunities.</p>
<p dir="ltr">AUP:SU supports a number of student-led clubs and societies that students can join, meet like-minded people, host events, talks and more. The SU also organises events and trips for students to attend and annually elects a Student Union President to represent the student body.</p>
<p dir="ltr">Clubs and Societies are entirely student-led, but these are supported with advertising and occasionally funding from the Students' Union. Being a part of specialist clubs and societies are an important part of student life. From joining an active group like Rock Climbing Club to trying out new creative endeavours with Crochet Society, the societies are open to all students and give you the chance to make friends, volunteer, learn something new and keep fit. As these groups are led by students, they vary year to year, so please check out the <a href="https://www.artsuniplymsu.co.uk/societies" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Clubs and Societies page on the SU website</a> for the latest information, including the sign-up form (please note, you cannot sign up until you are enrolled here). Previous societies have included: LGBTQ+, the Crochet Society, Dungeons and Dragons, Upcycling Fashion, Witchcraft, Zine Society and many more, there’s a group for everyone at Arts University Plymouth.</p>
<p dir="ltr">If you would like to set up your own club or society, please email <a href="mailto:studentsunion@aup.ac.uk">studentsunion@aup.ac.uk</a> with more information. Please note only current enrolled students can create new groups or join existing ones.<br /></p>
<p dir="ltr">AUP:SU kicks off the year with Freshers! It simultaneously introduces you to the city, helps you settle into Plymouth and university life and is a great way to meet new people and make new friends. Previous Freshers events included: Welcome Mixers for international, mature and LGBTQ+ students, Pop Up Shops with local businesses such as Nook Houseplants, trips to local attractions like The Box, The National Marine Aquarium and Eden Project Trip, Tie-Dye Lunches, Drink and Draw evenings, tours of the city and Merch Shops.<br /></p>
<p dir="ltr">AUP:SU also holds events, fairs and activities throughout the year, so you’ll meet a great mix of people you’ll regularly see in the corridors. There’s everything from Student Work Fairs and easter egg hunts to cultural celebrations and LGBT History Month events. The Union works hard to make all their events as inclusive as possible so there are specific events for LGBTQ+ students, International students, and mature students and more to help you get to know your new home.<br /></p>
<p dir="ltr">The Students’ Union at Arts University Plymouth was created in response to the voice of the student body. The Students’ Union during the day is a relaxed place to join in with Clubs and Societies activities or get on with some work, and often in the evening you can grab a drink at the SU Bar. Located right next to the SU Office, it’s a great place to relax and hang out with your friends.</p>
<p dir="ltr">The space is available for students to book out and host their own events for fundraising, meet-ups or societies completely free of charge. It is also an area for students to display their work on the Student Artwork Wall and grab some discount vouchers or magazines. This is a space that our students can call their own and have creative control over.</p>
<p dir="ltr">The Students’ Union also manages the Quiet Contemplation Room, which is a space designed for mental wellbeing and prayer. Complete with bibles, a prayer mat, colouring pages and more - this space is perfect for students who need a time out from social events or wish to practise their religion privately.<br /></p>
<p dir="ltr">The AUP:SU also provides a number of crucial services to students, supporting your personal and physical wellbeing as you study at Arts University Plymouth. They <a href="https://www.artsuniplymsu.co.uk/studentunionfoodbank">run the Student Union Food Bank</a>, <a href="https://www.artsuniplymsu.co.uk/sexualhealth">provide free condoms</a>, and <a href="https://www.artsuniplymsu.co.uk/periodpovertyproject">run the Period Poverty Project, </a>which stocks every toilet with FREE period products (including sustainable options), among other support and services. The AUP:SU team is the perfect port of call for anyone who needs a friendly face to chat with about their uni experience. <a href="https://www.artsuniplymsu.co.uk/">Check out the Students’ Union website for more information</a> about the services and information they provide for students. <br /></p>
<p dir="ltr">All positions for our Students' Union are voluntary posts, except for our Student President and Student Governor role. Elections for the Student Union Executive Committee happen once a year at the end of October and offer you a fantastic opportunity to really make a difference; here at AUP:SU the elections give any student the chance to become part of the Union team, including as Sustainability Representative, Events or Societies Lead and Equality and Diversity Representative.</p>
<p dir="ltr">Both the university and the Students' Union place great value on the work of the Student Union Executive Committee, as well as Student Representatives (who support Student Voice at a course level). These students help to enhance your university experience by making your voices heard.<br /></p>
<p dir="ltr">There are plenty of ways to save money as a student, either by signing up for free services like <a href="https://www.myunidays.com/GB/en-GB/content/about">Unidays</a>, or by buying a <a href="https://cards.totum.com/">TOTUM</a> card.</p>
<p dir="ltr">TOTUM is the new name for NUS Extra, a discount card for staff and students in education providing over 200 offers. TOTUM also offers an exclusive 10% off at the Co-op, so it's ideal for all of you who rely on their meal deals to get your through the week! You can find all of the offers <a href="https://www.totum.com/se/student-discount/cat">here</a>.</p>
<p dir="ltr"> <a href="https://cards.totum.com/">Get your TOTUM card now.</a> You can choose from a range of cards that last either one, two or three years.</p>
<p dir="ltr">Many discounts are online only, so you can’t get them without your TOTUM card, giving you discounts on the brands you love and local independents, including</p><ul><li dir="ltr"><p dir="ltr">10% off at the Co-op</p></li><li dir="ltr"><p dir="ltr">10% off ASOS</p></li><li dir="ltr"><p dir="ltr">25% off Odeon student priced tickets</p></li><li dir="ltr"><p dir="ltr">Up to 40% off at Las Iguanas</p></li><li dir="ltr"><p dir="ltr">42,000 International Discounts</p></li></ul><p dir="ltr">Where can I get my TOTUM Card?</p>
<p><a href="https://cards.totum.com/">Buy yours online on the NUS website</a>.</p>
Harriet Moore
Student Union Manager
Harriet Moore (She/Her) graduated from Arts University Plymouth with a BA (Hons) in Photography, in 2020. She worked as part of the Student Union Executive Committee as Marketing and Enterprise Lead for two years and as an Arts University Plymouth Student Ambassador for three years, before being elected Student Union President and Student Governor for 2020/21 and 2021/22.
Harriet is now the Student Union Manager, meaning she is in charge of everything 'behind-the-scenes' within the Students' Union, such as staffing, finances and communications. She is incredibly passionate about the work she does, helping to create positive change in all aspects of student life at the university.
Beth Evans
Student Union President
<p>Follow us on <a href="https://www.facebook.com/ArtsUniPlymSU" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Facebook</a> and <a href="https://www.instagram.com/artsuniplymsu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Instagram</a>.</p>
<p>Arts University Plymouth<br />Tavistock Place<br />Plymouth<br />Devon<br />PL4 8AT</p>
<p>Telephone: +441752 203443</p>
<p>Email: <a href="mailto:studentsunion@aup.ac.uk">studentsunion@aup.ac.uk</a></p>
<p><a href="http://artsuniplymsu.co.uk" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Visit AUP:SU online.</a></p>
