The University and the students' union

Roles and Responsibilities

The Education Act 1994 places responsibilities on the University's governing body in respect of student unions. Following changes in 2019-20, there is now one students' union recognised by the University, with which the University Council maintains a working relationship, and for which it provides financial and other support:

The formal aspects of this relationship are managed and overseen on behalf of the Council by its Committee for the Supervision of the Student Union. (Please note that separate arrangements exist within individual Colleges between the governing body and its JCR/MCR.)

Various regulations are set out in the University's Statutes and Ordinances governing the University's relationship to, and the conduct of, the union. These are published at:

Code of Practice

As required by the Education Act 1994, the Council has issued a 'Code of Practice in Respect of Student Unions Issued under Section 22 of the Education Act 1994'. This is published in the University's Statutes and Ordinances.

Opting Out of Union Membership

Information on opting out of Union membership is contained in Regulation 9 (entitled 'Resignation') of the Ordinance for the Union in the Statutes and Ordinances, and in paragraph 3(c) of the 'Code of Practice in Respect of Student Unions Issued under Section 22 of the Education Act 1994'.

The form to be used to exercise this right is here:

Student Unions and Charity Law

All student unions are affected by the law relating to charities, and their expenditure and activities must conform to the requirements of charity law, in essence by being non-political and broadly educational.

Freedom of Speech

As required by the Education Act (No 2) Act 1986, the Council also has issued a University Code of Practice on Freedom of Speech, which contains information on various issues including the organisation of meetings and freedom of speech. This is published on this website:

This Code of Practice is cross-referenced in the 'Code of Practice in Respect of Student Unions Issued under Section 22 of the Education Act 1994'. Further information on organising meetings and public gatherings is published on the website of the Proctors' Office:



Last updated: April 2025