Durham Students' Union

Your Durham Students’ Union (DSU) supports over 150 different societies and clubs, which are as varied as the Chocolate Society, the Freefall Society and the Eurovision Society as well as the more regular clubs and societies in sports, music, theatre, outreach and voluntary work. And if there isn't something that you're interested in then you can always start a new society!

Durham Students' Union (DSU) is the University's central Student Union under the 1994 Education Act and is the representative body for all the students of the University.

All students are automatically a member of DSU unless they choose to opt out of Union membership. Opting out is a right which all students have under the 1994 Education Act and students who exercise this right should not be unfairly disadvantaged with regard to the provision of services or otherwise by reason of their having opted out. Information about the implications of opting out and the process to follow is available on the DSU website.

The Students' Union has a dedicated advice centre that offers free advice on finance and student funding, academic, personal and employment issues, and which is a useful initial contact for legal advice. DSU also has an education and welfare officer, and your college will always be on hand to offer support and advice.

Welfare campaigns throughout the year work to highlight issues that can affect you. Our recent high profile campaign on higher education funding received national press coverage, illustrating the dedicated nature of our officers. We provide integral services which are free to use and play a key role in the University's support network. They include:

• Advice Centre based in Durham City which offer you independent advice from fully trained advisors on issues as varied as student finance and academic appeals. At Queen's Campus, college officers can provide you with advice and guidance.
• Accommodation Office based in Durham City, and dedicated accommodation officers at Queen's Campus, which check contracts for livers out, accredits houses which adhere to the union approved Code of Standards for landlords, and ensures when you live out of college your accommodation is of a high quality.
• Nightbus operating in Durham City seven days a week. This is much cheaper than a taxi and better than walking home in the cold. To arrange a lift just call the driver and meet them at one of the pick-up points.