UHI Students deserve better representation.
HISA is currently affiliated with the National Union of Students (NUS), a national organisation representing student unions across the UK. Through this membership, HISA has access to NUS events, training opportunities, national campaigns, and participation in elections for national leadership positions. While these opportunities can offer some benefits, they come at a significant and increasing cost.
HISA currently pays £22,228.55 annually for NUS membership. This includes £17,782.84 for NUS UK and £4,445.71 for NUS Charity. At a time when HISA is facing sustained financial pressure due to years of frozen block grant funding—effectively a real-terms cut when inflation is considered, this level of expenditure is becoming increasingly difficult to justify. The cost of this membership is nearly equivalent to employing a Full-Time Officer (FTO), a role that could directly support students on the ground. Instead, this funding is being directed toward a national body where the tangible benefits to our students are limited.
These financial pressures are already having a real impact. HISA is being forced to review spending across staffing, officer roles, and services, and there are growing concerns about our ability to deliver the student experience that UHI students deserve. In this context, every pound must be carefully considered, and investments must deliver clear, meaningful value to our students.
Beyond the financial considerations, there is a deeper issue of representation. The Highlands and Islands is one of the most geographically unique and dispersed student communities in the UK. However, this reality is not adequately reflected within NUS structures or decision-making processes. National priorities are often shaped by larger, more centralised institutions, leaving rural and island communities without a strong or consistent voice. As a result, the specific challenges faced by UHI students, such as long travel distances, limited and costly transport links, and unreliable digital connectivity, are frequently overlooked or underrepresented.
There is also a growing perception that NUS has become increasingly disconnected from the core priorities of students. Student unions have traditionally been rooted in addressing the everyday issues that directly affect students, such as the quality of education, access to support services, and the rising cost of living. However, NUS has increasingly focused on broader political issues which, while important, can feel distant from the day-to-day realities of students in the Highlands and Islands. This shift has contributed to a sense that the organisation is no longer fully aligned with the needs and priorities of its members.
Concerns have also been raised around governance, transparency, and accountability within NUS. Questions remain about whether student unions like HISA are receiving sufficient value for the level of financial contribution required, and whether the organisation is responsive enough to the concerns of its diverse membership.
Disaffiliating from NUS would allow HISA to take greater control over its priorities, resources, and representation. It would create an opportunity to develop a model that is firmly rooted in the needs of UHI students, one that focuses on practical outcomes, local impact, and meaningful engagement. Rather than contributing to a national structure that does not fully reflect our context, HISA could redirect resources into initiatives that directly improve the student experience across the Highlands and Islands.
Importantly, leaving NUS would not mean a reduction in support for students. HISA would continue to provide advice, representation, campaigns, and services as normal. In fact, disaffiliation would enable greater investment in these areas. Funding currently allocated to NUS membership could be reinvested into enhancing support services, expanding opportunities for student engagement, and addressing the specific challenges faced by students across UHI’s diverse campuses and communities. HISA would also continue to represent students at institutional, regional, and national levels. Disaffiliation does not mean isolation, it creates space to build alternative partnerships and networks that are more relevant, flexible, and responsive to our needs.
Ultimately, this is about ensuring that HISA’s resources are used in the most effective way possible. The current cost of NUS membership represents a significant financial commitment that is not delivering proportional value for our students. At a time when difficult decisions must be made, it is essential to prioritise spending that has a direct and meaningful impact.
Leaving NUS offers a clear opportunity to reinvest in our students, strengthen local representation, and build a more focused and effective approach to advocacy, one that truly reflects the lived experiences of students in the Highlands and Islands.
Holly Pearce - Yes Lead Campaigner