Campus life is not just about the classroom - we offer opportunities to socialise with your peers, engage with volunteering, take part in physical activities or even just have a quiet talk with someone.
Campus Life
Students' Union
Hello and welcome to University of Cumbria Students’ Union (UCSU), a student-led charity representing and supporting the students at the University of Cumbria.
UCSU is independent of the university, but as soon as you start at Cumbria you automatically become a member of UCSU. It's also affiliated to the National Union of Students (NUS).
UCSU is led by a team of elected officers who represent your views to the university.
The services and opportunities provided by UCSU are open to all students regardless of location and course. We're here to help you get the most out of your university experience!
Stay connected
Got a question about student life at Cumbria? Don't hesitate to get in touch!
Email: students.union@cumbria.ac.uk
Phone: 01524 590810
Website: www.ucsu.me
Get involved with your SU
Student groups
Groups are the classic university experience. From sports teams and societies, to fundraising with RAG (Raising and Giving) society, there’s plenty of opportunity to try new things and discover what you love. UCSU can support you to set up your own group or to get involved with an existing group! Check out current groups at www.ucsu.me/groups
Student academic reps
Around 500 student academic reps work with UCSU and the university every year. Reps care about your course, your studies and the views of students in your group. They feedback these views to tutors and work with them to improve your course. Find out more at www.ucsu.me/reps
Volunteering
Meet new people, develop skills, make an impact and have fun! From one-day projects to volunteering more regularly with local charitable partner organisations, there’s something for everyone. Registering as a volunteer on our website opens up a whole host of opportunities to get involved in. Find out more at www.ucsu.me/volunteering
The panel, your ideas and elections
The panel is made up of 27 elected student representatives who each stand for different groups of students. One of the panel positions is a dedicated postgraduate representative; however, you can stand for any of the positions. The panel discuss the issues that matter to you. You can submit ideas to the panel at www.ucsu.me/yourideas to help improve your university experience.
You can also stand for election to lead UCSU as a full-time paid officer or volunteer trustee – opportunities which are open to all students. For more information visit www.ucsu.me/yourvoice
Student Support
Sometimes things don’t always go to plan. UCSU offers a free, one-to-one, impartial and confidential service and is here for you during your time as a student at the University of Cumbria. Whatever your academic, welfare or student life issue is, the support team will listen.
NUS Extra - student discounts
NUS Extra is the #1 student discount card, bringing you over 200 UK student discounts. Buy your card online and start saving straight away! Visit www.nus.org.uk
Sports Facilities
Our sports centres at Lancaster and Carlisle offer great facilities and great value for money with our students receiving discounted rates.
Chaplaincy
Having a Church of England Foundation, the University of Cumbria regards spiritual development as one of its key values.
The chaplaincy team are here to express that value by helping you discover what it means to live life in all its fullness during your time at university.
We are here to offer encouragement and support whenever you need it, to help you to enjoy community life within the university and to create opportunities for you to explore faith, meaning and spirituality in whatever way is important to you.
Alongside our Christian chaplains, the team is enriched by two honorary Muslim chaplains who actively support our Muslim students and staff. We are also able to put you in contact with support from your own faith tradition if there isn’t a chaplain immediately available on one of our campuses.
We manage prayer rooms and quiet spaces on all of our campuses to enable you to take time out of a busy day to pray, think or reflect. We run events during Welcome Week and throughout the year, quite often involving cake! We are available to all students and staff for a chat and a cup of tea, whether you are a person of faith or not.
We also advise the university on all aspects of faith provision, ensuring that peoples spiritual lives (of whatever kind) are respected and valued.
You may come across us leading discussions about the importance of spirituality and pastoral care on many of our professional courses.
Finding your way around your campus
Maps are available to help you find your way around campus: