Welcome to NUS-USI
!!competition!! - open your mind mobile web app
have a look at the information flyer
the winning app will have some design support before going live and those students who chose to submit an app will have the opportunity to be mentored by local technology company, Kainos, take part in a masterclass.
PRESENT THE PERFECT pitch
pass on to all business/marketing students who fancy their chances at being crowned The pitch champions 2012 and being awarded a year's affiliate membership of the Chartered institute of marketing. the deadline has been extend until the end of january.
See attached press release and flyer.
NUSUSI Supports Public Sector Strike
Today NUS-USI joined the crowds of picketing public sector workers who downed tools at midnight for the mass 30th November strike. The student leaders will leave Queen’s University and gather at Belfast City Hall with the thousands of disillusioned workers whose pensions are under threat.
President of NUS-USI Adrianne Peltz said:
"Whilst we realise today’s actions will have an impact on students and may cause inconvenience, nevertheless it is imperative that we stand shoulder to shoulder with lecturers and college staff whose future livelihood is at risk under these Tory tactics.”
“With three out of four graduates in Northern Ireland entering the public sector, and those under 31 being most fiercely affected, it is our duty to protect the best interests of our students against these callous measures."
FOR ADVICE AND GUIDANCE ON TODAY'S STRIKE CLICK HERE http://www.nusconnect.org.uk/resources/nususi/NUSUSI-Advice-and-Guidance-for-Strike/
Defend EMA campaign launches
NUS-USI, the union for over 200,000 students in Northern Ireland, has launched the Defend EMA campaign.
Defend EMA seeks to build a coalition of further and higher education students and supporters to ensure that the most disadvantaged continue to receive support to stay in education past the age of 16.
NUS-USI believes that the EMA is a sound investment of public funds, ensuring that those students who are at the highest risk of ending up in the dole queue have the opportunity to reach their potential by staying in education.
The EMA provides much-needed cash for those students from the most deprived backgrounds to enable them to stay in school or college beyond the age of 16. EMA pays for travel, for lunch and for books and materials. It enables those students to work fewer hours in part-time jobs, allowing them to focus on their studies.
It is crucial that students have their say as EMA comes under review in Northern Ireland during 2012. The Defend EMA campaign will ensure the student voice is heard through conducting independent research, keeping students and the public up to date on political developments and coordinating actions to ensure that Assembly members are made fully aware of the importance of EMA.
Adrianne Peltz, President of NUS-USI, said, ‘EMA ensures the most disadvantaged have an equal chance at education. I urge students, parents, the public and Assembly members to support the NUS-USI Defend EMA campaign.’
To be kept up to date with developments as the EMA review process goes forward register with the Defend EMA campaign.
Campaign timeline
November – December 2011: independent research phase
December 2011 – January 2012: expected government consultation into EMA
January 2012: NUS-USI recommendations published
February – August 2012: Direct lobbying of MLAs and student activism
September 2012: Expected executive vote on EMA
Joins us on Facebook - http://www.facebook.com/
Juggling bills can be difficult for us all, especially when you are relatively new to dealing with them. So how do you handle them? Are you one of those people who leaves it until the last minute, or do you pay them as soon as they come in?
TV Licensing in association with the National Union of Students (NUS) would like to know how you approach your bills at university.
Click here https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/KW2JMWG to take part in the survey.The results of this anonymous survey will be published within the next month.
When do I need a TV Licence?
For TVL Student Information Leaflet please click here!!
A licence is needed if you are watching or recording television programmes at the same time as they are being shown on TV. This is true no matter what device you’re watching on (including TV sets, laptops, mobile phones) and no matter how you’re receiving the programmes (including terrestrial, satellite, cable or digital television channels). Anyone without a valid TV Licence who watches or records television programmes as described above risks prosecution and a fine of up to £1,000.
For more information check out www.tvlicensing.co.uk/studentinfo
Youth Health Advice Service
Youth Health Advice Service is a new service for Southern Regional College and South West Regional College.
For advice service times and venues, click here
For more information contact:
Oonagh Curran - Youth Heath Services Nurse, SHSCT
Tel: 028 3741 2891 Email: oonagh.curran@southerntrust.hscni.net
Sarah Maguire - Youth Health Services Nurse, WHSCT
Tel: 028 3833 4522 Email: (Enniskillen Campus only)
The Software Testers Academy
The Software Testers Academy is a training programme which aims to give graduates the skills to compete for new job opportunities within the IT sector. More information can be found at http://www.nidirect.gov.uk/softwaretesters
‘Cash-back’ for students with TV Licensing refund
TV Licensing is reminding students in Northern Ireland moving back home for the summer holidays that they could be eligible for a refund of around £37 on the final quarter of their annual TV Licence.
Many students moving back home for the summer from halls of residence or shared flats and houses will no longer need their TV Licence over the holidays. If so, and there are three full calendar months before the licence expires, they are entitled to a refund for the unused quarter.
Students need to ensure they buy a TV Licence early on, by the end of September/ early October, in order to allow enough time at the end of the academic year to qualify for a refund. A colour TV Licence bought in October 2010 cost £145.50 so the refund is around £37.
You need a TV Licence to watch or record programmes at the same time as they are shown on TV, whether you are watching on TV sets, or other devices including laptops.
Nearly a quarter of students surveyed (23 per cent) watch live TV online, according to research conducted on behalf of TV Licensing*. The survey also showed ownership of computers is generally much higher than TVs among students. Seventy-six per cent of students living in rented property have a TV, compared to 27 per cent in halls of residence. However, 100 per cent of students in rented accommodation have a laptop or PC, as do ninety-nine per cent of students living in halls of residence, suggesting that more are watching TV through this medium.
Deborah King of TV Licensing Northern Ireland, said:
“We know for students managing tight budgets every little helps, so we want to ensure those who are eligible know to claim the TV Licence refund. It could help by easing the burden of end-of-term household bills, or just by putting a little cash back in pockets.”
Students who wish to arrange a refund or who need further information, simply need to complete an online form at www.tvlicensing.co.uk/studentinfo or call TV Licensing on 0300 790 6090. Ciarnan Helferty, President National Union of Students-Union of Students in Ireland (NUS-USI) added: “The TV Licence refund offers students a great opportunity to save some cash, which will be particularly welcome in the current economic climate. We are glad TV Licensing continues to raise awareness about television licensing requirements among students, particularly around watching TV online where there can sometimes be confusion over when a licence is required. Students need to be aware of the law, so they avoid risking a prosecution and a fine of up to £1,000.”
New Regional Executive elected for 2011-2012
President - Adrianne Peltz
Deputy President - Justyn Mackay
Equality Officer - Samantha Tan
Interested in becoming a student member of an Institutional review team?
QAA wish to invite students, sabbaticals officers or former students and elected student representatives to apply for institutional review teams from September 2011. Nominations forms can be downloaded from: www.qaa.ac.uk/aboutus/appointments
Anyone interested in applying should read the complete information provided.
Students reject revised fees report conclusions
The National Union of Students – Union of Students in Ireland (NUS-USI) has today rejected the conclusions of the revised report into student fees and higher education funding in Northern Ireland.
NUS-USI President, Ciarnan Helferty said: ‘If the Department and the Minister accept this revised report they will have failed students and families in Northern Ireland. Devolution is about finding local solutions to local problems; The Scottish and Welsh governments have been able to protect their students and yet the DEL Minister seems unable or unwilling to do the same. The question that students and their families are asking today is when will devolution in NI start to work for them?’
NUS-USI attend SDLP Conference
Gail ferguson, director nus-usi meets sdlp leader margaret ritchie
representatives from NUS-USI met elected representatives and party members at the SDLP Conference in the Ramada Hotel. It was a great opportunity for us to raise the issues of higher education funding and our student complaints campaign.
Conference tabled motions supporting NUS-USI’s position
Conference, in condemnation of the Russell Group of universities, calls on the SDLP Westminster team to push for a legislative revision of the Student Loan Repayment Scheme, whereby the repayment threshold for student loans increases with inflation. sDLP Youth
SDLP calls on the British Government to abolish tuition fees for students. Assembly Parliamentary Group
SDLP calls on the Executive to increase MASN cap to the point where the number of places equals the number of university students from Northern Ireland. Assembly Parliamentary Group
Peter Quinn, education/public affairs officer nus-usi meets sdlp mp alasdair mcdonnell
Students warn Empey: do not betray students with plot to double tuition fees
In opposition to increased student fees, from left to right - Ciarnan Helferty, NUS-USI President; Adrian Kelly, UUSU President; Pat Ramsay MLA and Gareth McGreevy, QUBSU
Download here information on student finance and the release of the Browne Review and the Stuart Review
NUS-USI Briefing - NI Political Parties Responses to Browne Review
NUS-USI Briefing - Press Coverage
NUS-USI Briefing on Stuart Review
NUS-USI Briefing on Browne Review
NUS-USI Briefing - Browne Review/Stuart Review Comparison
NUS-USI Briefing - Student Loans in NI 2009/10
Ministerial Statement by Sir Reg Empey
Independent Review of Variable Fees and Student Finance Arrangements (Stuart Report)
NUS-USI is an organization formed by the National Union of Students UK (NUSUK) and the Union of Students in Ireland (USI). We provide representation and support to students throughout their time at University or College here in Northern Ireland. We represent all students in both the Higher Education and Further Education Sector. NUS-USI is the voice of almost 200,000 students in Northern Ireland!
Every year, students are faced with more and more problems. This year the major issue is Variable Fees. Students are now faced with a massive debt when they leave University. NUS-USI will continue to fight for a better deal for our Students. NUS-USI will also be working closely with the FE colleges to support them during and after the FE merger.
NUS-USI works on a number of different areas including student safety and welfare. We also fight for decent affordable accommodation for all students, good community relations and provide training and development for Students Unions... just to mention a few!
As a student, you now have the opportunity to purchase the NUS Extra Card. This card is giving Students Extra Discounts in over 90 stores including Amazon, Ticket Master and many more. See your Student Union Office for more details. This is the MUST have Card this year.
NUS-USI has been helping students' unions with elections this year for the union executive and student governor positions. An individual student from your college is elected each year by fellow students to sit on the Governing Body - the senior decision making body for your college. If you are interested in getting involved and running for a position, check our website, your local SU or contact NUS-USI for further information.
Students and Benefits 2010-2011
The launch of the Students and Benefits Booklet, produced by the Law Centre NI in conjunction with NUS-USI, has taken place.
Click here to read the press release
Click here to download the Students and Benefits Booklet
 | NUS-USI supports votes at 16 Posted: Tuesday June 10th 2008 |
| NUS-USI supports votes at 16 Posted: Tuesday June 10th 2008 |
 | LGBT Blood Donation Campaign Posted: Thursday May 8th 2008 Students from campuses throughout Northern Ireland will be campaigning today (8 May) for the National Union of Students – Union of Students in Ireland Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (NUS-USI LGBT) day of action. [ Read More ] |