University of Southampton Students' Union
Analysis
University of Southampton Students' Union is a registered charity in England and Wales, based in Southampton. It was registered in August 2012, 14 years ago. Its declared purposes cover education/training, arts/culture/heritage/science, amateur sport and economic/community development/employment, which this site groups under arts, culture, heritage and science. Legally it is a charitable company (Companies House number 08034371). It says it makes grants to organisations, provides other finance and provides human resources.
In the financial year ending July 2025, University of Southampton Students' Union reported income of £7.6m and spending of £7.7m, spending 101% of its income. Across the 5 years on record, from July 2021 to July 2025, income grew from £3.6m to £7.6m (+110%), an average of +20% a year. The sharpest change came in the year to July 2022, when income rose by 76%. Over the whole period it spent 99% of the income it received.
Among 17,634 England and Wales charities whose main cause is arts, culture, heritage and science and that reported income, University of Southampton Students' Union sits at the 99th percentile: it is larger than about 99% of them. Against every charity in England and Wales with reported income it ranks in the 99th percentile. Charities of a similar size with the same main cause include UK Storyhouse Limited (£7.6m), The Association for Cultural Exchange Limited (£7.6m) and Cheltenham Festivals (£7.5m).
In its latest detailed accounts, income came from donations and legacies 52%, charitable activities 45% and trading 1.6%. Charitable activities took 100% of spending and raising funds 0.0%. Reserves of £449k would cover about 1 months of spending at that rate. It employed 188 people.
Data notes from the register: Spending has exceeded income in each of the last three reported years, so the charity has been drawing on reserves or other funds.
Income and spending
Where the income comes from
- Donations 52%
- Charitable activities 45%
- Trading 1.6%
- Investments 0.1%
- Other 0.6%
In the charity's own words
Promoting the interests and welfare of members at the University of Southampton representing, supporting and advising members being the recognised representative channel between members and the University and others providing social, cultural, sporting activities and forums for discussions and debate for its members; involving members in their wider community and raising funds for other charities.
Similar-sized charities, same cause
| Charity | Location | Income |
|---|---|---|
| UK Storyhouse Limited | Chester | £7.6m |
| The Association for Cultural Exchange Limited | Cambridge | £7.6m |
| Cheltenham Festivals | Gloucestershire | £7.5m |
| Yorkshire Sculpture Park | Wakefield | £7.6m |