NUS was founded in 1922, as part of a general desire for peace after the First World War. Ivison Macadam, its first president, was an ex-serviceman, whose experiences had given him an international outlook.

For over 90 years, NUS has worked tirelessly on behalf of students and students’ unions. Our campaigning work has resulted in many positive changes within higher and further education, improving the lives of thousands of students

NUS has a proud heritage of making students’ lives better. While the challenges and obstacles it has faced over the years have shifted momentously, the organisation’s core mission and values have remained very much the same: to promote, defend and extend the rights of students.

You'll find more about our history under the 'Our story' menu to the left.