The home for student opportunities
 
framework-whiteout.png
 
 
 

The Student Opportunities Framework is here to help your students’ union grow.

It has been designed as a development tool for students’ unions, inviting you and the team to reflect with us, step out of the day to day and look toward the bigger picture. 

We provide an in-depth review of your current Student Opportunities service and give you a detailed picture of what you’re doing really well and where you could still do more; offering support, advice and recommendations.  

watering (2)@3x.png
 

We gather as much relevant information as possible; reviewing documents, your online presence, in person meetings, focus groups and surveys.

We measure our findings on a traffic light system against more than 50 criteria in 9 different themes. The dashboard view provides instant insight while the detailed analysis and recommendations are presented clearly, allowing you to make impactful actions and plan for the future.  

greenscreen.png
 

The Framework’s Categories

There are nine areas within the Student Opportunities Framework all created to steer you towards the best service you can offer. Covering everything that’s needed for your Student Opportunities service to run legally, efficiently and follow best practice from students' unions and the voluntary sector.

 
 

Operations & Governance

Risk management is embedded across all Opportunities  

Your Opportunities function efficiently  

The Students’ Union governance covers Student Opportunities and works with the processes and policies  

Data is stored in compliance with GDPR  

Student media and fundraising are compliant with charity and media law  

Student Leadership & Democracy

Students shape and lead their Student Opportunities  

Your Opportunities are fair and democratic  

Student Opportunities are important to your sabbatical officers and staff team  

Student Development 

Students grow and learn through their involvement in Opportunities  

Student leaders are given appropriate training for their roles 

People 

Staff can develop and grow and are able to do their jobs well 

Volunteers are supported effectively  

There is a positive culture for staff and volunteers  

Equality, Diversity & Inclusion

Student Opportunities include a diverse range of people  

Student Opportunities are accessible and inclusive  

Collaboration & Partnership 

The institution and the students’ union have a positive partnership  

Where the students’ union works with external partners, there are quality control measures in place 

Engagement & Participation 

A high percentage of students are able to engage with Student Opportunities 

The students’ union constantly works on removing and reducing barriers to engagement  

Students have different ways to feedback about Opportunities  

Impact & Strategy

Student Opportunities are designed around impact  

There is a strategy for Student Opportunities  

Staff are confident making change and innovating  

Specialisms

We look at these areas too if you support them:

  • Student media

  • Student fundraising

  • Sport

 
 

How was the Student Opportunities Framework developed?

When selecting the criteria for the Student Opportunities Framework we have drawn from best practice across the voluntary, fundraising and media sectors. We explored existing frameworks, looked toward current developments tools and the latest research.

We then translated what all that actually means to the day job of delivering outstanding student opportunities. 

OBJECTS (2).png

To ensure that the Student Opportunities Framework is complementary to existing standards and codes we have been sure to work alongside the following:  

NUS Quality Students’ Unions

#iwill Campaign Principles for Quality Social Action 

Advice Quality Standard 

Investors in Volunteering

Investors in People

NUS Governance Code 

NUS and Universities UK Barriers Report 

Student Fundraising Guide

Student Media Guide 

 
greenscreen.png
 

Sound good?

Drop us a line to learn more