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UNIVERSITY FOR THE CREATIVE ARTS STUDENTS' UNION

Registered charity 1165619 · accounts filings on the Charity Commission register · also known as UCASU, UNIVERSITY FOR THE CREATIVE ARTS STUDENTS UNION

University for the Creative Arts Students' Union (UCASU) provides support, opportunities, and activities to students attending the University for the Creative Arts. UCASU promotes the interests and welfare of students and represents, supports and advises students. It is the recognised representative channel between students and the University.

Causes: Education/training · website · Get email alerts

Latest income
£847k
Latest spending
£829k
Registered
2016
Accounts read
FY2025

Financial health, per its FY2025 accounts

The accounts state that the charity recorded a net surplus of £17,199 for the year ended 31 July 2025, with total unrestricted reserves standing at £80,699. Per the trustees' report, these reserves remain below the Union's long-term target level, which is calculated as three months of income (£211,659). The Union remains dependent on the University for the Creative Arts for its primary block grant income, though the Trustees consider it reasonable to anticipate this support will continue.

Automated summary of the FY2025 accounts; the evidenced findings below carry the verbatim passages.

What the accounts disclose

Reserves position: below the charity's own stated reserves policy (held: £81k; policy: three months of income)
“While the Union remains below this indicative reserves level, the Trustees will continue to monitor reserves closely” — page 10
Per its FY2025 accounts as filed with the Charity Commission.
Audit opinion: qualified
“We believe that the audit evidence we have obtained is sufficient and appropriate to provide a basis for our qualified opinion.”
Per its FY2025 accounts as filed with the Charity Commission.

Accounts audited by Knox Cropper LLP. Discloses 5 of 6 completeness components.

Structured financials (annual return, FY ending 31/07/2025)

Total income
£847k
Total spending
£829k
Reserves (reported)
£81k
Employees
16

Reported reserves equal ~1.2 months of spending — in the bottom quarter for charities its size (median 5.2 months; benchmarks).

Trustees · trustee networks

Trustee list from the Charity Commission register (current, not historical).

Operates in: Kent · Surrey

Income and spending

Financial year endIncomeSpending
31/07/2025£847k£829k
31/07/2024£782k£777k
31/07/2023£702k£725k
31/07/2022£698k£728k
31/07/2021£442k£433k

Common questions

Is UNIVERSITY FOR THE CREATIVE ARTS STUDENTS' UNION financially healthy?

Per its FY2025 accounts: The accounts state that the charity recorded a net surplus of £17,199 for the year ended 31 July 2025, with total unrestricted reserves standing at £80,699. Per the trustees' report, these reserves remain below the Union's long-term target level, which is calculated as three months of income (£211,659). The Union remains dependent on the University for the Creative Arts for its primary block grant income, though the Trustees consider it reasonable to anticipate this support will continue. Its FY2025 accounts were audited by Knox Cropper LLP.