THE OPEN UNIVERSITY STUDENTS ASSOCIATION
The Students Association provides support and services to students of the Open University, typical of a Students Union. This includes:i) listening to students and representing their voice and collective interests;ii) engaging students in a vibrant and active community, creating new opportunities; iii) enhancing the student experience and contributing to student success.
Financial health, per its FY2025 accounts
The accounts state that the charity reported a net operating deficit of £69,193 for the year ended 31 July 2025, primarily due to increased expenditure on technology and staff restructuring. However, the charity maintains strong liquidity with total unrestricted funds of £1,971,919, which exceeds its stated target reserve level of £1,650,000.
What the accounts disclose
“In the band £80,001 - £90,000 1”
“In the band £80,001 - £90,000 1”
“Target Reserve Level: £1,650,000 (equivalent to approximately nine months of core operating costs).” — page 41
“During the year ended 31 July 2025 the charitable company received £1,878,000 (2024: £2,046,000) from The Open University (OU) in the form of a subvention.” — page 66
Year-over-year changes
- Top pay band moved from £70,001 - £80,000 (FY2024) to £80,001 - £90,000 (FY2025).
Structured financials (annual return, FY ending 31/07/2025)
Register events
- Received assets from another charity (09/06/2020)
Trustees
- Mark Gareth John Pricechair
- Alan Measures
- Christopher Burdett
- Claire Stibbon
- Francesca Rose
- Frank Castle
- Kirsten Munro
- Nicolette Langendam
- Philip Taylor
- Scarlet James
Income and spending
| Financial year end | Income | Spending |
|---|---|---|
| 31/07/2025 | £2.2m | £2.2m |
| 31/07/2024 | £2.4m | £2.1m |
| 31/07/2023 | £2.3m | £1.7m |
| 31/07/2022 | £2.2m | £2.9m |
| 31/07/2021 | £2.1m | £1.6m |
Common questions
Is THE OPEN UNIVERSITY STUDENTS ASSOCIATION financially healthy?
Per its FY2025 accounts: The accounts state that the charity reported a net operating deficit of £69,193 for the year ended 31 July 2025, primarily due to increased expenditure on technology and staff restructuring. However, the charity maintains strong liquidity with total unrestricted funds of £1,971,919, which exceeds its stated target reserve level of £1,650,000. Its FY2025 accounts were audited by HaysMac LLP.
What does the highest-paid employee of THE OPEN UNIVERSITY STUDENTS ASSOCIATION earn?
Per its FY2025 accounts, the highest-paid employee was in the £80,001 - £90,000 band, and 1 employees earned over £60,000.
Funders of similar charities
| Funder | Similar charities funded | Amount to them |
|---|---|---|
| BRITISH UNIVERSITIES AND COLLEGES SPORT LIMITED | 2 | £6k |
Charities like this
- NUS STUDENTS' UNION CHARITABLE SERVICES
- UNION OF UEA STUDENTS LIMITED
- Staffordshire Students' Union
- GREENWICH STUDENTS UNION LTD
- SOAS STUDENTS' UNION
- OXFORD BROOKES STUDENTS UNION LTD
Side by side with its peers
| Charity | Income | Top pay band | Staff >£60k | Reserves vs policy | Fundraising cost | Going concern |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| THE OPEN UNIVERSITY STUDENTS ASSOCIATION | £2.2m | £80,001 - £90,000 | 1 | above | — | no doubt |
| NUS STUDENTS' UNION CHARITABLE SERVICES | £3.9m | — | — | unclear | — | no doubt |
| UNION OF UEA STUDENTS LIMITED | £6.9m | — | — | unclear | — | no doubt |
| Staffordshire Students' Union | £2.8m | — | 0 | unclear | — | no doubt |
| GREENWICH STUDENTS UNION LTD | £4.4m | £70,001 - £80,000 | 2 | below | — | no doubt |
| SOAS STUDENTS' UNION | £1.3m | — | 0 | unclear | 0.0% | no doubt |