What is an NUS Extra or NUS Democracy card?

Both the NUS Democracy and NUS Extra cards are your official Union and NUS membership cards. They entitle you to a range of benefits and services through the Union and the NUS.

How much does it cost?

The NUS Democracy card costs £1.50 and entitles you to full membership of the Union and the NUS, and a UPSU.net website account, but you don't get any discounts.

The NUS Extra card costs £10 and gives you everything the NUS Democracy card gives you, plus you get an ISIC card worth £7, and a great range of discounts on products and services.

A UPSU.net website account is free, but only gives you access to take part in UPSU.net.

Who can get an NUS card?

Anyone who is a student at Portsmouth University can get an NUS card.

University and Union staff who aren't students can also get an NUS card, but there are some restrictions on what you can and cannot do at the Union, for example you cannot take part in Union elections.

Where do I sign up?

How long does it take to sign up?

Registration will only take you a few minutes.

What information do I need to sign up?

You will need to tell us a bit about yourself, your course, and where you live.

Sign-up dates

You can sign up for an NUS card for the current academic year between August 1st and July 31st.

For example: if you sign up for an NUS card in July 2007, your NUS card will be a 2006-2007 card and you will be able to collect it until the last day of July.

If you want a card for the coming year: you must sign up AFTER August 1st. You will not be able to collect your card until October 1st, but you can sign in to UPSU.net without your card until October 31st.

Collecting your card

NUS cards are issued for the academic year they're sold in, and are available from October 1st to July 31st.

Cards issued between October 1st and July 31st are valid until the following October.

For example: a card issued on October 1st 2006 is valid until October 2007; a card issued on July 31st 2007 is also valid until October 2007.

• Find out where to pick up your card  

I'm a distance learner - how do I collect my card?

You will need to post some information to us.

What do I need to collect my NUS card?

You will need to bring your student ("HEMIS") card once you have enrolled, a passport photo, and payment for your card.

When are cards being issued?

Cards are issued during term-time at the Union.

Can I upgrade my NUS Democracy account to an NUS Extra account?

Yes, of course! If you haven't yet collected your NUS card, simply tell us you've changed your mind when you collect your NUS card and we will issue you with an NUS Extra card.

If you have already collected your NUS card, just come along to reception at the Union during card issue times and we will upgrade your card for £10.

I lost my NUS card - how do I get a replacement?

Simply come into the Union during normal NUS card issue times with valid photo ID and your registered e-mail address and we will replace your card. You may have to pay for a replacement.

Please note that your old card will be placed on our lost cards list, so please make sure you have definitely lost it! If you later find it, please make sure you destroy it.

I have already registered at nusonline.co.uk or nusextra.co.uk - do I need to register here as well?

Yes - "activating" your NUS card only extends the range of services you can get with your NUS Democracy or NUS Extra card. You need to sign up for your NUS card at www.upsu.net and collect it from the Union.

I have a card from a previous year - do I need to register again?

Yes. If you have a green 2005-2006 card, you just need to sign in, update your information, and come into the Union during term time to collect a your new card.

If you have a red 2004-2005 card (or an older card), you will need to create a new account.

When is my NUS card valid until?

Your card is valid from the 1st of September to the 31st of October of the following year. For example, for cards issued for the 2006-2007 academic year, your NUS card will be valid from the 1st September 2006 to the 31st October 2007.

What are the NUS Extra terms and conditions?

The NUS have posted the terms and conditions for NUS Extra cards on their website. Please note that this information was correct as of October 19th 2006 - please tell us by clicking here if the link, below, is not working.

I've just bought an NUS Extra card. When will I be able to activate it on the NUS Extra website?

It usually takes between 3 and 5 working days after we issue your NUS Extra card for it to become active on the NUS Extra website.

I've just bought an NUS Extra card. How do I log in to www.nusextra.co.uk with it?

Go to www.nusextra.co.uk/forgotten-password.aspx and enter your e-mail address to have a new password sent to you - this will let you sign in to nusextra.co.uk.

Please note: it usually takes 3-5 working days for your card to become "active" on nusextra.co.uk. Until your card is active, you won't be able to get your password - more information here.

How to I get a free NUS Extra card with my Lloyds TSB account?

Please sign up for an NUS Card through Lloyds and the NUS Extra website.

What is a UPSU.net website account?

A website account lets you sign in to UPSU.net to use the JobShop, post on the discussion forums, write your own online diary ("blog") and more. Website accounts are free and very easy to sign up for.

Who can get a UPSU.net website account?

Anyone who has a working @port.ac.uk e-mail address can sign up for a UPSU.net website account, i.e. if you are a student or staff member at the University.

What do I get with a website account?

A UPSU.net website account lets you access the UPSU.net JobShop to find part- and full-time work while you study, have your say on the discussion forums, and even start writing your own online diary ("blog").

Can I upgrade to an NUS card?

Yes, of course! Just go to upsu.net/registration/register and answer the questions there to upgrade your account.

What is lifetime membership, and how do I apply?

Lifetime membership of Portsmouth Students' Union is available to former students of the University of Portsmouth.