Sponsorship

The Durham Union Society is the University\'s largest internal student body, with 3000 members. What makes the Union so attractive for sponsors, especially for graduate recruiters is that these 3000 members come from all 14 colleges, all 26 departments and from all walks of life. Sponsors can gain unparalleled exposure within the University. As requirements for career paths become broader, and as applicants come increasingly from all degree disciplines, sponsors find sponsoring the Union more and more beneficial. 

Sponsors: why do we need them?

The Union has never had so many members, and has never put on so many events. It can only continue to do so, however, with the support of our numerous sponsors. The money we raise goes directly back to the members in a variety of different ways including debates, publications and free members\' events. Simply put, without sponsorship the Union would not be able to function.

What types of sponsorship are available to you?

Term Card:

Sent to our 3,000 resident members three times a year, this professional, glossy A5 brochure is a diary of our events and therefore is referred to regularly by a very large number of students. Your company would benefit from long-lasting exposure to our members and, as the termcard is produced to our specifications, we can tailor your advertisement to your individual needs. This is the simplest way for sponsors interested in graduate recruitment to become involved with the Union.

Freshers\' Brochure:

This is an A4 glossy publication is sent to all students who will be coming to the University next year. This reaches the 4000 Freshers\' and new Postgraduate students before they even arrive in Durham and as such is a perfect way to publicise local businesses.

Debates, addresses and forums:

Exclusive sponsorship of a debate, address or forum does not entail endorsement of a motion, subject or speaker. Rather, it demonstrates a commitment to provoking debate and discussion. More importantly, it gives a graduate recruitment opportunity like no other. Firms can hold a detailed presentation talk half an hour before the event. These events attract over 350 engaging students who often arrive early to guarantee themselves good seats! Exclusive sponsorship also gives sponsors the chance to leave publications about the firm at the event for students to read whilst waiting and gives graduate recruiters the chance to network with potential applicants at the drinks reception afterwards. Moreover, the Union will acknowledge support of the sponsor on all the literature publicising the event, ensuring the the company brand is spread around the entire campus. 

Members\' events:

We host numerous socials events every term for our members, ranging from trips to international rugby at Murrayfield to Mince Pies and Mulled Wine in the week before the Christmas holiday. These are always well attended and are a fantastic way of increasing brand awareness.

Michaelmas Ball:

Every Michaelmas we host one of the most popular balls in Durham, this year to be held at Beamish Hall. Sponsorship of the ball gives a brand or firm exposure not only to the 200 students who attend the evening but also throughout the University because the event is extensively promoted amongst the colleges in the preceding month.

Competitive Debating:

This makes up a large part of the Union Society\'s work, and constitutes numerous events throughout the year. Sponsorhsip opportunities include our Monday Night Workshops, which take place throughout Michaelmas and Epiphany terms, the Durham Inter-Varsity debating competition in November, the Durham Schools\' debating competition (the World\'s largest residential schools debating competition) in March, and the Durham Open competition in June. Further details of these and other competitive debating events in Durham can be obtained by contacting the Director of Debating at durhamdebate@gmail.com

Website:

Our newly designed website is visited regularly by our members and prospective members and can easily incorporate customised advertisements. This is a great way of advertising because it means that you can update your advert regularly to promote specific events and offers.

For more information about sponsorship opportunities please feel to contact our Sponsorship Secretary by email (sponsorship@dus.org.uk), phone 0191 3843724 or in person at the Union\'s office.