The Students’ Union The University of Alberta
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1908
- HeadquartersCalgary, Canada
- Headcount101–250
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
The Students’ Union The University of Alberta firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- The Students’ Union The University of Alberta
- Legal name
- University of Alberta Students' Union
- Website
- https://su.ualberta.ca
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1908
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 101–250 employees
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
The Students’ Union The University of Alberta industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Student Union Services and Campus Social Enterprises
- NAICS
- Educational Support Services (611710)
- SIC
- Services-Membership Organizations (8600), Services-Educational Services (8200)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Student Organizations & Club Administration (EDALAHAB)
- akta.pro secondary industry
- Leadership, Debate & Model UN Camps (EDAMALAK)
Keywords
Where The Students’ Union The University of Alberta is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Calgary
- HQ country
- Canada
- HQ region
- North America
Offices3 records
Markets served
The Students’ Union The University of Alberta business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Supply Chain, Others
Revenue model
- Student Membership Fees: Membership fees from undergraduate students. Typically account for less than one-third of UASU revenue. Fall/Winter fee is $62.90 per term (Full Time), $36.93 per term (Part Time). Spring/Summer fee is $38.20 per term (All). Membership fees represent approximately 30-38% of total operating budget.
- Building and Business Operations: Revenue generated through operating UASU businesses including Dewey's, Room at the Top, Daily Grind, SUBprint, SUBmart, and Horowitz Events Centre. These social enterprises provide affordable options to students while generating revenue to support programs, services and initiatives.
- Advertising and Sponsorship: Revenue from advertising and sponsorship deals, including Sponsorship & Advertising programs, student handbook ads, ads on SUTV, tabling in SUB, and event sponsorship.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Subscription | Annual | Full-Time Undergraduate Membership |
| Subscription | Annual | Part-Time Undergraduate Membership |
| Subscription | Annual | Spring/Summer Membership |
| Subscription | Annual | Augustana Campus Students |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels6 records
The Students’ Union The University of Alberta product offering
Product offeringCore offering
The University of Alberta Students' Union (UASU) is a student-run, non-profit advocacy and services organization that represents all 38,000 undergraduate students at the University of Alberta. It sells membership access to services, businesses, events, spaces, and advocacy; operates food/beverage and retail businesses (Dewey's, Daily Grind, Room At The Top, SUBmart, SUBprint, Horowitz Events Centre) and the 24/7 Students' Union Building; and delivers programs such as the U-Pass transit program, Health and Dental Plan, Peer Support Centre, Safewalk, and Zero Textbook Cost.
Product overview
The University of Alberta Students' Union (UASU) is a student-run advocacy and services organization that operates a portfolio of businesses, programs, and facilities serving over 38,000 undergraduate students. The offering is structured as a platform of student services and social enterprises. Core businesses include food and beverage operations (Daily Grind cafe, Dewey's pub, Room At The Top rooftop venue, SUBmart convenience store), event venues (Horowitz Events Centre), and print services (SUBprint). Supporting services include the Health and Dental Plan, Peer Support Centre, Safewalk, The Landing (2SLGBTQ+ support), InfoLink, and the Campus Food Bank. Sustainability initiatives encompass the Bike Library, Reusable Dish Program, Campus Community Garden, and SUBsprout Thrift Store. Student engagement programs include UASUevents (Week of Welcome, Campus Cup), UASU Perks mobile app, Board Game Library, and the Students' Union Building (SUB) as a central multi-use facility. The UASU also advocates for student interests through federal, provincial, municipal, and university advocacy channels, and administers transit (U-Pass) and accessibility programs.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- SUBprint In-house print shop providing printing and document services to University of Alberta undergraduate students within the SUB.
- Daily Grind UASU-operated cafe and coffee shop providing affordable food and beverages to students.
- Dewey's Pub-style restaurant and social space operated by the UASU, offering food, drinks, and entertainment events including karaoke and music bingo.
- Room At The Top Rooftop venue and social space operated by the UASU, commonly used for events such as RATT on the Patio.
- SUBmart UASU-operated convenience store in the SUB providing grab-and-go items and student essentials.
- Horowitz Events Centre Event venue operated by the UASU within the SUB, hosting live performances, meetings, and campus events.
- U-Pass Transit pass program negotiated by the UASU providing students with discounted access to Edmonton Transit Service and regional transit, helping students save on transportation costs.
- Health and Dental Plan Extended health and dental coverage administered through Alumo (formerly Studentcare), providing coverage for health services to UAlberta undergraduate students.
- Peer Support Centre (PSC) Student-run peer support service offering confidential listening, referrals, and wellness resources to UAlberta students.
- Safewalk Safety service in which student volunteers escort students across campus, particularly during evening hours.
- UASUevents Event programming division curating campus events including Week of Welcome (WOW), Campus Cup, trivia nights, and seasonal celebrations.
- UASU Perks Mobile rewards application for iOS and Android that allows students to earn points by taking surveys, sharing feedback, and attending events in exchange for prizes, swag, and gift cards.
- Students' Union Building (SUB) Multi-floor student facility owned and operated by the UASU, serving as the living room of campus with food court, pharmacy, convenience store, quiet study spaces, event theatre, and student services.
- SUBsprout Thrift Store Secondhand thrift store operated by the UASU, promoting sustainable fashion and affordable shopping for students.
- Campus Food Bank Registered charity providing groceries, snack stations, and community pantries to support food security for UAlberta students.
- The Landing Support service for 2SLGBTQ+ students offering community, resources, and advocacy for gender equity and inclusivity.
- Discounts & Offers Commercial discount program providing students with access to reduced-price movie tickets, ski passes, and other retail discounts.
Quantifiable outcome
- Saves students over $20M per year through advocacy wins including: $10M+ annually from MNIF fee reduction, $5M/year from separating non-instructional fees from tuition increases, and $1M/year from removing the installment fee.
- +3 more outcomes
Companies that use The Students’ Union The University of Alberta
Customer profileNamed customers1 record
Segments5 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
The Students’ Union The University of Alberta technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
The Students’ Union The University of Alberta partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Seven partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- FlixBus (Flix North America Inc.)coreFlixBus launched a new route connecting University of Alberta's Edmonton and Camrose campuses on September 26, 2024, as a six-week pilot program running through November 6, 2024. The route addresses transportation needs for over 50,000 students, with 68% relying on public transportation. Service connects to Flix's existing Edmonton-Calgary-Lethbridge line with plans to expand beyond the pilot period.
- City of CamroseminorSupported the FlixBus route initiative connecting University of Alberta's Edmonton and Camrose campuses.
- Augustana Students' AssociationcorePartnered with UASU on the FlixBus route connecting the main campus in Edmonton with the Augustana Campus in Camrose.
- Alumo (formerly Studentcare)coreUASU partnered with Alumo to provide extended health and dental coverage for students through the Health and Dental Plan.
- Canadian Alliance of Student Associations (CASA)coreCASA is a national student advocacy organization. The UASU is a member and participates in federal advocacy through CASA, tackling issues like financial aid, textbook costs, copyright, and student employment programs. Secured $635 million for Student Work Placement Program in Budget 2025.
- Alberta Students' Executive Council (ASEC)coreIn 2026, the UASU officially joined ASEC and announced the onset of the dissolution process of CAUS. ASEC addresses provincial issues including tuition rates, student fees, and campus mental health funding.
- Edmonton Student AlliancecoreThe UASU is a member of the Edmonton Student Alliance to address municipal issues including transit safety, housing affordability, and U-Pass negotiations with City Council.
Scale indicators7 records
Recent moves7 records
Expansion highlights5 records
The Students’ Union The University of Alberta competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Alma Mater Society (UBC): Student-run society for University of British Columbia undergraduates operating the Nest, businesses, services, and advocacy. Comparable in scale (70,000+ members), scope (businesses + advocacy + services), and Canadian non-profit governance model.
- Students' Association of MacEwan University (SAMU): Edmonton-based student association for MacEwan University undergraduates, providing services, advocacy, and operating businesses. Directly comparable in geography (Edmonton), mandate, and membership-based operating model.
- University of Toronto Students' Union (UTSU): Student union serving University of Toronto undergraduates with services, advocacy, and business operations. Closely comparable structure and offering set, scaled to a much larger downtown commuter campus.
- Simon Fraser Student Society (SFSS): Student society for Simon Fraser University undergraduates operating businesses, services, and advocacy. Comparable in Canadian non-profit membership-organization structure and service breadth.
- University of Victoria Students' Society (UVSS): Student society at UVic operating food and beverage outlets, a campus pub, health and dental plan, and advocacy. Closely comparable mix of social enterprises and member services.
- McGill Students' Society (SSMU): McGill undergraduate student society operating businesses, services, and advocacy from the Student Union Building. Comparable scale, structure, and offering mix.
- Federation of Students (University of Waterloo): University of Waterloo Federation of Students — undergraduate student-run organization providing services, advocacy, and operating businesses on campus. Comparable membership-organization model and Canadian context.
Regional players
- Graduate Students' Association (GSA), University of Alberta: The graduate-student counterpart body at the same University of Alberta campus. Comparable mandate (advocacy, services, businesses for a student constituency) but distinct segment (grad students) and parallel governance.
- Augustana Students' Association: Student association at UAlberta's Augustana Campus in Camrose with which UASU partners on inter-campus services (e.g., FlixBus route). Comparable student-body mandate at a satellite campus.
Others
- Canadian Alliance of Student Associations (CASA): National student advocacy alliance of which UASU is a member. Not a direct operator but a strategic umbrella that coordinates federal advocacy (e.g., $635M Student Work Placement Program) UASU participates in.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
The Students’ Union The University of Alberta social profiles
Digital presenceThe Students’ Union The University of Alberta financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
The Students’ Union The University of Alberta leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles7 records
The Students’ Union The University of Alberta subsidiaries and ownership
Company hierarchySubsidiaries8 records
The Students’ Union The University of Alberta funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds1 record
Investors1 record
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
The Students’ Union The University of Alberta M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about The Students’ Union The University of Alberta
What does The Students’ Union The University of Alberta do?
The University of Alberta Students' Union (UASU) is a student-run, non-profit advocacy and services organization that represents all 38,000 undergraduate students at the University of Alberta. It sells membership access to services, businesses, events, spaces, and advocacy; operates food/beverage and retail businesses (Dewey's, Daily Grind, Room At The Top, SUBmart, SUBprint, Horowitz Events Centre) and the 24/7 Students' Union Building; and delivers programs such as the U-Pass transit program, Health and Dental Plan, Peer Support Centre, Safewalk, and Zero Textbook Cost.
Is The Students’ Union The University of Alberta a public or private company?
The Students’ Union The University of Alberta is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was The Students’ Union The University of Alberta founded?
The Students’ Union The University of Alberta was founded in 1908. It employs 101 to 250 people.
Where is The Students’ Union The University of Alberta based?
The Students’ Union The University of Alberta is headquartered in Calgary, Canada, in the North America region.
How does The Students’ Union The University of Alberta make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. Student Membership Fees are the primary driver. The others are building and Business Operations and advertising and Sponsorship.
Who are The Students’ Union The University of Alberta's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Alma Mater Society (UBC), Students' Association of MacEwan University (SAMU), University of Toronto Students' Union (UTSU), Simon Fraser Student Society (SFSS), University of Victoria Students' Society (UVSS), McGill Students' Society (SSMU) and Federation of Students (University of Waterloo). Regional players are Graduate Students' Association (GSA), University of Alberta and Augustana Students' Association. Canadian Alliance of Student Associations (CASA) is listed as an others.
Does The Students’ Union The University of Alberta have an API?
No public API is recorded for The Students’ Union The University of Alberta.
What industry is The Students’ Union The University of Alberta in?
The Students’ Union The University of Alberta's product category is Student Union Services and Campus Social Enterprises. Its primary akta.pro industry code is EDALAHAB, Student Organizations & Club Administration, with a secondary code of EDAMALAK, Leadership, Debate & Model UN Camps. Its NAICS code is 611710 and its SIC code is 8600.