The Students’ Union The University of Alberta

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

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

• Student advocacy
• Student services
• Campus businesses
• Transit pass program
• Peer support services

Headquarters

HQ city

Calgary

HQ country

Canada

HQ region

North America

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Supply Chain, Others

Revenue model

1. 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.
2. 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.
3. 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

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core 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

Named customers1 record

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Seven partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• FlixBus (Flix North America Inc.)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 26 September 2024FlixBus 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 CamroseminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 26 September 2024Supported the FlixBus route initiative connecting University of Alberta's Edmonton and Camrose campuses.
• Augustana Students' AssociationcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 26 September 2024Partnered with UASU on the FlixBus route connecting the main campus in Edmonton with the Augustana Campus in Camrose.
• Alumo (formerly Studentcare)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerUASU partnered with Alumo to provide extended health and dental coverage for students through the Health and Dental Plan.
• Canadian Alliance of Student Associations (CASA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCASA 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)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerIn 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 AlliancecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe 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

Direct 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

• Xx.com/UASUualberta
• Instagraminstagram.com/uasuualberta
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/university-of-alberta

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles7 records

Subsidiaries8 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds1 record

Investors1 record

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&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