Student movement which has influenced the curriculum wins at NUS Awards 2014

17th July 2014

This year over 600 nominations from students’ unions across England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales were submitted for the NUS Awards 2014.

The NUS Awards 2014 are a celebration of the work in student unions; from officers and staff, to inspirational students and unsung heroes – a chance to reflect on the past year, celebrate achievements and share amazing stories from across the country.

Sixty four students’ unions made it through to the finals and 14 winners were finally announced at the gala awards ceremony in Bolton in June 2014.

All of the winners have some fantastic initiatives to share so please do read all about them. You can see a full list of winners and runners-up by clicking here.

We wanted to pick out one winner that the EAUC have been avidly following recently: winner of the Society of the Year - Manchester Post-Crash Society. Find out more.

“The Manchester Post-Crash Economics Society campaigns for changes to how economics is taught in Higher education, in light of the modern economic climate. Since its inception in December 2012, the society has caused huge debate at Manchester, and nationally, around the economics education UK students receive.

They have gone on to have wide-spread student support, including launching a petition which has received hundreds of signatures.

The campaign has worked in true partnership with many academics at Manchester, including working with one staff member closely, where they jointly created a module: Bubbles, Panics and Crashes. The alternative lecture series has had international economists come and speak, very large attendance and created an entirely new educational perspective for economics students here in Manchester.

A similar module is now being taught at York University. The campaign’s focus on broadening the curriculum has challenged the School of Social Sciences, and the school has gone on to change a number of modules across economics, philosophy and politics to incorporate some of the demands. However, the campaign continues as the school rejects the module and alternative theories to economics."

This is a great example of a student movement which has influenced curriculum. At the EAUC, we welcome these signs of change in an area that has been resistant for too long.

We look forward to hearing more from these groups in the future and it's positive to see these groups being rewarded at the NUS Awards 2014.