Student unions that compete with the high street
Student union design · Scotland · UK
Multi-use university hospitality designed for durability, flexibility and commercial performance.
Student unions designed around peak load, durability and atmosphere — not campus-cafeteria pacing.
About student union design
We design student unions that compete with the high street, not ones that feel like campus cafeterias.
Multi-use hospitality spaces for universities that handle extreme peaks, survive real use, and create the atmosphere that drives student satisfaction scores and campus loyalty. Our student union design work includes Strathclyde Students' Union, ranked #1 in Scotland (WhatUni 2025), Edinburgh University, EUSA and Queen Margaret Union.
Strathclyde · Student Union Design Glasgow
What makes student union design different
A student union is hospitality at scale, with constraints no commercial venue lives with. Peak nights run 1,000+ at a time. Multi-stakeholder approval (union management, estates, catering partners, student reps) means concept-to-delivery is a different conversation. Term-time programmes constrain when work happens — most student union projects run summer-only or in tightly phased installs around term dates.
Durability matters more here than almost anywhere else. The fit out has to absorb late-night student trade, daytime catering, lecture-room overflow, conference hire and one-off events — all in the same week. We specify FF&E and finishes accordingly.
Strathclyde Students' Union
Designed for the busiest student trading floor in Scotland.
Strathclyde Students' Union sits in the centre of Glasgow's largest campus and trades at high volume across daytime catering, evening bar service and major events. Our brief was to upgrade the central bar zone, member spaces and event venue while maintaining trade through the works — phased delivery across summer breaks, with operational continuity through term time.
Outcome: ranked #1 student union in Scotland (WhatUni 2025) by student vote. Increased dwell time, increased member spend per visit, improved satisfaction scores. Read the full case study →
Student union design across Scotland & UK
We're an Edinburgh-based student union designer working with universities across Scotland and the UK. The brief shifts site to site (campus density, age of estate, listed-building constraints, sector mix) but the operational discipline stays the same — peak load, durability, multi-stakeholder management, term-time programme.
For multi-site union projects we develop design systems that adapt to each site while preserving the union's brand consistency — reducing per-venue design and build cost without compromising the experience. Read more about how we work →
Frequently asked questions about student union design
The questions estates teams and union managers ask before briefing.
How much does a student union refurbishment cost?
It depends on scale and scope. A single bar area might be £150k+. A full student union interior design project could be £500k+. Simple redecoration could be considerably less. We'll give you a realistic range early so you can plan funding and stakeholder approval.
How do you handle multiple stakeholders?
We're used to it. University projects involve union management, estates teams, catering partners and student representatives. As an experienced student union designer, we present clearly, build consensus and keep the project moving through committee cycles.
Can you design around term-time constraints?
Yes. Student union design work usually happens during summer breaks or phased around term dates. We plan our programmes accordingly and design in phases where needed.
Do you work with student unions outside Scotland?
Yes. We're a student union designer based in Edinburgh but we work with student unions across the UK. Student union design Edinburgh, Glasgow or further afield — the approach is the same; we just need a site visit and a decent train connection.
Can you help with funding applications?
We can provide visuals, cost estimates and student union design documentation to support funding bids and stakeholder presentations. We know what committees need to see. We can also introduce brand sponsorships and collaborations.
Genuinely, are you the best student union designers in Scotland?
According to student vote via WhatUni 2025 — yes.
Start a project
Briefing a student union? Let's talk.
We respond within one working day.