BUSU was chosen by the SUEi (Students' Union Evaluation Initiative) to receive a silver award in its award scheme - confirming the Union as one of the top in the UK.

SUEi is a national assessment model that assists in improving the services and activities delivered to members of Students' Unions by indicating areas for continuous improvement.

Bath is one of only five universities to be accredited by SUEi and was topped only by Leeds University, which was awarded the gold award.

The award comes just two months after BUSU was recognised by the National Union of Students (NUS) as one of the best three Higher Education Students' Unions in the UK at the NUS annual awards evening.

BUSU General Manager Ian Robinson said: "This award is recognition of the work we do and the impact we have on the students, our members. "I hope that all BUSU staff will feel rightly proud of working for a successful and forward-looking Union which has at its heart, a commitment to helping students get the most out of their time at the University."

SUEi assessed each union against the following criteria:

* Connections (with members and stakeholders)

* Governance (staff/officer relationship; involvement of students in decision-making, elections in the Students' Union, etc.)

* Stewardship (how well the Union is managed; effectiveness of processes, policies and practices)

* Innovation (new ways of connecting with members; evidence of new services/delivery and/or innovation within existing services)

* Planning and review (planning processes; measuring performance of the Union)

* Outcomes (how the Union is regarded by its members; impact the Union has on all its members; effectiveness in influencing other key stakeholders)

The event at the Houses of Parliament will be attended by staff and Sabbatical Officers from this year and last, and by the Academic Registrar, Director of Learning and Teaching Enhancement Office and Head of Student Services.

The award will be presented by Rt Hon Bill Rammell MP, Minister of State, Lifelong Learning, Further and Higher Education. The Department for Innovation, Universities and Skills is one of the major sponsors of SUEi.