“Societies are absolutely fantastic at creating that sense of belonging that students need to keep them in education,” says Richard Brooks, NUS vice-president of union development.
“It’s about meeting people who are like you and who care about you. Plus, students who take part in societies are not only less likely to drop out – they also go on to get good honours degrees and have better employment prospects, too.”
Brooks, a judge on the inaugural National Societies Awards this year, has been impressed with the sheer diversity of the societies offered by student unions across the country.
“There’s everything from ninja and pirate societies to extreme sports, like rock climbing and mountaineering,” he says. “Then there’s the more traditional sports, community groups and activism – so there really is something for everyone,” he explains.
“It’s not just about students doing nice things or having a good student experience – ultimately, societies make students and their lives, as well as wider society, better.”
Student unions are always open to ideas for new societies as long as there’s enough interest, says Derby students union vice-president of student community Amy Horner.
“At the start of 2016, we held a campaign to encourage students to start up new societies. Some ideas were a bit ‘out there’ – suggestions included stitch and bitch [knitting], skydiving and snail racing – but everything is considered!”
Extreme sports
Ultimate frisbee Nottingham Trent University students can take part in this fast-paced team game of razor-sharp throwing skills and immense stamina and agility. Also at Leeds, Exeter, Edinburgh and more.
Airsoft society Players eliminate opponents by hitting each other with spherical non-metallic pellets. Offered at the University of Derby.
Roller derby A full-contact women’s sport played on quad roller skates, by players skating around an elliptical track. The game consists of a series of two-minute countdown “jams”. Get your skates on at a range of universities, including Cambridge.
Extreme ironing Described as “combining the thrills of an extreme outdoor activity with the satisfaction of a well-pressed shirt”, extreme ironing sits somewhere between performance art and extreme sport. All you need is an ironing board, some laundry, and a remote or dangerous location/situation – maybe in a canoe or under a frozen lake – and you’re away. Available at the University of Nottingham.
Unusual clubs
Historia Normannis A 12th-century medieval reenactment group at the University of Derby, focusing on the events between the reigns of Henry I and King John.
Real tennis Middlesex University has the enclosed court needed to play the original tennis – which has as much in common with squash as it does with Wimbledon.
The Baker Street Irregulars Formed in 2015 at St George’s University of London by four graduate medical students, their areas of interest centre on clinical forensic medicine, pathology and Benedict Cumberbatch.
Pagan and occult Keele University offers this discussion group based around topics from the paranormal to the supernatural. Paganism and witchcraft feature heavily.
TV and film societies
Dumbledore’s Army This society for Harry Potter fans at the University of Derby has quizzes, online roleplaying, fan fiction and origami sessions.
Muggle Quidditch A full-contact, mixed-gender sport modelled on the broomstick-based sport from JK Rowling’s wizard world. At Derby.
Disney appreciation University of Manchester students can enjoy movie nights, quizzes and events based around all things Disney.
Ice and Fire Offered at the University of York, this is the society to appreciate all things Game of Thrones with socials, episode screenings and book discussions.
RuPaul’s Drag Race Watch episodes, get backstage gossip, and enjoy trips to Drag Idol UK and RuPaul’s Drag Race UK in London. At Keele.
