The 2021 University term starts next month for the vast majority of UK universities. Most of them start with their ‘Welcome Week’ or ‘Freshers Week’ for new students before the term begins properly. The joys of the welcome week await all of the new students. Meeting your housemates, getting a rough handle on your new town/city and the university facilities and signing up for the clubs and societies you fancy. Learning how to get clothes washed and how to cook a basic meal might be on the agenda for some freshers too.
The Numbers
There are over 130 recognised university bodies on the UK government website. There are also 40 foreign universities with campuses in the UK. Following a quick sample, we didn’t find one of the mid to large unis to have fewer than 100 societies and sports clubs available for students to join. So, there are sure to be more than 10,000 UK universities societies, clubs, groups, committees across the country. The choice of interests is amazing at each university and when you look across the country it is mind-blowing. From: A Cappella and Beatbox Society (Sheffield Uni), Beer Pong (Aberystwyth), Modern Languages (Leicester) to Pro Wrestling Appreciation Society (Liverpool), Sustainable Fashion Society (Bath).
New Uni Clubs and Societies
The range of clubs and societies is already vast. But, most Universities/Student Unions are open to the creation of new groups if you have a good idea which you can sell to them. It seems to be mainly the second-year students who start new groups and societies. The freshers are too green, and have too much other stuff on their plate, to initiate anything new. While the third/fourth-year students are busier with academic matters and struggle to find the time for starting new things.
How the societies run
The Student Union tends to be the ‘controller/overseer’ of the societies. Not that it runs them, but most are created with the blessing and support of the Union. It makes sense, the Student Union has access to all students and can help market each society or club and point people in the right direction. Each group might run differently but it is common to have a small committee of student volunteers that runs each.
The membership of each group is constantly churning, as new students come and others leave the university. So, many of the events/activities are rolled around on a cycle without a problem with new things thrown in periodically. Purchases like uni society hoodies are managed, ordered and delivered to the committee and then distributed by them to the members.
Picking the societies you want to join
As a fresher the chance to join societies and clubs is fantastic. It is an opportunity to try something you have never done before but have been interested in or curious about for ages. When you are already into something, like tennis or drama, joining the Uni team/society is ideal. Going into a group already committed to your activity means you are up and running from the first week of term.
Many of the uni clubs, groups, societies encourage members to buy hoodies to show their involvement in the group. It helps the club market itself around the campus/city and helps engender ongoing membership. It gives the members something to recognise their involvement.
Looking for Uni Club Hoodies?
If your society is looking for hoodies you could always point them in the direction of The Leavers Hoodies Company. We already supply many uni societies and clubs around the UK but, with 10,000 plus to go at, we believe we can help still more.
Header photo by Matheus Bertelli from Pexels
