Student societies

Joining a society is a fantastic way to meet like-minded people and make new friends. Indulge your interests or try something completely new.

The University of York Students' Union (YUSU) offers over 200 student societies, all entirely organised by and for students, or you can always start your own. From astronomy to aerobics and politics to poetry - there's plenty to choose from.

As well as having fun, you can develop skills highly valued by employers. For example, joining a society committee is a great way to develop your leadership or teamwork skills. You can also get your skills and experience recognised through the innovative York Award.

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Academic and careers

Expand your subject knowledge, enhance your employment prospects and take part in fun activities with an academic society such as ShockSoc, open to anyone with an interest in electronics. We have societies for most subject areas taught at York, but if we don't have the one you're looking for you can always start one.

When you’re at York, definitely check out the language societies. It’s a great way to make new friends and practise speaking to actual native speakers (and eat lots of Lebkuchen)!

Hannah, BA (Hons) French and German Language (with a year abroad). Read Hannah's blog post.

Ideas, campaigning and political

Innovate and inspire with the Entrepreneurs Society, or help to share big ideas and bring the spirit of TED to York with the TEDxUoY society.

Make an impact! Join the award-winning York Student Think Tank, where you can try to find solutions for social, topical and political problems.

Improve your debating, communication and persuasion skills with the Debating Society. Or campaign for freedom of expression with YorkPEN, a student-led subgroup of the founding centre of a worldwide writers’ association English PEN.

Watch https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yn2F7pVGMLw on YouTube

Do you believe in the power of ideas to change the world? Then why not join the TEDx Society.

The Politics Society is entirely student-run. This means if you decide to come to York you’d have the opportunity to get involved and organise events for your fellow students, meet high profile figures and get invaluable experience! Or if that’s not for you, you can just come along to all the amazing events PolSoc puts on throughout the academic year.

Samuel, BA (Hons) Politics with International Relations. Read Samuel's blog post.

Faith and culture

Discover and celebrate world cultures and religions with societies such as the Christian Union, the Islamic Society, Jewish Society, Latin American Society, Italian Society or Russian Speaking Society to name a few. The groups are open to all students. You can get informal language support, try different foods and meet people from all over the world!

You could also join our International Students' Association (ISA). They organise a variety of events and trips throughout the year such as food fiestas, cultural celebrations, coffee afternoons and day trips.

Media

Write for award-winning newspapers Nouse or Vision
Broadcast on York Student Television or University Radio York - the country's oldest student station
Find out more about getting involved with student media.

Watch https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y_swoiqDHzo on YouTube

Are you a wannabe filmmaker? Find out more about York Student Television. They made this video along with a series of other student society videos (youtube.com).