Student societies

Joining a society is a fantastic way to meet like-minded people and make new friends. You can indulge in interests you already have, or take the plunge and try something completely new.

Along the way, 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.

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 is plenty to choose from.

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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.

"The Literature Society organise book fairs, speakers, themed balls, cinema visits, and a yearly trip abroad during the Easter holidays. This year it is to Barcelona, and last year Prague, so there is sure to be the chance to visit some amazing cities with the society over the next few years."

Lewis, English Literature student. Read Lewis'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 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 experience I gained through joining York’s Entrepreneurs Society and the Travel Society gave me the skills and confidence to run my own company. University funding also helped me develop my business idea."

Charlie Thuillier, Founder and Managing Director of Oppo Ice Cream
BA Applied Social Science (Crime and Criminal Justice), 2011

"Students themselves bring in interesting people to the University. For example, the York Union, a society which I am part of, have hosted politicians such as Alan Johnson, Dominic Grieve and Frank Field, as well as writers such as Francis Beckett, an award-winning historian and ex-education correspondent for the New Statesman, Michael White, associate editor of the Guardian, and Peter Oborne, associate editor of the Spectator."

Joshua, Education student. Read Joshua'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 just 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!

If you're joining us from outside the UK, 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.

"As much as I love York, I also love taking breaks from it and seeing other places. I went to Rievaulx Abbey last year on an International Student Association (ISA)-led trip. It was a chilly but a great day out to somewhere I would have struggled to get to on my own."

Cecilia, Biology student. Read Cecilia's blog post.

Media

Write for award-winning newspapers Nouse or Vision
Broadcast on York Student Television or University Radio York - the country's oldest and most-respected student stations
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).