Societies, students’ unions and sports
Societies
Get involved in societies
Get involved and immerse yourself in events, programmes and activities that spark your interest. I would recommend constantly checking uni opportunity pages that can be found on the uni website, or on Instagram and Facebook.
Written by Naabil, BMBS Medicine, St Luke’s Campus.
Rockpooling and ballroom dancing
One of my favourite experiences during Freshers’ Week was night rockpooling with the Marine Society, and I can safely say that taking part in society events has brought my university experience to life.
The range of sports clubs and societies – from climbing to knitting and crochet – is amazing, and the best part is how they are open to anyone, no matter how much or little experience you have or whether you just want to give something a go.
Within the first couple of weeks I found myself signing up for totally new societies like Ballroom Dance classes and the Sea Swimming Society, and although there’s no pressure to stick to everything you try, it’s the best way of finding other likeminded people or a new hobby you really enjoy.
Written by
Lily
Lily, BSc Zoology, Penryn Campus.
Benchball
Societies like Benchball offer inclusive spaces to make new friends right from Freshers’ Week. It’s a chill activity that allows for conversation and an overall great time every week.
Organised socials, from karaoke to Christmas dinners, allow you to get to know fellow members and Exeter as a place. Themed cheesy Tuesday nights at Unit 1 are always popular!
Each society brings something new to the table. For Benchball, there’s a yearly varsity where we face-off against other universities such as Birmingham, Sheffield and Bournemouth.
Later on you might want to stand for committee elections. I did, and have been helping run Benchball for nearly two years. It’s not an overstatement to say that societies can become a core part of your university life!
Written by
Ryan
Ryan, MA Creative Writing, Streatham Campus.
Volunteering
Something that makes a lot of students feel like part of the local community and not just here to study is volunteering locally to help with initiatives you feel strongly about. This can be anything: from regular beach cleans or volunteering with Cornwall Wildlife Trust and at local animal sanctuaries to taking part in societies such as RAD (Raise and Donate) and Generation Wild, a student-led initiative to inspire and educate younger generations about the natural world.
Written by Lily, BSc Zoology, Penryn Campus.
I’m Jess, the current President for Make a Smile Exeter. We’re a nationwide, student-led charity with different chapters across UK university cities, aiming to brighten the childhoods of disadvantaged children through dressing up as well-known characters, such as Disney princesses and Marvel superheroes. I love the Forum on Streatham Campus as it’s light and airy and really the social hub on campus. It’s an ideal place to hold our Bake Sale fundraisers each term!
Written by Jess, BA Philosophy, Streatham Campus.
Students’ Guild / Union
What is the Students’ Guild?
The Students’ Guild here at Exeter is your Students’ Union – it’s just called a ‘Guild’! It’s a registered charity, meaning it works independently from the University, and is here to support and enrich your experience at Exeter.
Every student has the chance to become an Academic Rep. Reps connect with course mates and staff to collect feedback and communicate this to the relevant department. Reps are very important in ensuring positive change. I’m the PhD rep for Languages, Cultures and Visual Studies. Last year I got the chance to lead on a summer seminar series where we invited a host of speakers.
This year I’ve been on the Student Advisory Board, a panel made up of students from many subjects and levels of study. We’re working together to come up with solutions to very real challenges among students right now, including the cost-of-living crisis.
It has its own Advice Team who provide confidential and impartial advice on academic accommodation and finance-related matters. I’ve found support from the Guild to be very helpful: every year they offer a housing fair on Streatham Campus. I took a lot of information away from this and really appreciated the chance to talk to members of the Guild about my housing options!
From my 5+ years’ experience as an Exe student I’ve always found the Guild responsive and encouraging of student-led ideas.
Written by
Katy
Katy, PhD Languages, Cultures and Visual Studies, Streatham Campus.
The Students’ Union (SU)
The SU team are fantastic. A combination of both graduated Exeter and Falmouth students, they are a brilliant source of support for the creation / joining of societies, mental health and any other university queries you have. They also organise lots of campus events. I was able to go to them with questions about the possibility of using the AMATA music rooms. Within a few months Exeter students were able to book out private music rooms for practice!
Written by
Molly
Molly, BSc Zoology, Penryn Campus.
Sport
Trampoline
Taking part in trampoline is great to keep you active and social. I used to go along every Wednesday at St Luke’s Campus when I had an afternoon free from lectures. Trampoline was the perfect sport for me to join because I was never talented at sports like netball or hockey in school, and trampoline is a lot less pressured and competitive.
The sports at the University are very flexible, too – they often run on several days of the week so you can go whenever suits you and your timetable. It is great fun; you are supported to learn new movements, and you get to rep the University sports stash too.
Written by
Caitlin
Caitlin, BA English and Communications, Streatham Campus.
Written by
Caitlin
Caitlin, BA English and Communications, Streatham Campus.
My favourite memory is competing at BUCS cross country with the Athletics Society.
Thomas, BSc Zoology, Penryn Campus.
I love the unforgettable sport socials, because what other time can you and your mates dress up like idiots, do silly challenges and not be judged?!
Nyah, BSc Biological and Medicinal Chemistry, Streatham Campus.
One of my favourite memories is learning boxing in the Exeter University Amateur Boxing Club and participating in EXEBOX 2022.
Yuhan, BSc Psychology, Streatham Campus.
I’m going to miss the intramural football (despite losing every week), the socials and being able to sit outside the Imperial in the summer.
Alex, BA History, Streatham Campus.
I loved joining Korfball, being able to play at BUCS, and winning the first game with the three in four years.
Elsa, Sports Science, St Luke’s Campus.
Rugby
My favourite thing has been finding rugby! Having never played the game before, I joined EUWRFC in my second year and absolutely fell in love with the sport.