Why should you join a UoB society? Well, among the many benefits, societies are a great way for students to meet others and get involved beyond academics. Whether you decide to pursue a hobby, meet fellow classmates, or try something completely new, we have compiled a list of some of the best student societies at the University of Birmingham for you to explore. We’ve conveniently categorised them into different types of groups for you to look through.
The perfect way to explore these societies and find which ones work for you is to go to Welcome Week! With a multitude of stalls showing what’s on offer. Alongside this, there are taster events open to everyone during Freshers Week. I’d suggest going to check them out before you need a membership to attend. You can find more info about this on UoB’s Student Guild website and on their social media for upcoming events.
Hobbies
Hobbies are a great way to develop skills and wind down after lectures and long study sessions. Here are some popular options you might consider.
For all the foodies out there, check out UoB’s range of food-focused societies, from Baking Society to Tea Society to Cheese Society. Baking society is great for those with a sweet tooth. They host fun baking sessions, where you can improve your skills in the kitchen and get some tasty treats out of it. Cheese Society is also known for its cheese and wine sessions. This is a perfect way to chill and hang out with others, whilst sharing your love for all things brie!
Whether you’re a novice or a pro, there’s a place for you in UoB’s artistic societies! Get crafty with like-minded students in the Hooking and Stitchers society. It’s a relaxing way to create and connect. If you have a knack for storytelling or poetry, there’s also WritersBloc, which provides a supportive environment for writers to share their work. You can participate in workshops and submit to a student-led journal! With most societies, like WritersBloc, you can also get access to great student discounts for events and socials. This means that they offer the best value for your membership. Furthermore, there’s ArtSoc and CraftSoc, and lots more creative and casual groups for artsy students.
Whether you’re into board games, tabletop RPGs, or card games, the Tabletop Gaming Society offers plenty of opportunities for gaming and socialising. Similar to this, there’s the Sober Socials society. They’re the best option for an alcohol-free society as they focus on unique social events for students who like to enjoy a good time without the pressure of drinking.
But that’s not all! There are so many more societies dedicated to hobbies at UoB. From the Uptone Girls to LumSoc to Book Club, there’s something for everyone. Whether you like to enjoy some real-life Pitch Perfect, get hyped with live music, or discover a new favourite book with fellow bibliophiles, these societies are the perfect place to start.
Subjects
UoB has a variety of societies led by students for their degree, and these are the ideal way to meet others on your course and explore your passion with like-minded individuals. From varied weekly sessions, from essay advice to activities and snacks. In addition to this, there are special events like lectures, trips and parties. They have everything you could ever want!
Humanities students highly recommend BACAS and BedSoc. Though they’re not just limited to students of English and History! All students with an interest in these subjects are welcome. You can enjoy a sports team, exclusive lectures and great social events from quizzes to pub crawls.
Students in the University’s College of Medical & Dental Sciences are bound to have heard of MedSoc, one of the largest medical societies. From sports teams, to charities, to a wide variety of social events, they have everything a Med student could ever need to enjoy a well-rounded uni experience. Their ‘jam-packed social calendar’ means that there’s always something to do. I love how varied their activities are, from baking to arts and crafts, to pub quizzes and camping trips.
Even better than this is the MedBall, MedSoc’s annual celebration featuring live music, entertainment, and great food — all perfect for students on a budget looking to have a good time. Many other societies also organise their own balls, as they’re an excellent opportunity to dress up and enjoy a long night of partying after your studies.
Sports
Joining a sports society is not only great for your wellbeing, but also great for socialising. UoB is known for amazing sports nights, which are essentially wild club nights for students in sports groups. But you don’t have to have experience to join. UoB has weekly events for beginners, and most societies are open to people of all skill levels.
Try something unique like KCoverSoc’s K-pop dance classes, or Rollerskate Society. There’s pilates for girls who love a Pinterest-worthy exercise, or hiking society for those who love a picturesque view. Similarly, MMA, Benchball and Kickboxing are all popular options for sporty students. They’re a fantastic way to let off steam or work up a sweat!
Cultural and identity communities
Additionally, the University of Birmingham offers a space for diversity and inclusion. Students can connect with others who share their nationality, faith, or political beliefs, and find a safe space to express their identities. Some examples are the LGBTQ+ Association, the Autism Society, and the Feminist Society.
There are various groups for students to connect and express their culture, including but not limited to Friends of Palestine, ABACUS, Islamic Society and the UoB Ghana Society. However, don’t just take my word for how great these societies are; many are award-winning and high-ranking. For instance, UoB’s Hindu society won the society of the year 2025. UoB’s Women in Law also ranked 12th in the Huzzle 100, a handpicked and exclusive list of the very best societies across the country!
Extracurriculars
As fun as group activities can be, societies are also great for gaining experience outside of your degree. You could join a society to develop a new language, to volunteer, or to develop skills to add to your CV.
UoB’s Guild website has a whole section on volunteering societies. It showcases a variety of amazing groups that you can get involved with. From Action against Homelessness to UNICEF on campus, these societies are a brilliant way to help others and develop valuable and lifelong skills.
There are further societies like Law for Non-Law, the Commercial Awareness society and ENACTUS. These are for those who want to gain skills beyond their course that will help bolster them for life beyond university. These groups are ideal for students who are hesitant to join a society, as they aim to help students with little to no experience enhance their knowledge and skills.
You can develop a range of other skills too, from public speaking with the Debate society and Model UN, to earning career experience with the award-winning RedBrick Newspaper, Burn FM or the Filmmaking Society. They’re all student-led, with a variety of sessions, experiences, and opportunities to get involved. Therefore, they’re perfect for getting in the know before you graduate.
Overall, UoB has a fantastic range of societies for everyone. Whether you’re looking to make lifelong memories, find a sense of belonging, or discover yourself as a person, make the most of Birmingham’s community. Out of the hundreds on offer, we’ve listed just a few of the very best for you to explore. I recommend you do some more research to get involved! You can find them all on the Guild website.
Stop doomscrolling between lectures and be proactive. You can start by taking a look at our top tips for joining a society, or maybe you even want to have a go at being a committee member! However, don’t worry if you haven’t found the right one for you yet. You might consider creating your own society, just like our student writer, Thea, has done. She has shared all the advice you need right here.
Hi! I’m Emmie, and I’m currently studying English Literature and Classical Literature & Civilisations at the University of Birmingham. This means I’m a huge fan of anything historical and literary, so you can usually find me diving into research rabbit holes for a new blog post or engrossed in a good book. Outside of my academic pursuits, I enjoy activities like karaoke, travelling, or spending the day in a museum!
