20 of the weirdest university societies in the UK

Have you ever wondered what the weirdest university societies in the UK are? No- well you should have.

Societies are an integral part of university life. They offer the chance to make friends for life, alongside nurturing an alcohol addiction and/ or an obsession with dressing up as ‘sexy’ secondary school girls every week. In fact, most UK universities have an array of societies to cater to the diverse population of students and their niche interests. Perhaps you want to immerse yourself in the ways of medieval life? Or maybe you just want an excuse to party every Wednesday night? Well, name practically any interest and it is highly likely that one university around the UK has a society dedicating their appreciation to it. From Birmingham’s ‘Brum Dine With Me’ society to the Assassin’s Society of Durham, you could be cooking, and plotting in no time. Here are just 20 of the UK’s weirdest societies (but trust us, there are so many more.)

1. The Quidditch Club – Oxford University

Anyone who loves Harry Potter would have heard of Quidditch, the popular wizarding sport. What you probably didn’t know is that Quittich exists in the real world too. In fact, Oxford University hosts one of the UK’s oldest quidditch clubs in collaboration with Oxford Brookes Uni. Founded in 2011, the society is professionally running as a sports club also. Home to their first team, the Radcliffe Chimeras, and their second team, the Oxford Quidlings, the club regularly competes in local, high-quality quidditch tournaments. Oxford’s Quidditch society get bonus points for getting stuck in with the local community and running ‘Kidditch’ (yes, you got it, quidditch for kids). Their motto is ‘remember to Fly Sexy!’, and I am sorry Daniel Radcliffe, but they really do. These guys know what they are doing, better than most muggles out there…Where do we sign up? Alternatively, if you are a Harry Potter then check out The best UK Universities for Harry Potter fans.

2. Hummus Society – London School of Economics

Calling all vegans, veggies, and food-fanatics – this one is for you. London School of Economics has their very own Hummus Society. Yes, You heard that right. This society prides itself on their infatuation and fascination with blended chickpeas. Who can blame them? Meeting weekly over a bottle of Cabernet Sauvignon and discussing the intricate flavour differences between caramelised onion hummus and roasted red pepper hummus seems important- and highly beneficial to the university lifestyle.

3. Brum Dine With Me – University of Birmingham

Next up, is a society for foodies. Presenting the pinnacle of student savviness, ‘Brum Dine with Me’ was a prevalent society at the University of Birmingham during the early 2010s. As a member, you will be placed in groups of five to six amongst your fellow members. Each of you will cook and score each other’s food over a six-week period. Unfortunately, it looks like this society is no longer active. Maybe you could be the one to revive it, and bring dinner party mayhem to your lucky university?

4. Karaoke Society – University of Leicester

Source: Canva Following on, it’s time to let your inner Adele out at Leicester’s Karaoke Society. Each member is severely encouraged to participate in mic drops and sing as out of tune as they please. Established in 2020, this society offers members karaoke nights in bars, clubs, and each other’s houses, whilst benefitting from a no-judgement environment amongst the group. If you are looking for somewhere to let your hair loose and make some friends, maybe karaoke is for you.

5. 20 Minute Society – Newcastle University

Perhaps you like living life on the edge? Hate pre-planning? Yearn for spontaneity? The 20 Minute Society could be calling out your name. Essentially, if you are a member of this society, you will get twenty minutes of notice regarding your next social’s whereabouts. Once receiving this notice, it is all about how fast you can get to them. Weirdly sounds fun… if you can think fast enough.

6. Stitch & Bitch – Leeds University

Next up on our list is a society from Leeds. More welcoming than their title may suggest, Leeds University’s ‘Stich & Bitch’ society entails gathering socially whilst knitting, hand-sewing, crocheting or pursuing any other craft of a similar calibre. The members of this society are clearly getting in some early practice for their years as an OAP. How nice it is to see people embracing growing old for once.

7. Lego Society – University of Nottingham

Alternatively, why not let your inner child back out at Nottingham University’s Lego Society? The group run Lego building competitions. Plus they have a vast collection of Lego sets, editions, and games that you can play with and build at your leisure. Perhaps you have an ‘unhealthy’ obsession with the toy, or you just want something to keep yourself busy. The Lego society meets each week for two hours of pure Lego discussion, and a Lego construction course.

8. Nerf Society – University of Bristol

Equally important on our list of the weirdest university societies in the UK is Bristol’s Nerf Society. The group brings its members different NERF games each week, such as fighting another team, pretending to battle zombies, or duelling each other in pairs. Equipped with ’50 blasters’, this society encourages people to bring just themselves and an attitude for lots of fun.

9. Ginger Appreciation Society – University of Bristol

Up next on our list is a society in Bristol. Active in 2019, Bristol’s Ginger Appreciation Society (shockingly) appreciates the world’s resident redheads whilst actively participating in speed-dating events, parties, and bar crawls. They accept members regardless of their position on the ginger spectrum. The only conditions are that you must be a redhead or, an appreciator of the redheads (for the non-redheads, don’t worry… they have wigs).

10. Shrek Society – Glasgow University

Lastly, is what has to be one of the weirdest university societies in the UK. Their Facebook group category is ‘Sex Therapist’. However, they are ‘dedicated to upholding the wider cultural impact of the Shrek cinematic universe’.’ Is there anything the Shrek Society cannot do? The society runs events such as a Shrek-themed scavenger hunt, a Shrek pub quiz and the ‘ShrekSoc Study Session’. It is pleasing to see that one can participate in drinking socials, academic meetups and pursue their love for Shrek, all at the same time. These society members have some serious ‘layers’ to them.

11. Doctor Who Society – The University of Oxford

The group, which was formed in 1989, meets regularly to discuss and watch the show (there might also be a cheeky trip to the pub involved!) If you’re an avid Doctor Who fans at Oxford and wants to meet new people, this may be the society for you!

12. Bell Ringing Society – The University of Nottingham

The Bell Ringing Society at The University of Nottingham was founded in 1958 and seeks to teach the art of bellringing to students of all abilities. The group practices twice a week and has open membership.

13. Louis Theroux Appreciation Society – Birmingham City University

It’s hard not to love the icon that is Louis Theroux, and the students over at Birmingham City University have even created a society in his name. The Louis Theroux Appreciation Society meets once a week to watch one of his documentaries, alongside other monthly activities that may or may not also involve Louis Theroux.

14. Cheese Society – Nottingham Trent University

This sounds like a society we’d like to be involved in! The Nottingham Trent Cheese Society holds regular events for cheese lovers, including tasting sessions and fondue nights.

15. Pantomime Society – The University of Manchester

Pantomimes can be enjoyed all year round at The University of Manchester. Putting on “some of the weirdest shows you’ve ever seen”, this society is a must for all you Mancunian drama lovers out there.

16. Bad Film – The University of Birmingham

As the name suggests, this society at The University of Birmingham solely consists of people coming together to enjoy bad films. If this sounds like something up your street, the Bad Film society meets weekly during the semester with an additional three-film marathon at the end of every term.

17. Matchmaking Society – The University of Nottingham

Are you looking to find love at university? Well, The University of Nottingham has just the group to help you out! This award-winning society describes itself as “the cupids of your uni experience” and aims to bring people together with similar love interests.

18. Gardening Society – Manchester Metropolitan University

Anyone who enjoys getting down and dirty in the garden may be interested in the Gardening Society at Manchester Metropolitan University. The group aims to encourage students to cultivate gardening skills through planting and harvesting sessions, whilst also holding non-gardening-based socials as a way to meet new people and make friends.

19. Rubik Cube Society – The University of Liverpool

This society is basically what it says on the tin. Members of the University of Liverpool’s Rubik Cube Society can learn how to solve a 3×3 Rubik’s cube amongst others and also learn techniques to increase speed through society sessions and socials. Students of all abilities are welcome.

20. Tea Appreciation Society – The University of Oxford

Who doesn’t love a good cup of tea? Over at the University of Oxford, you can attend the Tea Appreciation Societies’ weekly meetings for a small charge of £3 per term and sample a variety of new teas and cake.