Make the most of your University experience
Explore your interests and make friends at the University. Join societies and sports clubs, take an art class or become a volunteer or student representative.
Join societies
Societies are a great way to meet people, develop new skills and gain experience. There are over 80 societies you can join through our Students' Union.
They are grouped by theme into:
Talk to members of each society and sample some activities during Freshers' Week.
If you are a postgraduate student, you're automatically a member of the Postgraduate Association.
If you are from outside the UK, you're automatically a member of the International Students' Association (ISA).
Get involved in sport
We have clubs for 48 sports. You can join whether you're a seasoned athlete or just want to try something new. Each club has regular training sessions and social events.
Talk to club members on Sports Day during Freshers' Week to find out about joining.
You can also take part in casual sports or non-competitive sports.
Use the sports facilities on campus
You get a Sports Pass added to your library card when you start. This gives you free access to the:
- Olympic swimming pool
- tennis, squash and badminton courts
- athletics track
- astroturf pitches
- indoor sports hall
If you want to use the gym, go to fitness classes or use other sports facilities, you will have to pay for a separate gym membership or pay as you go.
Compete against other universities
Many of our sports clubs compete against other universities as part of British Universities and Colleges Sport (BUCS).
All BUCS matches are held on Wednesday afternoons or weekends, when there are no lectures, so it's easy to fit competitive sports into your schedule.
Explore the arts
Whether you're a prima ballerina or a novice painter, we've got the facilities and expertise to help you improve your skills and enjoy the arts.
You can:
- join arts societies through the Students' Union
- take a class or workshop at The Edge Arts, formerly ICIA
- buy a music card and book a practice room at The Edge
- apply for funding for a creative project
Get involved in fundraising and volunteering
Make friends, improve your CV and support local and global issues by taking part in fundraising and volunteering activities.
You can:
- join the Raise and Give (RAG) fundraising group
- apply for a volunteer placement or join the 'V Team'
- coach sports
- volunteer your club or society for community work or fundraising
You can also receive awards and recognition for your fundraising and volunteering to support your CV and career prospects, including:
Become a student representative
If you want to support other students and improve the University, you can stand for election as a student representative.
You can represent students from your course, faculty or accommodation, or represent the University's students at a national level.
You can also develop valuable skills and get experience working with your peers and senior University staff.
Posts you can run for include:
- Students' Union Officer
- Academic Representative
- Faculty Representative
- Senate Representative
- Hall Rep
- student group committee member
- NUS Delegate
You can become a student representative during any year of your course.
Make the most of your Students' Union membership
The Students’ Union helps you get the most from your experience at Bath. As a student-led organisation, it provides a welcoming community, social activities, support and opportunities for representation.
When you register with the University you automatically become a member of the Students’ Union.
You can also apply for an NUS Extra card which offers discounts on shopping, travel, entertainment and more.
Opting out of membership
You have the right not to be a member of the Students' Union. See the Code of Practice for the Students’ Union for information on opting out.