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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

Our students' union (The SU) has 95 societies you can choose to join. This is a great way to meet people, develop new skills and gain experience.

Our societies are grouped by theme into:

  • arts
  • departmental
  • ethical and political
  • faith and cultural
  • recreational

You can talk to members of each society and sample some activities during Freshers' Week.

If you're 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

Take part in a wide range of sports and make use of our state-of-the-art facilities, whatever your level or ability.

Join a club

We have clubs for over 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 recreational sports and non-competitive sports through The SU.

Use the sports facilities on campus

When you start at Bath, you get a Sports Pass added to your library card. This gives you free access to facilities such as:

  • 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 can get a discount off a 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.

Find out more about joining a BUCS team.

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.

There are plenty of creative activities you can get involved in on campus. You can:

Read more about the arts at Bath
Students performing in a theatrical production

Join the media group

Develop journalism skills and help share the news from around the University.

If you're interested in working in radio, film or news, the media group is always ready to welcome and train new members. You can join to report on big events and social activities around campus.

Learn more about the media group
Students reporting news on campus

Get involved in fundraising and volunteering

You can support local and global issues by taking part in fundraising and volunteering activities.

You're welcome to:

You can also receive awards and recognition for your fundraising and volunteering, to support your CV and career prospects.

Find out more about volunteering
A student showing school children a science demonstration

Become a student representative

Stand for election as a student representative to support other students and improve the University.

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:

You can become a student representative during any year of your course.

Students campaigning for the SU election.

The Edge

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Make the most of your SU membership

The SU 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.

You can also apply for a Totum student card from the National Union of Students (NUS). It gives discounts on shopping, travel, entertainment and more.

When you register with the University, you automatically become a member of The SU.

Opting out of membership

You have the right not to be a member of The SU. See the Code of Practice for The SU for information on opting out.

Student Annaika holding two Bath travel mugs.
‘The campus always keeps me on my toes, there’s never a dull moment and always so much to do. Whether an all-nighter at the library, hours of dancing my heart out at The Edge dance studio, or just enjoying a quiet coffee break by the lake.’
— Annaika Ahuja Third year, Management with Marketing