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 95 societies you can join through our students' union, The SU.
They 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 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 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 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 facilities like 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 SU
- take a class or workshop at The Edge Arts
- buy a music card and book a practice room at The Edge
- apply for funding for a creative project
Join the media group
If you're interested in journalism, TV or radio, you can join the media group to develop new skills and help share the news from around the University.
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 our Raise and Give (RAG) fundraising group
- join the 'V Team'
- apply for a volunteer placement or take on a local volunteering opportunity
You can also receive awards and recognition, like the Bath Award, for your fundraising and volunteering, to support your CV and career prospects.
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.
You can become a student representative during any year of your course.
Posts you can run for include:
- Students' Union Officer
- NUS Conference Delegate
- Academic Representative
- Faculty Representative
- Senate Representative
- Hall Rep
- student group committee member
Make the most of your Students' Union 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.
When you register with the University you automatically become a member of The SU.
You can also apply for a Totum student card (the new name for NUS Extra) which offers discounts on shopping, travel, entertainment and more.
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.