One of the best parts of going to university is the chance to join wacky societies where you can meet like-minded peers and make friends for life.
Most universities across the country have hundreds of societies to suit everybody’s tastes, with the sole University of Birmingham featuring over 500 clubs and societies on campus.
If you’re specifically into sports and physical activity, the likes of Lancaster, Oxford, Bristol, and Nottingham University might be the perfect place to develop your skills both in class and on the pitch. But if you’re after quirkier societies that allow you to unwind and enjoy your secret guilty pleasures, there are loads of clubs all over the nation that are bound to tickle your curiosity.
Abodus Student Living, a leading expert in providing homely student accommodation, explores some of the most unusual university societies available in the UK. Fancy signing up to one?
AstroSoc (Leeds University)
Most people prefer dancing the night away inside a colourful nightclub or binge-watching a Netflix series in their cosy student flat in Leeds. But what if you’d rather spend the evening looking at the night sky?
Aaron Kirkwood, Head of Sales and Marketing at Abodus Student Living, says that the University of Leeds is home to the perfect society for stargazers.
“If you have a passion for planets, comets, and starry nights, the University of Leeds hosts a club that will take you on cloud nine.
“AstroSoc is the ideal society for students interested in the stars, where you’ll take part in stargazing sessions and attend fascinating lectures from experts in astronomy, astrophysics, and astrophotography.
“The society’s website says that members take regular trips to various planetariums while also arranging wholesome getaways into the Moors and Dales to enjoy unspoiled sky views.”
20 Minutes Society (Newcastle University)
Standing as one of the most popular societies at Newcastle University, the 20 Minutes Society is a unique club that isn’t subject-bound, making it the right pastime for someone with infinite interests – or none at all!
The premise of the society is based on creativity and spontaneity, as it aims to host an improvised and unpredictable social activity each week. Members simply receive a text message and email 20 minutes before the club’s weekly gathering, guiding them to a specific location where they will participate in impromptu events or activities.
The 20 Minutes Society is also known for organising mystery holidays and weekend trips to cool locations such as Budapest, Zagreb, Krakow, and Amsterdam.
HotChocSoc (Edinburgh University)
Doesn’t this society sound delicious? Brits are known for having a sweet tooth for all things chocolate, with about two-fifths of the population confessing to being true chocoholics.
The HotChocSoc at Edinburgh University is the ideal club for anyone who enjoys sipping a hot cup of cocoa. The only prerequisite for joining this exquisite society is to have a knack for milk, dark, or caramel chocolate – and if you like it in a mug, even better!
Winters in the Scottish capital can get very chilly, so it’s no wonder the HotChocSoc is a favourite among students who want to keep warm during the colder months.
The society focuses on good vibes and hot drink recommendations and throws in the regular café get-together, study sessions, and movie nights to unite social fun and sweet treats.
Hide and Seek Society (Exeter University)
Let’s be honest – moving to a new city, studying for a degree, and kickstarting your professional career is all grown-up stuff. What if you are not ready to let go of those childhood blues?
One of the quirkiest clubs out there is the Hide and Seek Society at Exeter University, a wholesome society for anyone looking to conserve their inner child.
As well as meeting up for ‘Hide and Seek’ sessions, members get involved in many other classic games such as ‘Stuck in the Mud’ and ‘Grandma’s Footsteps’. Believe it or not, they even organise their very own Sports Day with competitions that bring back fond memories.
Quidditch Society (Oxford University)
If you have a knack for Harry Potter films, you will no doubt know what Quidditch is all about. If not, it is a sport played high in the air on broomsticks.
Of course, that can’t quite happen in real life, so students at Oxford University and Oxford Brookes scamper around on the ground instead with a broom between their legs.
Apart from the flying elements, all the rules are identical to those described in J. K. Rowling’s books, with Britain’s brightest minds chasing a ‘quaffle’ (i.e., a volleyball) aboard an old stick.
The Quidditch Society holds training sessions twice a week in preparation for quidditch competitions across the country and welcomes students from all backgrounds regardless of their sporting experience.
Shrek Society (Glasgow University)
Arguably one of the most unusual societies across all universities, the Shrek Society at Glasgow University brings together students with a not-so-concealed love for DreamWorks’ famous green ogre.
The society is dedicated to upholding and celebrating the cultural impact of the Shrek cinematic universe, running frequent ogre-themed pub quizzes, study sessions, and even scavenger hunts.
Karaoke night-outs are a regular occurrence, too, allowing members to sing their hearts out to several popular hits from the iconic movies. What’s not to like?
Joining a society is one of the best decisions you can make to meet new people and unplug from the chores of academic life.
With so many quirky clubs on offer, you are bound to find one that floats your boat. Would you sign up to one of the weird, wacky societies mentioned above?
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