Hosted for the first time ever at UCL East, 11,000 students came together at UCL for Welcome Fair, the headline event of Welcome, to enjoy a day packed with fun, freebies, and endless opportunities.
Over 400 clubs, societies, and student networks welcomed 11,000 new students to UCL, showing you that there is more to university than lectures and libraries - it's a community, built by our student leaders to help you try new things, uncover your passions, and make more happen during your time at UCL. The big question is: which societies were the most popular this year?
Our Sabbatical Officers spent the day meeting thousands of you, sharing everything the Students' Union has to offer across Arts and Sports, Social Impact, Advice, Representation, and Democracy.
Even if you just joined one society (or grabbed just enough freebies you could physically carry), whatever your Welcome Fair looked like, one thing’s for sure, we’re here to support you as you discover what you love and find where you belong.
There’s a world of opportunities waiting for you at UCL. All you have to do is take the next step and explore them.
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What's next?
There are many ways you can get involved at the Students' Union and kick-start your journey at UCL
Find your people - We'll say it time and time again - joining a society is by far the easiest way to meet friends at University. You'll meet people with a mutual interest who are there to meet new people and take part in group activities. Try a range of taster sessions throughout this month by finding them on the What's On Calendar.
Become an Academic Rep - Want to start this term by making a difference? Nominations for the Students' Union’s 2025 Rep Elections are now open, and there are a variety of roles for which you can put yourself forward, including Student Trustee positions (where you'll join the Board of Trustees), Hall Community Officers (becoming a student leader in halls) and Faculty Representatives (where you'll be representing student's academic interests). Nominations are open until Monday 13 October at midday.
Become an Impartial Chair - This programme broadens your horizons, helping you navigate conflict and reflect on your own biases. Through hands-on learning and tailored training, you'll deepen your understanding of division and conflict, develop awareness of the challenges around freedom of speech, build skills to tackle difficult conversations while developing your facilitation and influencing abilities. Travel to Northern Ireland for an experiential learning trip - a place with a complex history of conflicting narratives. Apply by 12 October.