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Welfare and Community at the Heart of Campus
On the third of June 1893 UCL's Council approved the formation of the Men's Union Society for ‘the promotion of social intercourse and of the means of recreation, physical and mental, of the students of the University College, and the financial success of students’ clubs’. This ambition to support students has remained the same until this day. Our core purpose as a Union is to promote the interests and welfare of all students at UCL during their course of study and representing, supporting and advising students.
As your Welfare & Community Officer, I have been reflecting upon the Union's significant contributions to support the welfare of student and contribute towards a community at the heart of campus.
Reconstructing Student Life
Reading through Sam Blaxland's 'Students' Union UCL: A Short History', I was reminded that following the aftermath of World War II, the Union established to help students 'on questions relating to grants, housing and...personal difficulty.' Which is remarkably similar to what our Advice Service offers now. From the 1970s were was a large expansion of student welfare provision at the Union. This developed in parallel with new discussions about issues like women's rights and concern over sexual violence on campus, which led to a high-profile campaign and occupation in 1979.
Prevention and Intervention Support Team
Fast forward to now and we have a sector leading Active Bystander Programme with over 50,000 students trained and empowered to recognise and challenge unacceptable behaviours including bullying, harassment, discrimination, and sexual misconduct, on campus and beyond. In January 2026, we officially launched our Sexual Violence Officer service to support students who have experienced sexual violence or gender-based abuse at any time in their lives.
London's Global University
We also recognise that over the past 200 years, our student body has changed significant. UCL is home to 55,000 students from all corners of the work. That's why the work we do to support and champion international students is incredibly important to me. In May 2025, we joined other Russell Group Students’ Unions Sabbatical Officers at parliament to launch 'Globally Competitive', a report calling for a fairer deal for international students. This piece of research had eight key recommendations to improve the international student experience, from application through to graduation and beyond.
I'm incredibly proud that the Union has played such a key role in supporting student welfare and community building since our inception over 130 years ago. I'm excited about UCL's next 200 years and I am certain that the Union will continue to put welfare and community at the heart of campus!
The Leadership Race
We are proud of our 200 years of student leadership at UCL. We know that student life needs student leaders. Are you interested in continuing the journey?