It's the start of the year and a new term at UCL. It's time to prepare for a familiar yet unique challenge – reintegrating into life at Uni and 9:00am lectures. Luckily, term two offers a fresh start and another chance to explore new opportunities. Below, you'll find a whole range of things to look forward to.
Build connections and join a group
You've found your feet, and now it's time to find your people. With more than 400 student groups, clubs, and societies on offer and endless ways to get involved, this is your chance to make new friends and try something new. Our January taster sessions will make it easy to try new activities and discover what you enjoy (look out for these when term starts). It's never too late to meet new people or take up a new hobby. Check out our welcome page bringing together a whole host of events and tasters, with listings being added every day.
Society
ExtenDED Learning Opportunities
ExtendED is a collaboration between UCL and us, offering a diverse range of learning opportunities next year. The programme exists so you can gain experience beyond assessments and dissertations. You'll build valuable skills and competencies without the pressure of grades. We'll be running one-off workshops, conferences, in-depth consultancy challenges, innovation labs, and more. This means you can really get ahead by adding new experience to your CV, while making your summer count.
Discover London
Whether you’re new to the city or just want to explore more of it, we’re here to help you discover the best it has to offer.
As a student at UCL, you're not just joining a community of fellow UCL students, you’re stepping into one of the most vibrant, diverse, and exciting cities on the planet. To help you settle in and make the most of your time in London, join our fun and easy-to-access, and low-cost Discover London events that showcase the best of our city. See iconic sights, discover hidden gems, and make friends while doing it! More discover London events are being added, so watch this space. We can't wait to help you get out there!
Kickstart your fitness goals at TeamUCL Gym
After being fully refurbished last January, the TeamUCL Gym is open with two dedicated studio spaces, top-of-the-line equipment, and personal training available - the new space is the perfect place to get a bit more active in the new year. This January, you can train with us for just £21.50 a month for 6 months, available until the end of January. This is guaranteed to be the best price available all year.
No pressure, just progress with Project Active
If you're looking for something low cost, beginner-friendly, and welcoming, Project Active is back with a varied timetable of Weekly Classes, Give it a Go Sessions, and Learn to workshops. You don't need any prior experience...just turn up and enjoy the benefits!
This Girl Can Week is running from Monday 26 January to Sunday 1 February with the aim of celebrating women in sport, and inspiring all students to try something new. The theme is 'We Like the Way You Move' - rewriting the narrative of what women getting active looks like and championing women from underrepresented groups. Look out for a range of activities to get involved with this term.
Express your interest in becoming a student leader
Each year, thousands of students put themselves forward in the Leadership Race - an opportunity to be part of the leadership team for our incredible clubs, societies and networks.
All areas of student life, from clubs, societies and networks to the whole of the Students' Union, are led by an incredible group of student leaders, and you can be a student leader too.
Express your interest today to know more about the nomination process. Nominations open 26 Jan 2026.
Have your say on how things are ran at UCL
Throughout term two, you'll also have a chance to make an impact by putting your ideas forward for change. Discuss them at our Zone meetings, encompassing an Activities Zone, an Education Zone, and a Welfare and Communities Zone. Got an idea on how UCL can change for the better? Submit it for discussion at one of our upcoming meetings.
Give back to your community
The Social Impact team at Students’ Union UCL works directly with hundreds of UK-based charities and non-profit organisations, with a constant stream of exciting opportunities for students to get involved with as we head into the new year. From one-off volunteering opportunities to community research initiatives, there are a whole host of ways in which you can get involved.
Get behind Mathura as she runs the London Marathon
On 26 April, over 55,000 people will take part in the London Marathon 2026. One of them will be the first ever student to run the marathon on behalf of a students' union - meet Mathura.
She's a fifth year medical student taking on the challenge of running the TCS London Marathon 2026 to raise money for the Student Participation Fund - helping students facing financial barriers get involved in extra curricular activity, all of which makes life here at UCL unforgettable. There'll be plenty of opportunities to get involved with her fundraising campaign and support her journey - watch this space!
Get curious about cultural identity
As London's Global University, International Festival is an incredibly important celebration in our calendar. Every year, we host a week-long programme of activities and events in which we showcase and celebrate the diversity of our UCL community. This year, International Festival will take place from 23 - 26 February.
Celebrate with our networks
February is the annual month-long celebration of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender history. It is a dedicated time to acknowledge, celebrate and share the impact of LGBTQ+ culture. Our LGBTQ+ network leads activity across campus to mark the month, and we can't wait to share plans to celebrate soon....
March is Women's History Month, with International Women's Day falling on Sunday 8 March. Our Women's Network have hosted everything from karaoke nights to board game sessions in the past to celebrate, so stay tuned to see what they've got in store.
ArtsUCL Season returns for term two
Season two of artsUCL promises an incredible line-up of student-led performances. Look out for Rhapsody (Live Music Society), Takhta: MNight (UCL Malaysian Society), Monty Python's SPAMALOT (UCL Musical Theatre Society), and plenty more.
Support TeamUCL at Varsity
In March, TeamUCL will go head to head with Kings for a week, competing in a number of different sports. After our incredible varsity win last year, the stakes are higher than ever as we aim to defend the trophy and hold onto our title as winners. This is a series you won't want to miss! Come along to a game and cheer our teams on.
UCL200 Celebrations in February
Looking forward to campus renovations being completed? So are we. We're planning a whole range of events to headline the celebration of UCL's 200th birthday!
Look forward to a HUGE Summer Festival like no other at UCL in June 2026, with tickets going on sale this term. Campus will be transformed into a festival site for the biggest and most exciting events in Students' Union history. Forget Glastonbury - think live music, guest speakers, and brand new events right here on the Main Quad. Trust us, you'll want to be there!
That’s not all. We’re also planning:
- artsUCL Fringe Festival – two weeks of experimental student-led comedy, drama, music, and dance across campus.
- A milestone Varsity – a bigger and better celebration of the historic friendly sporting rivalry between UCL and King’s.
- UCL: The Musical – yes, you read that right. A brand-new show written, produced, and performed by UCL students and alumni at the Bloomsbury Theatre.
Take part in the UCL Campus Run
The UCL Campus Run will offer all UCL students, staff, and alumni the opportunity to take part in either the 5km or 10km route on the inspiring Olympic Park at UCL East. The event is open to all levels of ability and experience; last year, more than 300 UCL students and staff came together at the iconic Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park to be part of a community celebrating each other. Tickets go on sale
Tuesday 27 January.
Wondering how you can be a part of the activity?
With so much going on, it can feel difficult to feel like you're in the loop. Our weekly Events Newsletters and 'What's On' stories on our instagram highlight all of the upcoming opportunities on campus, and our 'What's On' Calendar outlines everything you can get involved with.