What are departmental societies?
Departmental societies are student communities connected to a specific department or study area at UCL. They provide a space for students to connect through their specific interests and develop a stronger sense of belonging., while also developing knowledge, skills, and experience in their field.
These societies host a range of co-curricular activity relating to their subject of study, along with more social opportunities to network, experience new things, and create lasting memories at university within a community of like-minded students. Our groups have held conferences, recruitment fairs, guest speaker panels, field trips, collaborations with other universities and institutions, dinner socials, graduation parties, film screenings, competitions, and much more - if you can think of an activity, one of our departmental societies has probably organised it!
How do I get involved?
We have a growing number of departmental societies at Students’ Union UCL, along with academic-related societies who share an interest in a subject area without being paired with a department. Have a look at our clubs and societies directory to see if there are any that interest you.
If students do not have an existing departmental society in their department or faculty, we always encourage them to start their own. Simply gathering a group of like-minded students in your department and brainstorming your plans and priorities for a society is a great place to start, and you might also want to talk to staff or Academic Reps in your department.
Affiliating a new departmental society
The following steps are required to successfully affiliate a new departmental society:
1. Gather a committee
This should consist of three mandatory officers – a president, treasurer and welfare officer. You can find out more about these roles in our Clubs and Societies Regulations.
2. Complete our webform
Once you select the option to start a departmental society rather than a standard club or society, a set of specific questions will appear. For advice on completing each of the questions, read our Affiliation Guidance.
3. Collect 30 signatures
You'll need to collect 30 signatures in support of your society. Students who sign are not committing themselves to joining your society, but simply showing their support for its affiliation to the Union. You can upload your signatures in the template provided at the end of the webform.
Affiliating a pre-existing departmental society
Students may have already formed societies around their departmental interests, but might not yet be affiliated with the Union. Once a society becomes affiliated to the Union, they can access a range of benefits, resources, and support systems, including:
- Union website access
- Ability to sell and monitor membership
- Ability to sell tickets for event
- Ability to book rooms
- Training opportunities
- Event management
- Health and Safety
- Financial support
- Ability to view financial statements
- Eligibility for Departmental Society Grant
- Access to a society email address
- Dedicated stall at our Welcome Fair
- Insurance policy
- Union-facilitated elections
- Dedicated support staff
- Departmental Society Development Awards scheme
To affiliate a pre-existing departmental society, follow the same three steps as above.
Affiliation Windows
The Student Activities team and Activities & Engagement Officer will review affiliation applications throughout the academic year. You can find a timeline below of when you can expect affiliation to be completed, based on the timing of your application:
Applications made by Monday 21st October → we will aim to affiliate your society by the end of November
Applications made by Monday 25th November → we will aim to affiliate your society by the beginning of Term 2
Applications made by Friday 31st January → we will aim to affiliate your society by the end of February
Applications made by Friday 28th March → we will aim to affiliate your society by the beginning of Term 3
Applications made by Wednesday 30th April: we will aim to affiliate your society by the end of Term 3
Applications made by Friday 29th August → we will aim to affiliate your society by Welcome Fair 2025
Departmental Society Grant
The Departmental Society Grant is open throughout the year for all affiliated departmental societies, who can apply for funding to support projects designed to fullfil your society’s core objectives and foster a sense of belonging in their department. The grant can be used for initiatives such as alumni and guest speaker events, taster sessions from trained fitness instructors, workshops, and collaborations with other societies. Here are some examples of how departmental societies have used the Grant in recent years:
The Bartlett School of Architecture Society ran a Welcome Week event in which they personalised Bartlett hoodies whilst getting to know fellow course members
Crook Society used the grant to subsidise an end of term ice-skating event. After a difficult transition back into face-to-face teaching, this event allowed students in a small course to bond and cultivate connections outside of the classroom