- 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
Our application form asks a few simple questions about your society; how your society differs from other societies at UCL, how your society will be sustainable, and what your core aims and objectives are as a group. You can find guidance on how to answer these questions along with the New Club or Society Application Form itself.
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
- Affiliation windows
While we have three main windows for affiliation for standard groups (common interest societies, sports clubs, cultural groups, etc), we have more opportunities throughout the year for departmental societies to apply. To be eligible, your society must match to a UCL department that does not currently have a society, and your name should reflect this - either being directly named after the department or something very similar.
The Student Activities team and Activities & Engagement Officer will periodically review affiliation applications on or around these deadlines:
Monday 20th October
Monday 24th November
Friday 30th January
Friday 27th February
Friday 27th March
If you have any questions or would like to discuss your departmental society, feel free to get in touch with us.