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We're excited to welcome you all onto UCL campus once again!
It's never too late to get involved and make the most of your university experience. Make this the year where you try a new club or society, and join in on all the action by checking out our What's On Calendar.
In the meantime, let's catch you up on what you may have missed over the summer.
Say hello to your new Sabbatical Officers
We said a fond farewell to our wonderful Sabbatical Officer team for 2025-26 and welcomed in our new team for 2026-27. Sabbatical Officers are elected student representatives who take a year out from their studies to work full-time on behalf of UCL students. They represent your interests at the highest levels of the university, sitting in senior meetings where key decisions are made and ensuring your voice is heard. Get to know your new Sabbatical Officers and take a look at how they hope to shape your student experience at UCL.
We got active for 200,000 minutes!
In celebration of UCL's 200th birthday, we completed the UCL200 Active Minutes Challenge by getting active for 200,000 minutes in total! The 200 Active Minutes Challenge invited all UCL students and staff to complete 200 minutes of physical activity over two weeks from 20 July to 3 August. By signing up and logging your hours, you contributed to our overall target of reaching 200,000 active minutes. Well done everyone!
We explored plans for a new Union building
As our community has continued to grow, the need for a central student space has become more important than ever. Following sustained campaigning from your Sabbatical Officers, UCL has taken a significant step forward in exploring plans for a new Students’ Union building, with UCL Council approving initial development work for a new home at the heart of student life. This is a really exciting first step forward towards creating a space that you can truly call your own, and that can support the incredible things UCL students do!
Your student loan bill might be changing
Big changes could be coming to the student loan system, including how much you repay. We've been calling for student loan reform for years. The current system is outdated, unfair, and leaves students and graduates carrying huge debts for decades. The Secretary of State for Education, Lucy Powell, told the BBC that reforming the student loan system is one of her top priorities. Whilst we're delighted to see the issue firmly on the political agenda, this is only the beginning. That's why, at Students' Union UCL, we're continuing to campaign for a student loan system that is transparent, affordable, and fair. Take a look at our work so far and what this could mean for you.
We launched our 2026 Nightlife Wristbands
We've got a whole host of Welcome events planned for you to get involved in! Don't forget to check our What's On Calendar for the full programme.
Every year as a part of our Welcome Week, Students' Union UCL collaborates with London’s top club promoter Milkshake to bring you exclusive access to the best Freshers’ club nights at London’s most iconic venues. From Ministry of Sound to Fabric and Egg, these venues will play host to over 1000 UCL students during the week, making them some of the best opportunities to experience London's nightlife, and to celebrate joining UCL. Secure your Nightlife Wristband now!
We opened applications for our Leaders in Dialogue programme
Applications for the new cohort of our sector-leading skills programme, Leaders in Dialogue (formerly Impartial Chairs), have opened. Students will get access to skills workshops delivered by experts, a fully funded six day trip to Northern Ireland, and paid opportunities to put their skills into practice throughout the year - by hosting podcasts, chairing events, and more. Do you have an interest in gaining leadership skillsd reducing polarisation? Apply now!
We hope that has caught you up to speed! Campus will be buzzing with life very soon and we hope you're just as excited as we are.