Why do students join niche university societies?
With nearly 3 million students in the UK, the options are endless
When one thinks of university societies, the classics that spring to mind might include Debating, Film, or Rowing. But how do the more unique and alternative societies get set up, and why do students choose to join?
I went to Imperial College to talk to the Sea Shanty society about what the society means to them.
The process of getting set up for lots of niche societies like Sea Shanty tends to follow the same pattern - there’s not enough money or members interested. Alfie Dickens founded Bristol University’s 20 Minutes Society, where members only know what they’re going to be participating in, when, and where 20 minutes before the social starts. He wanted to “create something that would attract like minded people who were up for getting involved in some more unusual events” but admits that he had a “difficult first year” as his original committee abandoned the society and the student union suggested it be shut down. After convincing them to let him continue on his own, the society went from strength to strength, and they have amassed 142 paying members, who take part in events from real life MarioKart to mystery holidays to a Great Baguette run - where students have two hours to get as far away from Bristol as possible with a baguette by any transportation means.
Bristol 20 Minutes Society, Alfie Dickens
Bristol 20 Minutes Society, Alfie Dickens
Similarly, Grace Edwards, the President and Founder of Exeter’s Roller Skating society, believed that at a university of at least 20,000 people: “I couldn’t be the only one who wanted somewhere to skate”. She now credits setting up the “welcoming and inclusive” space as lending her “a wealth of skills” that has shaped who she is today. Also at Exeter, Ellie Middleton founded the Toucan Appreciation society, dedicated to her favourite animal. She says: “I think people often join out of curiosity as it’s a bit of an unusual society”. As the group is smaller than the more mainstream clubs, she believes this encourages “close-knit” friendships, made up of “lots of interesting people”. Exeter’s Scare society recognises that it is “the freakiest society on campus”. The group hosts regular screenings of horror movies, book clubs, and novelty events that allow members to bond over the horror genre. Isabel Bratt, the public secretary, says: “It’s certainly niche but all the better for it!”
Exeter Toucan Appreciation Society, Ellie Middleton
Exeter Toucan Appreciation Society, Ellie Middleton
I also went along to Thorpe Lakes with Imperial College's Wakeboarding Society. Here's what they had to say about why they partake.
For most students, it is clear that joining these unique societies is escapism, a chance to get away from the stresses of exams. For Jacky Wong, president of the WenHua Chinese Drama Society at Imperial College, the drama club became “one of the most unique and transformative experiences” of university life.
“I remember in year 3 when I was buried in coursework and exam revisions, going to rehearsals every Wednesday would be my escape from the burdens of my school life”, he says. As part of a society that produces modern adaptations of Chinese plays, he thinks: “it helps me imagine myself doing something wildly different from my day-to-day college life”.
Elena Sedman, President of Bristol’s Wild Swimming Society, believes that their society helps to maintain a balance between work and social life. The group goes wild swimming every Sunday, which Sedman believes is a fun and healthy alternative to the more “competitive nature of a swim club”. Many other students have stressed the importance of these societies on their mental health. Dickens thinks: “Mental health is a big aspect of our society - to always have an option of jumping into a 20 minute social and meeting some new people when you’re feeling down, lonely or simply just stuck in a routine”.
Exeter Roller Skating, Grace Edwards
Exeter Roller Skating, Grace Edwards
The consensus from all students is that the university experience, which includes society participation, is equal to, if not more important than their degree. Archie Burton, President and re-founder of the Bristol Cheese society, says that: “the university experience has almost nothing to do with the course and everything to do with the societies you are in and the people you meet along the way”. He maintains this ethos through the fondue evenings, wine tastings, cheese tastings the society puts on. Burton himself is a member of 19 societies, and firmly believes that university is the time for students to explore different passions without being restricted by accessibility or high costs.
Whilst they may not be as known as Football or Literature, many of these smaller societies make a positive impact by doing work with the local community. Bristol’s Wild Swimming works with the Rave on the Avon to protect our rivers, and Exeter’s Toucan Appreciation hosts fundraising events for animal welfare and conservation organisations that care for rainforest creatures. Robogals is a unique society at Bristol university that runs robotics and coding workshops for schools, with an emphasis on diversity in STEM.
They have reached over 300 students in the past year, collaborating with major engineering firms to empower women and girls interested in the field. Their President, Malcolm Kazimil, believes that involvement in these niche societies lends students invaluable skills that will set them apart in their future careers: “Having a wide range of societies is essential because university is about more than just academics - it’s about exploring new interests, meeting different people, and growing as a person".
Two things jump out as barriers for these less mainstream societies - funding and membership. Wong revealed that this year was the first year the Chinese Drama society made a profit. For its members, there is no financial incentive to join - they join for the love and appreciation of Chinese culture, but Wong acknowledges the need to “find new avenues for our society to be seen by the larger community” and to cut costs. Kazimil also admits that due to volunteer availability, it can be difficult to meet outreach demand for their robotics workshops.
However, for those thinking of starting their own alternative society, students resoundingly say - go for it! Dickens argues that: “if you genuinely think you can make it happen, don’t let people try and talk you out of doing it. There are always going to be people out there who would love to get involved and you will find them eventually”.
Likewise, for those hesitant about joining a different society, the advice is the same. Sedman proposes that “you may even find your new passion” by exploring a new hobby. Edwards stresses that students need not tone down their passion for hobbies that go against the grain, as it is often enthusiasm that determines if societies can thrive.
Bristol Robogals, Malcolm Kazimil
Bristol Robogals, Malcolm Kazimil
Bristol 20 Minutes, Alfie Dickens
Bristol 20 Minutes, Alfie Dickens
Bristol Wild Swimming, Elena Sedman
Bristol Wild Swimming, Elena Sedman
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