There are around 200 societies, and most recently (in June 2013) 17 new societies were approved which include: Darts, Libertarian, Meditation, Pole Fitness, Turkish, Baha'i, and Orthodox Christians, amongst others.
Categories
The Guild groups the societies:
- Departmental - course societies e.g. the Business society, or BEDsoc the English society (Birmingham English Department society).
- Indoor Activities - e.g. the Coffee society, or the Poker society.
- Campaigning and fundraising - e.g Amnesty International or Age UK.
- Community Volunteering - e.g. Buddy a Granny, or the Saturday Morning Playscheme.
- Music and Dance - e.g. the Ballroom & Latin American Dance Society, and Dubsoc.
- Cultural and International - e.g. the Nordic society, and the Mexican society.
- Liberation and Representation - e.g. the Ethnic Minorities association, and the Postgraduate & Mature students association.
- Media - e.g. Redbrick, the student newspaper, or Guild TV, the television network.
- Drama and Performance - e.g. the A'capella society, or the Article 19 Theatre group.
- Political - e.g. the Debating society, as well as those for various political ideologies.
- Outdoor Activities - e.g. the Battle Re-Enactment society, or the Lifesaving society.
- Religious and Faith - e.g. the Anglican society, or the Sikh society.
Membership cost
Fees vary. Apart from those exempt - such as associations (which aren't completely societies anyway), volunteering/campaigning groups, and religious groups if they want - societies must charge fees. These act as cash flow for the events that the society wants to organise, and subsidises what you would pay at the event itself.The lower limit is £3, which is charged by the Tea Society for example. The average per society is probably not that much above that. There may be niche groups that are more expensive, such as the Skydiving society which charges £35 annually.
How to join
Go to the societies fairs in welcome week, which are expected to be on Thursday and Friday in the Guild of Students. Last year so many societies attended that they were spread across different days, so if that happens again, it is advised you attend both days.
They may do a taster event, so you won't necessarily have to sign up at the fair.
It's likely they have social media accounts as well which you could use to find out about their activities.
You can join a society through the Guild's website.
They may do a taster event, so you won't necessarily have to sign up at the fair.
It's likely they have social media accounts as well which you could use to find out about their activities.
You can join a society through the Guild's website.
Setting up a society
Doing so would give you access to funding, resources and the support of the Guild of Students. You only need 20 members, who must each contribute the minimum of £3 each. To find out how to form your society, read up on the Guild's Starting a new student group.
