Clubs and societies during Welcome Week
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5 reasons you should join a club or society at university

Get involved in university life

Want to meet like-minded people? Or develop a hobby or passion? Joining a university club or society lets you do this and so much more!

Students at club and society stalls during Welcome

Becoming an active part of a university group is a great way to get involved in the university community, meet new people and build new skills. Here are five reasons you should join a club or society at the University of Sydney. 

1. Discover new interests

With so many clubs and societies to choose from, it’s hard to not find something you’re interested in. While it’s great to join groups that share your interests, it’s equally fun to step out of your comfort zone and try something new.  

The University of Sydney Union (USU) offers hundreds of clubs and societies, categorised into the following nine groups:

  • Academic
  • Art, Music & Performance
  • Culture & Language
  • Faith & Religion
  • Hobbies & Special Interest
  • Political
  • Professional
  • Social Impact & Advocacy
  • Sport & Recreation

If sports are more your speed, Sydney Uni Sport & Fitness have more than 40 different sports clubs you can join, from boxing to badminton, to cricket and canoeing.

Volleyballers from Sydney Uni Sport & Fitness

2. Make new friends

Meeting new people can feel daunting, but joining a university club or society is a fun and stress-free way to connect with people and form new friendships. Most clubs and societies host regular social events and activities, so you’ll have plenty of opportunities to get to know other students, many of whom have also joined to make friends at uni. 

3. Belong to a community 

Joining a university club or society is a great way to form support networks that will be there for you over the course of your degree.  

From interest-based clubs to societies that are more focused on your area of study, you’re sure to find a group of people you can connect with and rely upon for academic and personal support when you need it.

4. Learn and practise skills 

Classes aren’t the only place on campus where you can learn and refine skills. Joining a university club or society gives you the opportunity to build new professional, academic and interest-based skills in a different setting – be it on the sports field or in a shared community space.

Most employers are looking for evidence that you've applied the skills you've learned from your studies in real-world scenarios. Getting involved in a leadership role in a university club or society is a great way to do this.

Students from the Sydney University Musical Society singing at Welcome

5. It's easy to join

Finally, university clubs and societies are easy to join! All you need to join is a free USU membership, which you can sign up for online at any time. Some clubs and societies may require a small fee to join, which goes towards organising their activities. 

After joining, most student societies will share event details on social media or through digital newsletters, so make sure you stay up to date via these channels.

Check out the USU’s clubs and societies list to see all available groups in 2024.

Last updated 18 January 2024.

11 February 2020

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