Study

Clubs and societies

In Exeter, thousands of students sign up to around 300 different Guild-affiliated societies. These societies cover a wide range of activities enabling our students to get fully involved with university life. Societies range from the conventional (such as English Soc, Ski Club, Photosoc and Jazz Orchestra), to the more esoteric (such as the Chocolate Society and Hide and Seek Society). You can get involved with the running of any of these and if there’s a society you want that we don’t have, we’ll help you set it up. The full list is available on the Guild website.

If you love sport our active Athletic Union runs 52 sports clubs, covering activities from American Football to surfing. Find out more about sport at Exeter.

The range of clubs and societies is a cornerstone of the Penryn Campus, with The SU providing practical support, as well as subsidies for many activities to help reduce the cost of getting involved. Clubs vary from the traditional sports of rugby, football and hockey to the more unusual paddleboarding and Tremorz (street dance). Other popular groups include the Hip Hop Society, Exploration, Bee Soc and the Renewable Energy and Sustainability Society. There’s an ever-growing list of student clubs, so if we don’t currently have the one you want, The SU will help you set your own up once you’re here! The full list is available on The SU website.

Student media

Our award-winning student media network is one of the most vibrant in the country. Based on the Streatham Campus, X-Media is made up of three student run media outlets Xpression FM, Exeposé and XTV, providing Exeter with high quality radio, news and TV shows, respectively. Involvement in the Guild’s media outlets has provided the springboard for the careers of several famous Exeter graduates, including Thom Yorke of Radiohead, who was a DJ, and Emma B, who was a Guild Sabbatical Officer. Several of the station managers who have been in control at XTV are now working in the television industry for companies such as the BBC, Carlton and FoxTel in Sydney. Previous members have also used XTV to build portfolios for film school applications and to get into television work. To find out more, please visit the Student Media website.

In Cornwall, students run a newspaper called Flex and a radio station called Radiowave. Flex has an amazing 130 contributors from across all the programmes at the Penryn Campus who regularly submit work. It offers the opportunity for ambitious students to showcase their talent while gaining valuable work experience.

Volunteering

Raise and Give (RAG) is our student fundraising group in Exeter. In 2016/17 RAG raised £255,982 through the hard work of more than 1,000 students who volunteered their time to raise money for local, national and international charities. Exeter RAG host a multitude of events each year and organise international fundraising excursions, including treks to Machu Picchu and Everest Base Camp, marathons and more. Exeter Student Volunteers (ESV) run  community volunteering projects including: Summer Adventures – a summer camp for young carers, community cleaning and dog-walking projects.

In Cornwall, The SU Community Action provides plenty of opportunities to volunteer locally and fundraise for national and international charities through Raising and Donating (RAD) activities. The SU takes pride in its close links with the community. Regular partners include The National Trust, Surfers Against Sewage and the Monkey Sanctuary, and last year students undertook in excess of 266 volunteer days. But the opportunities vary so widely mainly because it's the students who decide who they volunteer with and fundraise for. Recently this has included Rally 4 Shelterbox and RNLI, as well as an appearance on the BBC’s Children in Need. Each year sees increasing numbers of students volunteer; being part of the RAD team gives you the opportunity to make a difference, gain experience, make new friends and boost your CV. For more information please visit The SU website.

Why our students join clubs and societies

Don't take our word for it, find out why our student bloggers love being a part of our clubs and societies

» Penryn Campus Stitching Society

"We made great friends and laugh to tears almost every session – it’s really more of a social society than anything else."
by Thaïs (February 2018)

» What’s student life like in Exeter? Here are the answers to some FAQs from international students

"There are over 200 societies so you shouldn’t have a problem finding one that you’re interested in joining"
by Jasmine (December 2018)

» Some tips and advice for the new students (Cornwall Campus)

"A lot of societies are doing tester sessions during the first month for free! Definitely try as many as you can and after you can choose one you can sign up for."
by Olga (September 2018)

» My Journey from the US to the UK

"Exeter has a number of clubs and societies, from the vegan baking club to the Harry Potter association."
by Emma (May 2017)