How do I join a society?
You can join a society via the Guild website. All you need to do is:
- Explore our 300+ student groups
- Visit the page of the group you’d like to join
- In the ‘Buy Memberships’ section select the standard membership and click ‘join’
- Visit your basket and check out
I’m nervous about joining a society…
We know it can feel nerve-wracking to put yourself out there, meet new people and try new things – but you are not alone. Many students will feel the same, especially during Welcome Week.
Some of our top tips when it comes to overcoming nervousness when joining a society are:
- Explore our student groups online and maybe reach out to them via social media ahead of Welcome to learn a little more about them.
- Make sure you attend all three days of our Societies Fair. This is a great way to meet and speak to group members and see what the society is all about.
- Consider attending our quiet half an hour between 10:30-11am. With reduced capacity and noise levels, this low sensory option is for anyone who may prefer a more relaxed experience.
- Attend Give it a Go taster sessions during Welcome and beyond as they allow you to try out different activities in a relaxed setting. This way you can see if a group is for you without the commitment of having to join a group first.
- And remember, you don’t have to make an immediate decision, it’s never too late to join a group!
I’m worried about the time commitment
Please don’t be! The time commitment can be as little or as much as you like, you can get involved with groups at your convenience around your studies.
The time commitment will also depend on how many societies you join (oftentimes students may join two or three), how many events you go to and what roles you may decide to take on within your group.
For example, students can become committee members and support with running a group, which will naturally require more time, so we’d advise you to consider what the role encompasses by speaking to the existing society committee you are interested in getting involved in.
Remember that being a part of a society is meant to be fun, so make sure you do what’s best and most manageable for you.
How many groups can I join?
It’s completely up to you. We’d encourage you to join as many, or as little as you’d like. You can make a start by attending our Societies Fair and our Give it a Go taster sessions to see which groups you’re interested in.
Many students join two-three societies for the best balance alongside their studies, but you can always start off by joining one and build up to more. Our main advice would be to explore the various groups out there, but not overstretch yourself as each group will have its own time commitment.
Can international students or those on a year / semester abroad join?
Yes! All students, no matter how long you’ll be in Birmingham, are welcome to join a society. We also have a range of cultural student groups that you can explore.
Can students who aren’t in first year join societies?
Absolutely! Any student can join a society no matter what year you’re in.
Do I have to pay to join a society?
This depends on the group. Associations are free to join, but you can see the cost to join other groups via our Student Groups page.
I want to re-join a group
If you're a returning student and wish to continue your membership with a society, you will have to re-join the student group for the year ahead. To do this, first re-register with the University, then proceed to log into the Guild website and purchase your membership once your account reactivates.