Best Uni Societies to Join (to Actually Make Friends)
The best uni societies to join for making friends are the ones that meet every week and give you something to do together: sports clubs, performing arts, volunteering, cultural societies and hobby groups like baking, board games or climbing. Pick one "weekly" society you'll actually show up to and one "fun" society for socials. Consistency beats signing up for twelve at freshers' fair.
If you sign up for societies and then bail because walking into a room of strangers feels like too much, Aura finds what's actually leaking (your entrance, your eye contact, your voice) and fixes it one move a day: Find my aura leak.
Why societies beat freshers events
Freshers' events (or orientation in the US and frosh in Canada) throw you into huge crowds once. Societies put you in a small room with the same people every week. Friendship mostly comes from repeated time together, and societies give you that on a schedule.
Other perks:
- A built-in topic. You never have to think of something to say. You talk about the thing.
- Mixed years. Second and third years know the best food spots, lecturers and housing tips.
- Socials with a purpose. A society pub quiz or pizza night is easier than a random club night.
- Something to put on your CV. Committee roles look great later.
Most social society types (ranked)
Here's how the main types compare when your goal is friends, not just a line on a CV.
| Society type | How social | Meets weekly? | Good for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sports clubs (netball, rugby, rowing, ultimate frisbee) | Very high | Yes, plus socials | Team bonding, big socials |
| Performing arts (drama, musical theatre, choir, dance) | Very high | Yes, intense before shows | Close-knit groups |
| Volunteering societies | High | Usually | Meaningful chats, mixed people |
| Cultural and international societies | High | Often | Community, food events |
| Hobby societies (baking, board games, climbing, film) | Medium to high | Yes | Low-pressure friends |
| Course societies (law soc, med soc, CompSci soc) | Medium | Socials-focused | Friends in your degree |
| Student media (radio, newspaper, TV) | Medium to high | Yes | Creative people, skills |
| Debating, model UN | Medium | Yes | Confidence, quick thinkers |
1. Sports clubs
The most social option at most UK unis, and the best clubs to join in university if you want a ready-made friend group. Many have beginner squads. Ultimate frisbee and netball are known for welcoming total beginners.
2. Performing arts
Drama, musical theatre, a cappella and dance societies rehearse together for weeks, then go through the stress of a show. That creates very close friendships.
3. Volunteering
Teaching kids, park clean-ups, food banks. You talk while doing something useful, which takes the pressure off.
4. Cultural and international societies
Great whether you're from that culture or just curious. Food nights, festivals and celebrations are easy socials to attend solo.
5. Hobby societies
Board games, baking, knitting, anime, climbing, photography. These are the low-key best societies at university for people who don't love loud nights out.
Best societies for introverts
If big socials drain you, look for societies where the activity does the talking:
- Board games society: structured, turn-based chat, easy to join a table.
- Book club or creative writing: one topic, small groups.
- Climbing or bouldering: you chat between climbs, then focus.
- Baking or cooking society: hands busy, food at the end.
- Volunteering: short shifts with a clear job.
- Film society: watch first, talk after.
Introvert tip: arrive five minutes early. The room is smaller and quieter, and it's easier to talk to the one other early person than to walk into a full room.
Arriving is often the hard bit. You stand outside the door, your stomach drops and you think about just going home. Or you go in and spend the whole session looking at your phone.
Aura works out which bit is yours from 16 questions, whether it's shrinking at the door, eye contact that slips or feeling drained after, then gives you a 14-move plan with moves like "Pause at the door". One tap each night tracks your streak. Find my aura leak
Sports clubs vs societies
In the UK, sports clubs often sit under the Athletic Union and societies under the Students' Union. In the US and Canada, you'll see "intramurals", "club sports" and "student clubs."
Pick a sports club if: you like team energy, big nights out and fixed training times.
Pick a society if: you want a specific interest, quieter socials or more flexible commitment.
Do both if you can. One active club plus one interest society is a strong combo.
Cost note: sports clubs often have higher membership fees (kit, travel, pitch hire). Societies are usually cheaper. Many unis offer free taster sessions in the first few weeks, so try before you pay.
How many societies should you join at uni?
There's usually no hard limit on how many societies you can join, but your time is limited.
A good rule:
- Sign up to the mailing lists of as many as you like at freshers' fair. It's free.
- Go to taster sessions of 4 to 6.
- Commit properly to 1 to 3.
Going every week to one society beats going once to ten. People can't become your friends if they only see you once.
Joining after freshers' week
Missed freshers' fair? Changed your mind in November? You can still join. Most societies welcome new members all year.
How to join a society late:
- Message the committee on Instagram or email: "Hey, I'm a first year and missed freshers, can I still come along this week?"
- Look for second-semester or "refreshers" events in January, which many UK unis run.
- Bring a friend from your flat or course if walking in alone feels hard.
- Introduce yourself to one committee member on arrival. Their job is to welcome you.
- Go three times before judging it. The first session is always the most awkward.
If you live in halls or a dorm, mixing society friends with flat friends is the move. Our guide on how to make friends in the dorms covers that side. And if you haven't started yet, the summer before uni is a great time to follow societies on Instagram so you know what you want.
Turn up to the society, not just the sign-up sheet
Picking from the best uni societies to join is easy. Walking in every week with presence is the real skill. In the next minute Aura asks 16 questions, names your leak and gives you an aura tier and a 14-move plan, with one-tap nightly check-ins and a streak. It's a one-time payment with nothing to cancel.
FAQ
What are the best societies to join to make friends?
Sports clubs, performing arts, volunteering, cultural societies and hobby groups like board games or baking. The best ones meet weekly so you see the same faces, and have socials where the activity gives you something to talk about.
How many societies can you join at uni?
Most universities let you join as many as you want, as long as you pay any membership fees. In practice, committing to 1 to 3 works best so you can actually show up regularly.
Is it worth joining societies at uni?
Yes, if you go regularly. Societies are one of the easiest ways to make friends outside your flat or course, meet older students and build skills. Just signing up and never going won't do much.
Can you join a uni society late?
Yes. Most societies accept new members all year. Message the committee, go to a refreshers event in January or just turn up to a weekly session and introduce yourself.
What are the best clubs to join in university for introverts?
Board games, book clubs, climbing, baking, film and volunteering societies. They focus on an activity, run in small groups and don't require you to be loud to fit in.