Start a Society
Starting a New Student Group is a great way to make the most of your time at the University of Leicester and find a group of likeminded individuals that share your interests and hobbies.
We can only take on a max of 10 applications at one time. This does mean that sometimes we may have to cut the deadline short to allow for our staff and the council to review the applications based off of their capacity.
We currently have extremely limited availability for room bookings on campus. If you are looking to start up a performance or sports based society, please expect that you will need to find external spaces.
Please email unionactivities@leicester.ac.uk to enquire if your proposed society has already been started by another group of students before you submit your new student group application.
Please also read our New Student Group handbook before you submit your application.
What's the process?
(Applications are currently closed, they will reopen on the 30th March at 9am)
To get started, you need to fill in the New Student Group application form. You will be asked the following:
- The name of your group
- Brief description of your group
- Student Group Category
- Your planned activities
- Your committee members
- We require there to be at least 3 committee members in the roles of President, Treasurer and Event and Socials Coordinator. Please Note: You can only hold one core position (President, Treasurer and Event and Socials Coordinator) on committee.
At the University of Leicester Students' Union we operate on a rolling intake with applications approved at the Societies Council meeting every month. If you have any questions make sure to get in touch with the team at unionactivities@le.ac.uk.
Please see the timetable below for deadlines:
| Applications Open: |
Application Close: |
Hear Back By: |
| 30th March @ 9am |
27th April @ 9am |
30th April @ 4pm |
What criteria does my New Student Group need to meet?
Unique: Please ensure that your Student Group is different to the current existing Student Groups. You can find the full list of existing groups here. Groups that are too similar to others or one that could fit underneath an existing group will not be approved. Below is a breakdown of what that requirement means:
- Purpose and Aims - Your group's core purpose should not duplicate the mission, theme, or objectives of an existing Student Group. Clearly state what specific need, interest, or community your group will meet that is not currently addressed.
- Activities and Events - Describe how your planned activities differ from what similar groups already offer. If any activities overlap, you must show how your approach, focus, or format is fundamentally different.
- Target Auidence - If your group appeals to a particular demographic or interest community, explain how this differs from existing groups with similar audiences.
- Why does this matter? Groups that are too similar will not be approved, as duplication can dilute membership, resources, and student engagement. Your application should demonstrate a justified and sustainable gap within the current Student Group landscape.
Feasibility: Running a Student Group offers valuable opportunities to gain leadership, organisational, and teamwork skills. However, it also comes with ongoing responsibilities. Before applying, ensure that:
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Time Commitment - You can realistically manage the additional time commitment alongside your academic and personal responsibilities.
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Delegation - Your committee is willing to work collaboratively, communicate regularly, and share tasks fairly.
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Workload - You have considered the planning required for events, finances, administration, and member engagement.
Any proposed groups must have the following core roles filled by different and current UOL students:
- President
- Treasurer
- Events and Socials Coordinator
Please check the role descriptions linked here before confirming roles.
Process
Don't have enough people to start a group yet?
If you have an idea for a group but don't have students to start it with yet, share your idea to meet likeminded students! We have a page where you, and others, can suggest new groups, or clubs, and find others who are interested. If your idea is popular we can help you promote it or students may comment on your idea to get involved. It's a great way to meet students you wouldn't normally and spread your idea across course as well as campuses.
Click here for the page to submit your idea!
Alternatively, if you are only hoping to propose for an event to take place or organise a specified event, you can do it via here!
Associations
Associations are large, collaborative networks of student groups. You do not need to become one to collaborate but if you and similiar groups do a lot to work together, or cover a certain area (e.g., based under the same school or college) - you can apply to become one!
What is the difference between a Society and an Association?
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The association oversees multiple groups (2 or more) rather than just one which means it has a core committee. This does not take away from the specific groups societies but allows the whole association to be managed effectively to support groups within it.
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Associations aim to work together in a more cohesive and organised way to allow more longer, lasting collaborations.
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Extra grant funding! More groups working together means a greater impact on students so you are able to apply for additional grant funding.
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More support and monthly meetings with the Activities team. Groups can request meetings at anytime but as an association you will have monthly meetings with the main committee to check-in and find out how things are going.
What steps are needed to become an Association?
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First you should hold a meeting with the interested societies to find out what you want to be called and what the purpose is of the Associations. This can be goals but mainly a description of what the activtieis you will do.
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Decide who will take on the main positions (President, Treasurer, Wellbeing & Inclusion).
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Decide on a representative from each society. Alongside the main committee, there needs to be a representative from each group. You do not need a representative if the society is already represented by someone tkaing on a main committee role (e.g., Treaurer).
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Once the details are confirmed, you will need to email unionactivities@leicester.ac.uk
If you are unsure of anything, or would like to discuss becoming an association, please email the team at unionactivities@leicester.ac.uk