What are academic societies?
Academic societies are student-led groups that represent an academic interest which are usually linked to a course, School or Institute. These communities are independently run and offer our students a range of social and professional opportunities which also enhances student experience. All societies are led by student committee members who are elected into their positions which at minimum, consist of a President, Secretary and Treasurer.
You can view what active academic societies we have here.
Academic Societies Dashboard
We have now launched our Academic Societies Dashboard which gives a comprehensive view of which courses across all schools, institutes and colleges have a related academic society for students to join. It shows how many students are on a specific course, if there is a related academic society, how many members a society has and how many students on a course are a member of a related society.
View the Academic Societies Dashboard
Please make sure you are logged into the website using your staff login first. For any issues or questions, please contact the Societies Team at activitiesadmin@shu.ac.uk
Society Committee Elections
All elected committee members hold their posts until July 31st. Every year we host two large society committee elections on our website, one during October and one later on during March-April. This is when students can nominate themselves and run for committee positions. During this time, academic staff support is essential in ensuring that a society continues year on year as some societies struggle to elect a committee. Societies that don't elect a committee will move into Adopt a Soc.
For information about how our elections work and what roles are available:
Society elections process and roles
For information about timings, dates and voting for live society committee elections:
Society elections hub
Society Balls
Every year, some of our academic societies host end of year celebration events including Society Balls. These are large scale events which usually include hiring an external venue, formal dining options and formal attire. When a society organises and leads this event, it is their choice if they want academic staff in attendance.
Societies who would like to have staff present can request an associate membership to be added to their society webpage and staff can purchase their membership. If so, they can proceed to buying a society member ticket to the Ball.
We are aware that some Schools and Institutes host annual departmental balls which can sometimes be only for specific levels and courses. Please note that Society Balls must be inclusive and therefore, open to all society members regardless of level and course.
Society Balls guidance
SU Awards and Recognition
Every year, the SU hosts the SU Awards which is an annual formal event to celebrate student contributions and volunteering. Academic staff across the university can nominate societies and individual students for these awards including Academic Society of the year. To read more and nominate societies, head to the SU Awards page.
Frequently asked questions
Some of my students want to start a new society. What are the next steps?
The students will need to head to our New Society webpage where they will need to submit an application form to express their interest in setting up a new society. Once we review their application, the lead applicant will be emailed with our outcome.
Start a society
Some of my students want to adopt an old society that is no longer active. How can they do this?
The students will need to head to our Adopt A Soc webpage where can view which societies are available to be restarted. If the society lists on the page, they will then follow the steps on there to revive it!
Adopt A Soc
Where can I find a list of all active academic societies?
You can see which societies are active by heading to our Academic Societies page. You can see what academic societies are available in your subject area by viewing the Academic Societies Dashboard.
How many members does a specific society have?
Each society's total membership if visible through the Academic Societies Dashboard. First, click on the School or Institute you want to view.
I think that a society is inactive. What can I do?
If you think a society if inactive - usually the students have already graduated or they have told you directly, please email activitiesadmin@shu.ac.uk
How can I support a society that is already active?
You can support a society by doing the following:
- Putting them in touch with industry professionals for networking and guest speaker events
- Advertising society committee elections
- Checking in with them once a semester
- Encouraging other students to join the society
Do academic societies receive departmental funding?
In previous years, departmental funding has been issued to academic societies in need however, this has not been agreed yet for the 2025/26 year.
A society has asked for support in booking rooms and spaces on campus. What is the process to support them with this?
All societies need to follow our Events process. For all events on campus premises, the society needs to complete an events proposal form 4 weeks in advance of when they wish to host the event. The Societies Team will review the event proposal and if approved, we will add it to the University Events Register. For any external speaker events, the society must complete our external speaker form. External speaker events cannot go ahead without this.
Events proposals and External Speaker Form
I want to run an event with a society - how do I go about this?
We encourage academics to interact with societies as much as possible and they play a key role in enhancing society activity, rather than leading it. If you would like to host an event and invite a society along to it, please know that the responsibility for finances, booking rooms and putting this on the University Events Register is yours. If you would like to plan an event with a society, they can co-host but the society needs to follow our events process. Therefore, they share responsibility for the event and all attendees. To follow our events process, the first step is for them to complete the Events Proposal Form via the Committee Portal.