Student societies at University of Birmingham: The ultimate guide

UBRobotics

In first year, I joined UBRobotics. Every Wednesday from 2pm to 5pm, I'd head to the lab to work with my team on making a sumobot. The lab had this amazing atmosphere: music playing softly in the background, people chatting and problem-solving together. Beyond the workshops, the society organised social events throughout the semester – bowling nights, games evenings, movie screenings – usually later in the evening after the labs, it’s a great time to unwind and meet other people in the society.

Brum Eco Racing

Fast forward to second year, and I found myself joining Brum Eco Racing. I'll admit, I was a bit nervous at first, I wasn’t confident I had the right skillset, and I was going to not be able to do anything. But from day one, everyone was so welcoming.

First semester was mostly admin work, ordering parts and waiting for deliveries, so I spent my time researching and learning from others. When the parts arrived, I started going to the labs every week, trying to contribute as much as I could. With competition looming in June and exams not far behind, getting ahead felt crucial. The team culture really shone through during the social outings they organised. I remember one evening after a meeting, we all went to the pub together. I don't drink, but without me even mentioning it, one of the team members bought me a Coke. It was such a small gesture, but it meant a lot – just feeling included in the team.

Badminton

Before university, I wasn't particularly active. Sport just wasn't really part of my routine, I thought I'd loved badminton at school, so why not give it another go? I chose the social club rather than trying out for the competitive team – partly because I was nervous, partly because I assumed everyone would be at roughly my level in the social one. Turns out, the skill range was all over the place, which was a bit daunting at first, but everyone was so genuinely kind. People would offer tips, show you techniques, help you improve. The sessions run from 7:30pm to 10pm, and there's this lovely rhythm to them – you play a few games, then chat on the sidelines while others take their turn on the court. You get to know people, not just play with them. Looking back, joining the social club was absolutely the right call. No pressure, no stress, just good vibes and friendships I never would have made otherwise.

Beyond my regular societies, I've made it a bit of a habit to pop along to different cultural society events, especially the evening events. The cultural and ethnicity societies at Birmingham are so welcoming, so eager to share their traditions and heritage. There's always food, games, music, and just this wonderful sense of community. I've learned so much about different cultures, and everyone's happy to share their experiences – whether that's about their heritage, navigating university life, or even tips on finding internships and jobs.

And here's something I really appreciate - most of these societies’ events don't revolve around alcohol. There's no awkward moment where someone feels bad for drinking around you, no need to explain yourself, no questioning looks. You're just there, enjoying yourself, same as everyone else. It's refreshing, honestly, and makes the whole experience so much more comfortable and inclusive. As someone who doesn't drink, that makes all the difference as before I came to university, I thought the drinking culture was really big and I would never really fit in.