The English Society

Societies have been a part of university life since universities were first opened. At many universities, multiple societies that were established when the university first opened still exist to this day, and have become an increasingly important part of student life. In fact, some societies are so popular that they act as a deciding factor for students choosing to attend certain universities. For example,

Christopher Nolan, an English BA graduate from UCL, was famously the President of the Film and TV Society before he went onto become an award-winning writer and director - many students with an interest in film have chosen to go to UCL for the opportunities that the society has to offer! In many cases, societies are a chance for students to meet peers with similar interests, socialise and develop skills for their CV.

It is likely that the English Society has existed since UCL was first established in the late 1800s, however, it was only officially established by the Students’ Union in 2021. The society is a space for creative exploration where students often gather to discuss literature and the arts. The society hosts monthly workshops on various literary skills, such as scriptwriting, playwriting, poetry, literary analysis and much more! They also host weekly social events which range from theatre trips, art gallery visits, café writing sessions, talks from guest speakers, film screenings and museum tours! The society is entirely student-run and welcomes students of all ages from every course at UCL. They are also in the process of developing a bimonthly magazine and podcast in which students can support each other in their exploration of literature. www.studentsunionucl.org

University societies are always a great way to get involved in different activities and make new friends, and there’s bound to be something for everyone!

ELLA MARIA Co-Editor and President of English Society at UCL