d e v ol v in Get A WORLD OF OPPORTUNITY AWAITS YOU AT WINCHESTER
FRESHERS
THE BEST TIME EVER
SPORTS TEAMS
YOUR VOICE, YOUR COMMUNITY! FRESHERS’ WEEK THE VAULT - BIGGEST CLUB & EVENT SPACE
WINNING AT JOINING IN SOCIETIES
FIND YOUR PASSION, FIND YOUR PEOPLE!
WELCOME Hello and welcome! We’re reaching out from Winchester Students’ Union to introduce you to everything we have to offer as part of the incredible Winchester Student Experience. Whether you're passionate about student representation and making your voice heard, eager to explore exciting extracurricular activities, or looking forward to a calendar packed with diverse events, we’ve got something for you! University life is about more than just studying — it’s about finding your community, discovering new interests, and making unforgettable memories. No matter who you are or what excites you, we’re here to support, inspire, and help you make the most of your time at Winchester. We can’t wait to welcome you this September —
See you soon!
YOUR SOCIAL LIFE STARTS HERE! Whether you’ve met your friends in halls, on your course, or through an Activity Group — or you’re looking for a social space to get to know people better — The Vault, The Terrace, and The Lounge should be your next stop!
THE TERRACE & LOUNGE
(A Students’ Union Sabbatical Officer is a student-elected representative who works full-time to support and advocate for the student body. These ‘Sabbs’ are recent graduates whose job is to focus on improving student life, championing student rights, and ensuring that students’ voices are heard at every level of decision making.)
THE VAULT
YOUR SOCIAL AND COMMUNITY HUB ON CAMPUS
WINCHESTER’S BIGGEST CLUB AND EVENT SPACE! From Freshers' Week to Graduation, your venue is where the best memories are made! Here we host events like club nights, live music, showcases and performances and of course BOP - the biggest student club night in Winchester with 900 students every week!
The perfect space to relax, catch up with friends, get some work done or simply take a break between lectures. Keep an eye out for our programme of events throughout the academic year on our Instagram @winch_su!
Got an event idea? Let’s make it happen! We love supporting students in running their own events. Email su.commercial@winchester.ac.uk so we can help you with your idea.
FRESHERS
Check out our event lineup on our website and grab your Freshers’ tickets from May each year.
Don’t miss out!
FRESHERS (aka Welcome Week)
Club nights: From dancing to your own beat at Silent Disco and showing off your best fancy dress at BOP, to breaking the ice at T-Shirt Party and singing your heart out at Giant Screen Karaoke, these high-energy nights guarantee an unforgettable party experience everyone! Social events: Test your luck and win epic prizes at Bingo, connect with fellow music fans at our K-pop night mixer, or battle it out at one of our quiz nights. You can also try out some society give-it-a-go before you decide to join them - no strings attached. Daytime experiences: If you’re looking to make the most of your days, get creative with our chilled craft sessions, uncover hidden gems on guided walking tours of Winchester, or unwind with some competitive socialising at mini golf or video gaming as you become acquainted with your new home. Finish off your week at Freshers Fayre. Along with a chance to explore our massive range of clubs and societies, it’s also the place for freebies, from big suppliers such as Dominos and Amazon, to kit out your halls at the poster sale and to find out about local bars, cafés and gyms. There will be giant games on The Terrace, bubbles galore and if you’re lucky, free ice cream! Want some official University of Winchester merchandise? Visit the Students' Union shop where we have a range of merchandise, meal deals and between lecture snacks. The money spent here goes back to your university experience!
So, make sure you don’t miss out on our amazing Freshers Week programme. We release our line-up of events annually via our website winchesterstudents.co.uk
GET INVOLVED
WHAT ARE ACTIVITY GROUPS? Activity groups are the heart of student life at Winchester Students’ Union! These student-led communities bring people together through sports, hobbies, special interests, and safe spaces for underrepresented groups — so no matter who you are, there’s a place for you here!
WE’VE GOT THREE TYPES OF ACTIVITY GROUPS: Sports Teams – Compete, train, and stay active across a variety of different sports! Societies – Dive into your passions, from acting to photography to gaming and everything in between! Representational Networks – Connect, empower, and make a difference for underrepresented voices!
Getting involved isn’t just fun (though it definitely is); it’s also a great way to build skills, connect with like-minded people, and stand out to employers. So why wait? Find your people, try something new, and make your university experience unforgettable!
GET INVOLVED
For the love of the game!
GET INVOLVED IN SPORT – YOUR WAY! Want to try a new sport? You are welcome to give any of our sports teams a go, whether you have played a sport for years or would like to give it a go for the first time!
Whether you’re a seasoned pro or a total beginner, Winchester Students’ Union has the perfect sporting experience for you! With over 30 teams, we offer both competitive and social options — so you can train, compete, or just play for fun! Want to play competitively? We have a variety of competitive teams, many of which compete in BUCS!
BUCS (British Universities & Colleges Sport) is the powerhouse of uni sports in the UK, bringing together 140+ institutions for epic competitions in 50+ sports!
Just want to play for fun? No pressure — some teams are all about the love of the game! No matter your skill level or experience, there’s a place for you in Team Winchester. Ready to get involved?
REPRESENTATIONAL NETWORKS – YOUR VOICE, YOUR COMMUNITY! At Winchester Students’ Union, Representational Networks are studentled groups dedicated to championing equality, diversity, and accessibility for underrepresented student communities. We believe in the power of safe spaces where voices are heard, experiences are valued, and real change happens. These networks exist to build strong student communities, break down barriers, and create a more inclusive university experience for everyone. Whether you want to connect, advocate, or make a difference, Representational Networks are here to support, empower, and ensure every student feels they belong.
"It’s such a big community and it's such a massive part of uni, my experience would not have been the same if I didn’t have my sports team." Libby, Dance Squad
"My confidence has skyrocketed, and it’s been really nice to watch other members grow more confident both inside and outside of sessions."
"Being part of the commuters network has left me with a wonderful array of experiences and skills that I’ve developed. I have had a great sense of belonging by mixing with a whole range of students."
Jet, Access (Disabled Students Network)
Jenny, Commuting Students Network
SOCIETIES
FIND YOUR PASSION, FIND YOUR PEOPLE! At Winchester Students’ Union, our societies bring together students who share a love for everything from arts to gaming to gardening, and everything in between!
Got a passion? Whether you’re into music, film, culture, gaming, volunteering, or something totally unique, there’s a society for you!
These student-led communities are all about exploring interests, sparking creativity, and making unforgettable memories with like-minded people.
Looking for your community? Societies are the perfect way to meet new friends, try new things, and create lasting connections at university.
HOW TO GET INVOLVED?
Want to make a difference? Many societies focus on advocacy, charity, and social impact, giving you the chance to be part of something bigger.
With the support of the Students’ Union, these societies bring campus to life through exciting events, socials, and opportunities to express yourself, lead, and grow. Your society is waiting!
The best way to find out what activity groups we have on offer is to head to Freshers Fayre which normally takes place on Saturday following Freshers Week. All of our activity groups will be hosting a stall where you can chat to committee members to find out more about their group and what they get up to! Straight after Freshers Week we host Give it a Go week, where you get to try as many activity groups as you would like! You can get stuck in and see if you would like to join them! Other exciting things we have run in the past include Society and Network Quizzes, Winton sports reunion, Varsity (Winchester vs Chichester), Sports Tour abroad and much much more! For more information about our activity groups:
HEAD TO OUR WEBSITE>>>
AND THERE IS MORE
If at any point during your time at Winchester you need support, we are here for you. Our Advice Centre is free, impartial and independent from the University itself. We specialise in academic advice and we can also support you with wellbeing, housing and money concerns. Our friendly Advisor & Wellbeing Coordinator is available for one-to-one appointments to support you and offer guidance on any concerns that might arise during your student journey. winchesterstudents.co.uk/advice
YOUR LEADERS elected by you Winchester Students’ Union is for students and run by students. Elections are hosted annually to elect your student representatives. Our full-time Sabbatical Officers along with part-time Student officers, are students elected annually by the student body to run the Students' Union, with support from a small, dedicated staff team. Look out for your elected officers across campus and on social media, encouraging you to share your opinions and views about your student experience. Have a chat to them, get in contact and make your voice heard as they can act on your behalf to improve all aspects of your university experience at Winchester, for example access to funding, student support, or enhancement of campus facilities.
We are proud to run a variety of impactful student-led campaigns to support you on campus and in the wider community, from our Sip Smart, Stay Safe campaign to Cost of Living initiatives.
ADVICE
CAMPAIGNS UNION
ADVICE CENTRE
Winchester Students’ Union is non-stop all year round. Alongside all the social and extra-curricular activity covered elsewhere in this flyer this is what else your Union offers!