Getting involved with KCLSU is one of the best ways to enrich your university experience. You can join an activity or a sport, make new friends at our social events and club nights, represent the interests of your fellow students by running a campaign or standing in an election, and much more. We’ve outlined just a few of the ways you can get involved with KCLSU, and how it can benefit your time at King’s.
Joining a group
At KCLSU, we have over 300 activity groups and sports clubs for students to join. All of them are run directly by students, and represent a range of interests, hobbies, and causes. Some groups charge a fee to join but many are free, and lots of groups also run free taster sessions at the beginning of the year. This is a great chance to try new activities that you’ve never tried before, further your skills, and even serve on committees (which looks great on your CV). Check out our list of student groups here, and be sure to attend our Welcome Fair on Thursday 22 and Friday 23 September to meet representatives from many of our different groups.
Attending events
We hold a variety of events across the academic year. Welcome Week features club nights and parties as well as non-alcoholic socials like karaoke nights and afternoon tea. In addition to regular events such as our weekly club nights on Wednesdays, we also host events like Cultural Ball and Awards at the end of the year to celebrate the KCLSU community. And what’s more, our many societies host numerous events every month, many of which are free to attend and hosted on or around campus. There’s something for everyone, and there’s no better time to start attending some of our many events than the start of the academic year. Check out all the events on our website here.
Using KCLSU spaces
We have a range of spaces for students to use and enjoy, and you’ll likely come across them during your time at King’s even if you don’t realise they’re run by us! Our two bars are The Vault (Strand Campus) and Guy’s Bar (Guy’s Campus). Both bars sell affordable food and drinks, and host regular events as well. Our cafes are The Shack on Strand Campus and The Shed on Guy’s Campus, which both do hot and cold drinks, pastries, and sandwiches. These four spots are great for making new friends, spending time in between lectures, or getting work done—whatever takes your fancy! In addition to our venues, we have a range of study spaces, chill-out spots, and activity rooms across the campuses. You can also get all your King’s merch at The Union Shop in Bush House. Read more about our spaces here.
Running campaigns
You can make changes you want to see by campaigning at KCLSU. Union campaigns are initiatives led by students to change structures, policies, and behaviours within the university community to improve the lives and experiences of our members and the wider community. We provide support and funding for campaigns run by and for students. Past campaigns have included the fight to return to in-person teaching following the pandemic and improving the pay and working conditions of graduate teaching assistants at King’s. Find out more about campaigns and how you can get involved here.
Standing for elections
Every year, six full-time officers are elected to represent the interests of students at King’s and work to create change. These are paid roles and officers have either just graduated or taken a year out from their studies. Beyond these six roles, there are numerous elected positions within KCLSU to represent student interests. Additionally, every society holds elections to form its committees. There are so many opportunities to stand and make your voice heard as a student—find out more about elections here.
This is just a fraction of the opportunities for you to get involved in life at KCLSU. From volunteering to working part-time at our venues and offices, there’s much more for you to discover. Follow us on Instagram to stay up to date, and be sure to check out our website to see everything we have to offer.