Start your own

How do I start a new society?

Have an interest in something that our current societies do not offer? Why not start your own society! You will need to have at least a President, Treasurer, and Welfare Representative to form your committee, and your aims and objectives must not overlap with our existing societies, so make sure you have checked out our existing groups first!

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When and how to apply

Before you submit your application, read through our Guidance Document. Once you’re ready, click on the ‘Apply here’ button below. You can submit your application at any point in the year. The team will review applications every two month to decide if your application is approved. To make sure your application is discussed as soon as possible, submit your application before the cut-off date: see the table below.

If you have any questions, you’re always welcome to email su-societies@qmul.ac.uk or come to one of our drop-ins. Information about and for non-affiliated student groups can be found here.

Application deadline	Outcomes Circulated By	Society set up by	Notes
9am 20 Aug 2025	26 Aug 2025	15 Oct 2025
9am 15 Oct 2025	24 Oct 2025	7 Jan 2026
9am 7 Jan 2026	16 Jan 2026	4 Mar 2026
9am 4 Mar 2026	13 Mar 2026	23 Apr 2026	Committee will carry over so must be 2026/2027 students
9am 23 Apr 2026	1 May 2026	1 Aug 2026	Committee will carry over so must be 2026/2027 students
9am 15 Jul 2026	24 Jul 2026	1 Sep 2026	Committee will carry over so must be 2026/2027 students

Apply here When and how to apply

How do I restart a society that has previously been affiliated?

We have a number of societies that have previously been active but no longer have a committee. This is where we need you! These societies need a President, a Treasurer and a Welfare Representative to lead them.

To find out which societies are currently inactive, please email su-societies@qmul.ac.uk.

Each society has a set category and set aims, which can't be changed. If you are unsure, please get in touch. They may even have some money leftover in their accounts!

Once you’ve checked the aims & objectives of the society you want to restart, and have your committee formed, complete the application form below.

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How to apply

Once you have a President, Treasurer and Welfare Officer to take over, you will then need 10 student signatures to indicate that there is interest to reactivate the society. We accept applications all year round and we will aim to make decisions every two months.

Apply here

How do I start a new club?

Club Sport provides many opportunities for you to participate and compete in a wide variety of sports while you are at University.

With 60+ sports clubs for you to choose from and many links to other clubs across London, we are confident that there will be something out there for you to carry on your existing sporting interest or for you to try something completely new during your university years.

QMSU Sports Clubs offer much more than just playing sport and we are committed to delivering an excellent sporting student experience by providing students with a wide range of opportunities to get involved in sport, exploring new and exciting places, develop personal skills, celebrating sporting achievements, developing a sense of community and pride and also a chance to develop friendships for life.

If however, you feel there is a need for something new, read on..

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How to apply for a new Sports Club

If you want to apply to set up a new Sports Club, here is what you need to do:

1. Read through the New Club Application process' stages below. They will explain what sports cannot be approved and what the process is.
2. If your proposed club meets the criteria outlined in the stages below then submit a written application before one of the two annual deadlines using the link.
3. Your application will be considered by QMSU Club Sport and you will be informed of the outcome shortly after the application deadline. QMSU Club Sport will let you know what to do from there!

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Stage 1

Your application will be received by the Deputy Head of Sport and the Sports Administrator in the first instance. Your application will be reviewed and you will be asked to come in to a meeting to discuss your club proposal in more detail.

Stage 2

Applications received will be considered by QMSU Club Sport and the Club Sport Committee. The sports development team will present your club proposal to the committee and a democratic vote will take place by the elected committee and your club will be accepted or rejected as part of the QMSU Club Sport programme.

Any new club applications against which at least one of the following criteria applies will be rejected automatically:

• A duplication of an existing QMSU Club Sport club
• If the sports cannot be insured through our public liability insurance
• If proposing activities that might bring QMSU Club Sport into disrepute
• The nature of the activity is deemed to be of such high risk that it would require a disproportionate amount of staff time or other resources (eg. equipment) to ensure compliance with minimum safety standards

There are also a number of minimum requirements that must be met, and a few optional requirements that may strengthen an application.

Minimum Requirements:

• Has a recognised National Governing Body
• There is proven demand for the club
• There are enough members to form a committee (at least Club Captain/President and Treasurer)
• The club can be sustainable financially (we would expect you show that you can operate without any funding for the first year as there is very limited funding available). A club budget outline for example
• The club can be sustainable operationally (are there non final-year members on committee to take the club forward after the first year etc.)

Optional requirements:

• A statement or letter of support from the National Governing Body
• BUCS (British Universities and Colleges Sport) recognised sport
• Links with a facility where the sport takes place
• Links to coaching providers (qualified) as appropriate

Stage 3

Accepted clubs will then receive:

• Access to the QMSU Sports Welcome Fair
• Access to QMSU Club Sport Committee Training
• Access to QMSU Sport Development Team staff support
• Club bank account
• Access to Queen Mary Students' Union Room Bookings
• Access to QMSU Club Sport Club Photos day
• Access to QMSU Club Sport Awards Dinner
• Entry into QMSU Club Sport Merger Cup if appropriate
• Club Members are eligible to become part of the QMSU Club Sport Committee

Start a new sports club

What is a Volunteering Group?

A Volunteering Group is a student-led group with specific aims and objectives who volunteer to address a cause in the local community.

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How to set up a new Volunteering Group

Students can apply to affiliate a new Volunteering Group by submitting an application through the link below. The application will then be reviewed by the team and the outcomes of your application will be circulated by the following dates (exact dates tbc):

• September
• November
• February

To be affiliated, a Volunteering Group must have:

• A main priority of volunteering out in the community
• A core set of objectives which do not duplicate another activity or service which the Students' Union or an existing Student Group already provides.
• At least two founders who can adopt the Committee roles of President and Treasurer and attend mandatory Volunteering Groups training. You can find out what the two roles responsibilities are here under the “Committee role description” drop-down menu.

Volunteering groups cannot charge a membership fee, as your members will be volunteering their time if they join your group. The following groups will not be considered to be set up as a Volunteering Group:

• Groups whose main aim is to fundraise for charity
• Groups whose volunteering is based internationally

Find an existing volunteering group

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If you are still interested in setting up your own Volunteering Group, please read the guidance document before completing the application form below.

If you have any questions about the application process or want more information about starting a Volunteering Group then please email us at su-volunteering@qmul.ac.uk.

Guidance document Apply here

Applications for new outlet affiliations are open year-long and the team will review applications on receipt. If you’re interested in setting up a new outlet, for affiliation to the Students’ Union, then please read the guidance below, before you can submit an application by emailing su-studentmedia@qmul.ac.uk. Applications will be reviewed by the Student Media team and outcomes circulated regularly.

Student Media Outlets are student-led groups formed with the sole aim of producing publications, broadcasts, print and digital media.

Before making an application, make sure that your idea does not overlap with any existing outlets or affiliated Student Groups. You can find out about all affiliated Student Groups here.

For information on what it means to be an affiliated Student Media Outlet and how to maintain affiliation please see the Student Groups Bye-Law.

Any approved applications will be required to complete mandatory training before activity can start. Applications can only be taken from current QMUL students. The application form will ask for the details and plans of the proposed outlet as well as contact details of the Managing Editor and Deputy Managing Editor (or equivalent).

To apply to affiliate a new Student Media Outlet or ask any questions, please email su-studentmedia@qmul.ac.uk.

Guidance document