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.

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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 ‘Start a new society’ button below. You can submit your application at any point in the year. The Societies Board will then meet and decide if your application is approved: they meet four times a year. To make sure your application is discussed at the next meeting, submit your application before the cut-off date: see the table below.

Please be aware that the board will not review your application until round 2 of the societies board, this will be taking place in October.

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.

Round	Applications Open	Applications Close	Outcomes Circulated By
1
2	25 Aug 2023	9am, 21 Oct 2023	25 Oct 2023
3	22 Oct 2023	9am, 5 Feb 2023	9 Feb 2024
4	6 Feb 2024	9am, 15 Mar 2024	20 Mar 2024

Guidance Document Apply here

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.

Each society has a set category and set aims, which can't be changed. You can find more information about each inactive society in our information document. They may even have some money leftover in their accounts!

If your application is approved, you will receive full support in getting you set up, as well as a Google Suite account with an email address to help spread the word of your society!

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

To see which societies are currently inactive, click on the 'inactive societies information' button below for a full list.

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How to apply

Once you have a President and Treasurer 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.

Inactive Societies Information 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 Club Development Manager and the Sports Administrator in the first instance. Your application will be reviewed and you will be asked to come in to a meeting with the sports development team and 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

If your club gets approved then you will need to complete the QMSU Club Sport Development Plan prior to any activity or promotion which will be made available upon affiliation to QMSU Club Sport.

Stage 4

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 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 form to su-volunteering@qmul.ac.uk. The Volunteering Board will then review the application and circulate outcomes of your application by the following dates:

• 11th November
• 3rd February
• 31st March

The main priority of a Volunteering Group must be to volunteer out in the community.

In order to be affiliated, a Volunteering Group must also:

• have a core set of objectives which do not duplicate another activity or service which the Students' Union or an existing Student Group already provides.
• have at least two founders who can adopt the Principal Officer roles of President and Treasurer and attend mandatory Volunteering Groups training. You can find out what the two roles responsibilities are here.

Volunteering groups are not able to charge a membership fee.The following groups will not be considered to be a Volunteering Group:

• Groups whose main aim is to fundraise for charity
• Groups whose main aim is to campaign or raise awareness
• Religious, party political or cultural groups
• 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 complete the application form below and email it to su-volunteering@qmul.ac.uk. Volunteering groups will receive the following:

• Support with promoting their groups to recruit volunteers
• A customisable page on the Students' Union website
• Advice, support and training from the Students' Union Volunteering Team
• Access to reclaim volunteer expenses as outlined in the Students' Union Volunteering Expense Claim Policy
• Free DBS checks to work with children and adults at risk
• Insurance
• Students' Union Volunteering Awards
• Access to apply for grant funding to support your project
• Promotion of your news, successes and events on the Students' Union Volunteering website and social media pages
• Free membership for volunteers

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.

Apply here

Applications for new outlet affiliations are open until 9th January 9am. If you’re interested in setting up a new outlet, for affiliation to the Students’ Union, then you can submit an application using the form below. Applications will be reviewed by the Student Media Finance and Affiliation Panel and outcomes circulated by 19 January 2024.

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 be taken from current students in the 2023-24 academic year. 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 equivelant).

Any questions about applying to affiliate a new outlet, please email su-studentmedia@qmul.ac.uk.

Apply Here