Creating a new society

With over 180 societies, we are proud to be represented by such a vibrant, diverse range of student-led groups. We're always keen to expand the opportunities available and love hearing new society ideas from student!

Jump to:

New Society Q&A

I've got an idea for a new society! Will I be allowed to start it?

Before you actually put in an application to start a new society, take a look at this document, which has some critetia you will need to be aware of and meet.

Not all applications will be accepted, but we want to make sure that all get off to the best start. Reading this will support you in creating your society.

I've checked and my society idea meets the criteria - how do I get started?

Now that you know your society application would meet the criteria, you can begin the application process.

The first thing you need to do is submit an idea below. Once your idea has twenty up votes or more, and students have demonstrated that they are keen for this society to be set up, we are then able to begin the formal process of setting you up.

After your idea have received twenty votes, you can fill out a new society application pack and send it over to union.opportunities@uea.ac.uk with the email subject labelled as 'New Society Application Pack'. Please fill this out in as much detail as possible, to give you the best chance of being accepted. 

When we recieve your new society application pack, we pass this over to Societies Executive for approval. If it is accepted through Societies Executive it is then taken to Union Council for final approval. We will keep you posted on the stage of your New Society application throughout the process, however, we have put together a timetable below that shows you when you can expect your application to go to Societies Executive and Union Council.

The 'how to create a new society' guide will take you through each stage of the process, so take a look and make sure you are ready to go. 

What is the difference between a society and peer support group?

A peer support group can be formed by a group of students for the sole purpose of supporting their peers, provided that Union Council approve their Constitution. The overarching difference is that Peer Support Groups receive funding through the Opportunities team. This money is held within the Opportunities management account and the group will not have this money moved directly into their subs account.  Peer Support groups do not charge membership and set up on the grounds of supporting peers. 

You will need to fill in the peer support application pack and send it over to union.opportunities@uea.ac.uk with the email subject labelled as ‘New peer support application pack’ please fill this out in as much detail as possible, to give you the best chance of being accepted. When we receive your peer support application pack, it will be reviewed by the student group coordinator, Activities and Opportunities officer and peer support group soc exec rep. They will then pass over their recommendations to yourself and to Union Council.

My society's been approved! What next?

We will email you all the information you will need to know now that you are a fully fledged society!

However, this document also explains the next steps in us setting up your society, so make sure you take a look!

We also have a great new tips guide for brand new societies to follow in order to set yourselves up in the best way possible!

If you have any questions along the way, don’t hesitate to ask the Opportunities team - we're here to help you! Just email union.opportunities@uea.ac.uk or pop into the office and see us.

It's Summer, can I still put forward an idea for a new society?

Over the summer period, Societies Executive and Union Coucil (these are the committees that approve your ideas) do not meet and therefore any new society applications cannot be ratified until the following year.

However, do submit new ideas on this page and begin the application process! 

Timeframes for ideas