Life outside of studying: societies, skills and seriously good vibes at Coventry University

Your student experience

Uni’s way more than just lectures and deadlines. At Coventry University, we want you to discover who you are outside the classroom too. That’s where extracurricular activities come in, from sports and societies to creative clubs and volunteering. They play such a valuable role in shaping your student experience, helping you make new mates, build your confidence and pick up skills that might come in handy after you graduate.

Whether you’re joining a cause you care about, performing on stage or starting something new, these experiences can boost your wellbeing, shape your future and make your uni years way more fun.

From student societies to published author

Take Caleb Azumah-Nelson, for example, a Sport and Exercise Science BSc (Hons) alumni, who found his creative voice through the university’s Creative Writing Society. That spark turned into his debut novel, Open Water, and he’s now recognised as one of the UK’s most exciting literary voices. His story is just one example of how following your passion or doing something on the side can totally change your future.

What’s out there?

From academic groups and cultural communities to student-run societies for gaming, activism and more, there’s something for everyone. Check out the full list on the Your SU website, and if nothing quite fits your vibe, you can even start your own. Whatever you're into, you’ll find something here — or someone who’s into it too.

A few examples:

LGBTQIA+ Society: a welcoming and inclusive community for LGBTQIA+ students and allies. The society hosts social events, awareness campaigns and support networks to celebrate diversity, promote equality and foster a sense of belonging on campus.

Disability, Neurodivergence and Mental Illness Society: a supportive and inclusive space where students can connect, share experiences, and raise awareness about disability, neurodivergence, and mental health. The society champions accessibility, understanding, and peer support through events, campaigns and community-building activities.

Musical Theatre Society: for those passionate about performing arts, this society stages productions and provides performance opportunities.

Anime and Manga Society: whether you're into classic series, the latest releases or want to discover new favourites, this society offers screenings, discussions, quizzes and socials for anime and manga lovers of all levels.

Whether you’re looking to build confidence, make friends or just have fun, joining something outside your course is honestly one of the best things you can do.

Why it matters

Getting involved in uni life beyond lectures can seriously level up your experience. Research shows that students who participate in extracurricular activities are more likely to enjoy uni, feel more connected and even do better afterwards. It’s also a great way to meet people, try new things and feel part of a community, especially if you’re new to uni, the city or the country.

At Coventry University, there’s loads going on beyond lectures and so many students are making the most of it.

Alumni insights

Some of our alumni say getting involved in extracurricular activities made a big impact on their careers:

Christina Okorocha, Ruby Aryiku, and Rumbi Mupindu met through Coventry University's African Caribbean Society (ACS) and went on to start VAMP, the UK’s first agency focused on Black digital talent. They now work with global brands like Disney, Netflix and Arsenal.
“You’re told when you’re younger that when you go to university that you’ll meet friends for life and also you might meet your business partners. Coventry University provided that because of the location of the city centre campus which also allowed us to meet more people. It wasn’t just about the education but the resources. Coventry University provided the perfect environment to develop these skills.” — Christina Okorocha, graduated 2017. Co-Founder, Head of Entertainment at VAMP.
“Meeting new people, living on my own and working part-time were all important building blocks in making me the person I am today. Be open minded to the opportunities that will come your way and embrace as many as you can at university before life gets too grown up and too serious. Have fun and enjoy!” — Laura Mason-Byers, Communication, Culture and Media BA (Hons), graduated 2005. She is now a People Communications Manager at Gym Shark.
“I was fortunate enough to get involved in lots while I was at CU including the opportunity to run for Student President and people here believed in me, which helped my confidence and my skill set massively.” — After graduating from CU Coventry with a degree in Management and Leadership Studies in 2017, Alex Cairns is now Floating Manager - Central London Region at Marks and Spencer, and a TEDx speaker.

Ready to explore life outside of studying?

Life outside of studying is where the real uni magic happens. It’s where you meet your people, try stuff you’ve never done before and surprise yourself along the way. Whether you’re joining a society, taking the stage or just getting involved in something fun, these could be the moments that shape your confidence, your future and all the best memories.