Students' Union UCL (formerly University College London Union) is the

students' union A students' union, also known by many other names, is a student organization present in many colleges, universities, and high schools. In higher education, the students' union is often accorded its own building on the campus, dedicated to ...

of University College London. Founded in 1893, it is one of the oldest

students' unions A students' union, also known by many other names, is a student organization present in many colleges, universities, and high schools. In higher education, the students' union is often accorded its own building on the campus, dedicated to social, ...

in England, although postdating the

Liverpool Guild of Students Liverpool Guild of Students is the students' union of the University of Liverpool. The Guild was founded in 1889, with the building constructed in 1911. The title also refers to the Guild of Students building, which is the centre point of activ ...

which formed a student representative council in 1892. It was formed with the following objectives: "the promotion of social intercourse and of the means of recreation, physical and mental, of the students of University College, and the financial successes of students' clubs". UCL Union was the first of its kind as it was formed for both athletics clubs and social activities alike. Since its formation, the Union has taken on responsibility for many aspects of student life. Events for example were seen as a key element hence the establishment of an Ents Committee. A student magazine known as the Gazette was formed a few years later and the Somers Town sports venue was also acquired. Students' Union UCL is affiliated to the National Union of Students.

Organisation

Students' Union UCL runs over 300 clubs and societies, as well as 4 bars, 4 cafés, 1 shop and a fitness centre. UCL students through the Union have access to put on shows at the

Bloomsbury Theatre The Bloomsbury Theatre is a theatre on Gordon Street, Bloomsbury, in the London Borough of Camden, owned by University College London. The Theatre has a seating capacity of 547 and offers a professional programme of innovative music, drama, come ...

. The Union's sports clubs have access to several different venues including Bloomsbury Fitness, the Somers Town Sports Centre and the

Shenley Shenley is a village and civil parish in Hertfordshire, England, between Barnet and St Albans. The village is located 14 miles from Central London. History The history of Shenley stretches back a thousand years or more – it is mentioned i ...

Sports grounds, which

Watford Football Club Watford Football Club is an English professional football club based in Watford, Hertfordshire. They play in the EFL Championship, the second tier of English football. The club’s original foundation is 1881, aligned with that of its anteced ...

rent for training purposes.

Arsenal F.C. Arsenal Football Club, commonly referred to as Arsenal, is a professional football club based in Islington, London, England. Arsenal plays in the Premier League, the top flight of English football. The club has won 13 league titles (i ...

rented it as training grounds until 1999. In October 1999 they opened the purpose built

Arsenal Training Centre The Arsenal Training Centre, often referred to as its geographical location London Colney in Hertfordshire, is the training ground of Arsenal Football Club. It houses ten full-size pitches, an indoor facility and a medical and rehabilitation ce ...

on a neighbouring 143 acres. On the other side is the

de Havilland Aircraft Heritage Centre The de Havilland Aircraft Museum, formerly the de Havilland Aircraft Heritage Centre, is a volunteer-run aviation museum in London Colney, Hertfordshire, England. The collection is built around the definitive prototype and restoration shops fo ...

. Students' Union UCL provides support to students through Jobshop and the Advice Service, and has a highly active Volunteering Services unit, providing volunteering opportunities for over 1400 students a year. As well as the magazine '' Pi'', the Union's media output includes the radio station

Rare FM Rare FM is the student radio station of University College London. Background Rare FM was set up in 1998 as an affiliated society of UCL Union. Rare FM broadcasts continuously over the Internet with approximately 15 hours of live original pro ...

, the "alternative" magazine ''

The Cheese Grater ''The Cheese Grater'' is a student satirical and investigative magazine produced at University College London by a society of UCL Union, a students' union. It was first published in March 2004, and was most recently named London's best stu ...

'' and a number of smaller publications. UCLU P

Charity Status

Operation of the Union lies mainly with elected full-time officers called sabbatical officers and appointed staff. The UCL Union is a registered charity in UK law, a status which requires it to have a trustee board. The board is composed of four of the elected UCLU sabbatical officers (sabbatical trustees), four elected student trustees, and three appointed external trustees. Trustees are charged with responsibility for controlling the charity's work, management and administration on behalf of its members.

Clubs and societies

UCL has numerous clubs and societies which include, sports, film, drama, martial arts, politics and degree-subjects. The Union's Debating Society, founded in 1829 as the Literary and Philosophical Society, is one of the oldest student debating societies in the UK. The UCL Film & TV Society, founded in 1948, is one of the oldest in the country, it still has a dedicated studio space on campus and continues to both make and screen films;

Christopher Nolan Christopher Edward Nolan (born 30 July 1970) is a British-American filmmaker. Known for his lucrative Hollywood blockbusters with complex storytelling, Nolan is considered a leading filmmaker of the 21st century. His films have grossed $5&nb ...

and

Emma Thomas Emma Thomas Nolan (born 9 December 1971) is an English film producer, known for frequent collaborations with her husband, filmmaker Christopher Nolan. Her producing credits include '' The Dark Knight Trilogy'' (2005–2012), ''The Prestige'' (2 ...

met and developed some of their earliest films at the society.

References

External links

Students' Union UCL web site
{{Authority control University College London Students' unions in London Organizations established in 1893 1893 establishments in England Students' unions in England