Students' Association, Clubs and Societies

The Students’ Association (SA) is the organisation that represents and serves your interests, and works to make your time in Aberdeen as happy and enjoyable as possible.

To find out more visit Aberdeen University Students' Association.

Advice & Services

AUSA attempts to alleviate student hardship through the provision of its services. It has an Information & Advice Centre to answer all your important questions from healthcare to bus routes and everything in between. AUSA provides a money advice service, which can help you manage your money and help keep you out of debt. The Centre provides a comprehensive resource of private accommodation which is also available online. AUSA is able to provide advice on contracts, landlords, and living on your own for the first time.

The AUSA Sabbatical Officers are there to help you with any problems you may be having during your time at University. AUSA also hosts a comprehensive overnight support service called Niteline, which is a confidential listening and information service run by trained volunteers. AUSA runs a Joblink and Volunteering Centre with services to help you find part-time work and volunteering opportunities to enhance your CV.

Societies and Student Activities

AUSA runs over 100 societies:

  • Departmental Societies — Societies relating to the various departments at the University
  • Cultural Societies — Societies dedicated to celebrating different world cultures
  • Faith Societies — Societies celebrating different world faiths
  • Create Change Societies — Societies dedicated to environment or political concerns
  • Creative Arts Societies — Societies who like to perform or create art
  • General Interest Societies — Societies who have a particular interest or hobby

AUSA has a plethora of activities going on at all times and run successful ‘Give it a Go’ sessions throughout the year. Students can take part in one off activities on campus or try out the activities of a particular society before deciding to become a full member. All current societies hold regular events and socials which offer a fantastic opportunity to meet like-minded students.

Sporting and Competition

AUSA is very proud of its sporting achievements, with many of its students actively participating in one of 58 sports clubs. Successes have been achieved in a wide variety of sports: British University medals have been won in rowing, boxing, shooting, climbing and athletics; and in team events such as volleyball, golf, fencing, rugby, and tennis. The University has an excellent record in the Granite City challenge, where our students compete fiercely against our local rivals: Robert Gordon University. This is the largest multi-sports event in Aberdeen, and is supported and enjoyed by the whole city. If you don't want to compete, AUSA organises a wide range of non-competitive clubs, intra-mural leagues and one-off sporting events.

The Hub

The Hub is the University’s three-storey student space where you can meet friends, eat, shop, go online or just chill out. There’s HubGrub, a huge foodcourt offering five different eateries and ShopHub, including a second-hand book store. Of course there’s also the Tiki café and GlobalHub, where you can catch up on international news on the plasma screens.

The Students’ Association, Student Support Services and Careers Service are all housed in the Hub.

Student Media

The University of Aberdeen has its own radio station, Aberdeen Student Radio, and is one of the only institutions in the UK with a free, weekly newspaper. This comes in the form of Gaudie, totally run by students, for students, which reports on news from the University and the wider world.

Aberdeen Students’ Charities Campaign

Aberdeen Students' Charities Campaign is a collection of students from across Aberdeen who raise huge amounts of money for local charities through a variety of events. Two of the largest events are the Student Show; and the Torcher Parade, the largest torch-lit parade in Europe involving around 2,000 students, 45 lorries and 50,000 spectators. The Charities’ Campaign also hosts a beautiful Fashion Show and are the people responsible for providing a charitable second hand book shop in the Hub called Bookends.

Getting Involved

AUSA is run by over one hundred elected students, six of whom are elected "sabbatical officers", meaning they are paid to work for a year, essentially as full-time student ambassadors. It is easy to get involved with AUSA. It is incredibly rewarding, and a fantastic opportunity to meet new people. Elections are held every year, so there are regular chances to make a difference and get involved.

Events

On a large scale, AUSA organise and host a variety of events each year including Freshers Week and Graduation Ball. It also hosts smaller events and campaigns such as the infamous Superteams Sporting Challenge and welfare campaigns which bring student issues to the forefront of campus.