Student clubs are an essential part of campus life, and when you come to study at the University of Central Lancashire, don’t you want to experience some new things that have a British flavour or are not easily accessible at home? When it comes to modern sports that are popular in the West, we have to mention equestrianism, archery and fencing, which are popular with European aristocrats. It may cost a lot to experience them once, but at the University of Central Lancashire, fancy societies take Lancashire students to play the aristocratic life. In addition, UCLan has different sports clubs, associations for hobbies, and more than 100 student societies of various sizes, so come and see if there is anything you are interested in!
Equestrian
Probably, the image of Prince Charming is too deeply rooted in the hearts of people; the British royal family is very passionate about horseback riding. Princess Anne also represented Britain in the 1988 Olympic Games equestrian events. The 200-year-old Royal Ascot is an annual event that Britain’s high society eagerly awaits. Members of the British royal family attend in full regalia on race day. What is it about equestrianism that fascinates the aristocracy?
UCLan Equestrian Club will help you find out. Whether you’re new to horse riding, an experienced rider or a rookie interested in equestrianism, there’s something for everyone. Every Wednesday activity, go to a local speciality horse farm for training. Riding in the sunset with an idyllic view of the countryside is exciting to think about!
Archery
Modern archery originated in the 19th century when the British aristocracy already used archery as their daily leisure sport. Legend has it that there was a hero called Robin Hood who travelled around with a bow and arrows, and the bow commonly used by the British aristocracy was the “Robin Hood Bow” in his hands. In addition, there is a dress code for archery: men should wear tuxedos and high hats; women should wear long dresses and pretty high hats.
Modern archery competitions were initially modified by shooting beer keg labels but later improved by George IV of England into a ring scoring system, which is still in use today. Do you want to be a good-looking shooter? UCLan Archery Club is the place for you. Established in 2014, the Archery Club offers 6-week shooting courses and weekly training at the Sports Arena. You can meet up with a couple of archery enthusiasts and have a great time after school.
Fencing
In Europe, fencing is a representative sport of the nobility with a chivalrous spirit. During the Middle Ages, fencing was known as one of the “Seven Noble and Chivalrous Sports”, along with horse riding, swimming, hunting, chess, poetry and spear throwing, and in the 14th century, fencing became a fashionable sport amongst the upper class in Spain, France and Italy as it became a trend amongst the knightly classes.
Lancashire has a UCLan Knights Fencing Team, which will give you a taste of chivalry. Both boys and girls can apply to join the team if they are interested. The team trains on Tuesdays at Sir Tom Finney Sports Centre with professional coaches to teach you how to become a qualified fencer. You will also have the opportunity to compete with fencing teams from other UK universities.
Dance
Dance Club has been the most prominent student club in Lancashire for the last five years. It runs a variety of classes throughout the year for all abilities. No previous dancing experience is required. We encourage anyone & everyone to come and give it a go! Classes include Lyrical, Ballet, Tap, Contemporary, Hip-Hop, Jazz, Heels and a few alternative styles. All of the classes have a unique, friendly atmosphere where you can make friends for life, work on your dance technique, and make loads of unforgettable memories.
UCLan Dance Club has its competition teams representing UCLan nationally, and they always take up any opportunity to perform. The competitions give the best chance to spend a great day with the club. Travelling to great universities and seeing outstanding performances with the best group of people always leads to making lifelong memories and hysterical laughs.
Model United Nations
Model United Nations (known as Model UN or MUN) is an activity in which students role-play delegates to the United Nations, simulate UN committees, and learn about diplomacy, international relations, current world issues, and the UN itself. Members have the opportunity to deliver public speeches, develop critical thinking, and improve writing and research skills.
Mock conferences will be held once every two weeks at a date and time convenient for all members, usually on Wednesday afternoons in Livesey House. Topics and countries will be assigned the week before each meeting. MUN conferences also offer opportunities to enhance your CV and help you to develop public speaking, critical thinking, situation analysis, writing and research skills. In addition, you can learn the importance of seeing matters from someone else’s perspective, leading you to expand your vision of seeing the world.
FAQ
How do I find a student club that suits me?
UCLan has over 100 student clubs ranging from sports, music, academic, cultural to special interest groups. You can easily browse and filter through the list on our website or attend the Fresher’s Fair to explore your options.
How can I join a society at UCLan?
Joining a society at UCLan is straightforward. Simply identify a society that aligns with your interests, then visit the Students’ Union or respective society’s page for membership details.
Are there any rewards or recognition for participating in societies at UCLan?
Yes, the Students’ Union recognises the hard work, time, and effort that students put into volunteering activities through awards like the Livesey Award.
