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Information for societies

Basic information about Societies at Cambridge University

Official societies in the University are not at all regulated by the students union, but through the Societies Syndicate, a body (set up in the 1960s) which receives funding to pass on to University Societies in the form of grants. This situation is unlike that at virtually every other university in the country, where societies are regulated and receive funding through the respective Student Union.

CUSU believes that Societies are an important part of student life at Cambridge and should be encouraged and fostered. To this end, although CUSU receives no direct funding for society functions, it wishes to provide quality services for them.

Not all societies choose to register, though. However doing so confers some benefits. There are also many college-based societies, run through the JCRs and MCRs

Forming societies and obtaining funds

When forming or organising a student society at Cambridge University there are three possibilities.

  1. University-wide societies (registered)
  2. University-wide societies (unregistered)
  3. College-based societies

To set up a bank account, a society should go to a bank and ask to set up a clubs and charities account. It requires a senior and Junior treasurer, and a minimum of three signatories, although you can arrange for one signatory on the cheques.

Further information on obtaining funding from the Societies Synducate, and VAT registration is available here.

Representation on the Societies Syndicate

NUS Societies Handbook

The NUS Societies Handbook is provided by the NUS and may be useful for CUSU members wishing to set up societies who need some help in where to start. It contains a lot of useful information, in particular draft constitutions in the appendix. Bear in mind it is written at a national level, so there may be some sections which are less applicable to the Cambridge situation.

Information for societies