More than a qualification: What extra-curricular activities can you do at college?
College life is more than just coursework. It’s a chance to try new things, discover your strengths, build confidence, and make memories.
Whether you’re studying construction, business, engineering or performing arts, did you know there’s a whole host of extra-curricular enrichment activities you could do?
From joining student unions to trying out sports or even trips abroad, these activities help you build confidence, expand your network, and boost your CV, all while having fun.
Why do extra-curriculars matter?
It’s easy to see college as just a stepping stone. Get in, get qualified, move on. But that mindset can mean missing out on opportunities to grow personally and professionally.
Extra-curricular activities offer you the chance to shape your own experience, make connections, and prepare for what comes next – whether that’s going to university or heading straight into a career.
Employers and universities are looking for well-rounded applicants, not just good grades. They’re interested in people who have built up a range of transferrable skills like teamwork, communication, leadership and time management. These are all skills you build outside the classroom.
Doing more during your time at college also looks good on your CV and UCAS applications. It makes you stand out and tells a more complete story about who you are as a person. It also helps give you real-life examples to use at interviews. When you’re asked, “Tell me about a time you worked in a team,” you’ll have a story from your club or society.
Most importantly, engaging in social, creative or physical activities is good for your mental wellbeing. It can reduce stress, boost confidence, and offer a bit of balance from the academic side of college.
What’s available at college?
Each of our three colleges offer different enrichment opportunities, but they all have a wide range of clubs, societies and schemes available including:
Student Union and Leadership Programme
Represent your classmates, organise events, or work on campaigns that matter to you. Applications for the 2025/26 academic year are open until Friday 16th May. You could apply for various roles from president or student governor to officer roles for activities and welfare, minorities, women, LGBTQIA+ and the new sustainability role.
Skills for Employment
Power up your skills for employment with this new initiative aimed at helping you become a top-class employee. You’ll work towards certification in a choice of ten transferrable skills such as communication, critical thinking, leadership, resilience and time-management.
Clubs and societies
From driving theory practice to Dungeons and Dragons groups, film and anime clubs to LGBTQ+ society and wellbeing sessions – there’s something for everyone. If you’re a creative person looking for a new way to express yourself, how about arts and crafts, music or karaoke groups. Not fancying anything we have on offer? You could even start your own.
Enrichment, activities and clubs at College
Sports and fitness
Whether you’re into competitive sports or just want to stay active, we have the Momentous Football Academy, Lync Active fitness sessions, an esports academy and club, plus access to our Fitness 63 gym at discounted students rates.
Turing Scheme
Go further than you ever thought possible as an RNN student by signing up to the Turing Scheme. This exciting educational programme involves a grant-funded two-week international trip aimed at giving students the opportunity to develop new skills and boost their employability.
This year, our students have been to the beautiful Indonesian island of Bali where they visited the UNESCO World Heritage rice terrace and a coffee plantation to learn more about sustainable farming, cleaned up the beaches, did mask painting, printing and Batik workshops with natives, and celebrated the Indonesian independence day.
See more about our student’s Turing trip to Bali
Extra-curricular means extra commitment – How will I fit it in?
You might be thinking, “I already have coursework, a part-time job, and other responsibilities. How can I fit more in?”
The good news is that most of our enrichment activities are flexible. Many clubs have drop-in sessions so you can choose what fits your schedule.
Others, like our Skills for Employment programme, are short-term projects. You can choose which of the ten power skills you want to develop, and there’s no requirement to do them all.
You don’t have to commit to doing everything. Trying just new activity is a great way to start. Check with your college’s student services personal development team about what’s available, or look out for enrichment notice boards around campus.
You never know, you might find a new passion, a new friend, or even a new path for your future.