‘Student life’ and the ‘student experience’ are phrases that you’ve probably seen often during your university research. But what does that mean at Edge Hill?
We’re proud of our welcoming and nurturing community. And we’re pleased that there are activities taking place across our campus and in the local area suitable for all personalities.
Want to get an idea of what you can get up to whilst you’re here? We’ve put together some examples to get you started.
For everyone…
Once you’ve enrolled and joined us in September, you should sign up to the Student Life Portal. You’ll automatically have a student account, but you should make sure to access the portal as soon as you can. The Student Life Portal displays all our upcoming, free events. The events are designed for you to get involved and meet like-minded individuals. Events run throughout the year, on different days and times to ensure that as many people as possible can attend. Some events even include off-campus trips so you can get a taste of the local area.
For the sports lovers…
If you’re someone who likes to take part in sport, you can join Edge Hill Sport. Whether that’s so you can use free weights in the gym, swim laps of the pool, or to hire the sports courts, there is something for all fitness fanatics to enjoy.
Edge Hill Sport
Rather play as part of a team? Join one of our sports clubs as part of Team Edge Hill. Join any of our teams: athletics, badminton, football, hockey, netball, tennis and many more. As part of your Team Edge Hill membership, you’ll have access to the free Sports Therapy Clinic on campus, elite personal accident insurance cover and more. And you’ll also have the chance to take part in the renowned Varsity competition against UCLan. It’s one of the most eagerly awaited days of sport on campus, one you won’t want to miss.
Alternatively, if you’re not one to take part, but just love to watch, you can support our sports team. Whether you follow them to their away fixtures, just stick to the home ones, you can be the cheering, smiling face that encourages the team to win.
Want to engage in sport but don’t want to pay a membership? Here at Edge Hill, we host parkrun every Saturday, starting from The Sports Centre. Parkrun is a free 5km walk, jog or run, suitable for all abilities. All you need to do is sign up and bring our barcode along.
If you like to socialise…
Attend your Welcome Week fair. This is your chance to hear from all the clubs and societies at Edge Hill and sign up for your favourite ones. During the event, you’ll see more students who are starting their university journey, just like you. And it’s a good chance to meet current students who can tell you why joining their society is a good idea. There are often some freebies up for grabs too, so make sure to look at every stall and take a bag with you.
Join a club or society. Or at least try one out. Whether you’re trying something new for the first time, or choosing a hobby you’ve had for a while, you’ll be welcomed with open arms. They’re the perfect opportunity to meet people who have the same interests as you.
If you join a sports club, you’ll soon realise that Wednesday nights are for fancy dress. There are often themes that all clubs will follow, so you’ll see a sea of similar outfits across campus and in the local area. So if fancy dress is your thing, you’ll enjoy Wednesday social nights.
If a more chilled-out night is the kind of thing for you, you should check out the events taking place in The Arts Centre. From theatre shows and films to open-mic nights and more, there are many options to suit everyone. Sometimes, there are even some famous faces who take to the stage.
Want to socialise and test your brain skills? Take part in a pub quiz. Grab your friends and make a team that won’t be beaten. Check out what the Students’ Union is hosting, or you could venture out to Ormskirk’s Food and Drink Market and take part in their part in their quiz. You could even win a financial reward.
If you want to enhance your employability prospects…
If you’re planning to work alongside your studies, you can make it a sociable event by making friends in the workplace, whilst also building skills to enhance your CV. Plus, it’s also a great way to earn some extra money. Our Careers Team can support you with finding part-time work. And they can provide support with managing time and balancing your studies.
Another option is to volunteer for a local organisation. Not only can this open the door to new opportunities, it can also inspire your future career. You’ll have the opportunity to make a difference in the community and develop your skills through valuable experiences.
If you’ve already read the ‘if you like to socialise…’ section, you’ll have seen the mention of joining a club or society. If you do this in your first year and continue throughout your degree, you may have the chance to be elected to the society’s committee. This is usually competitive, which is why we suggest joining in year 1, but it’s also a real positive to add to your CV. It shows commitment to the society and it also recognises your time management skills as you’ve balanced your studies with this role.
If you’re a non-drinker…
There is often a misunderstanding that you need to drink alcohol at university to have fun, but that’s not true. It’s completely ok not to drink alcohol and still join in with social activities. And there are many activities to participate in where there is no alcohol necessary. Here are a few options:
- Board games night (or morning). This would be a nice way to get to know your new university friends. Whilst also being competitive in a game of your choice. And what’s great about this is that you don’t even need to leave your accommodation. Grab some of your favourite snacks, wear your comfiest clothes and get your game face on.
- Cook for your friends. You could gather a group of friends and take turns to cook for each other. Which means you get a break from cooking, and you could even get to try new things. Or you could be a little more sophisticated and host a dinner party for your guests. Perhaps you could each cook a course each?
- If you’re more of a daytime person, you could organise a hike. We’d recommend going with a friend to ensure safety and picking a safe route. As we’re located in the heart of the North West, there are lots of options in the local area for you to try.
- Creative workshops. Keep a lookout on the Student Life Portal to see what creative activities are taking place on campus. But there are also businesses nearby that host activities like this. Such as Eden Tea Rooms in Newburgh, where you can paint a pot.
For the foodies…
At Edge Hill, we’re lucky to have several food outlets on campus. With numerous cafés for your coffee fix, the EH market with stalls offering a range of cuisines, Costa, Subway and even a pizza truck, there is something for everyone. No matter where your studies are based on campus, you’ll find a catering outlet nearby to quench your thirst.
Edge Hill FoodThese are just some of the things you can get up to whilst you’re here. There are plenty more activities taking place over the year and you’ll still have the chance to continue your current hobbies too.
June 19, 2025
