The Student Experience

As a student at The Park, a full range of sporting, arts and social activities is available to you.

Social Opportunities

The Student’ Union (S.U) organises most of the social activities in and around the University, from social events to competitive sport and an exciting programme entertainments. The S.U. runs bars on each campus, which are open to all students of the University.

The culmination of the social calendar is the Summer Ball. Over 6,000 students attend this, one of the largest University Balls in Europe. Recent headline acts have included Kosheen, Goldie Lookin’ Chain, The Lightening Seeds, Catatonia, Atomic Kitten, Jools Holland, Wheatus and others.

Cheltenham and Gloucester both offer an excellent nightlife, which includes many cafés and bars, a multitude of international restaurants and a good range of night clubs.

Cheltenham is an international centre for the arts and plays host to the Literature, Folk, Music, Jazz, Poetry and Science Festivals.

University and S.U. Activities

The University had a long tradition in sporting activities to be proud of. As a long-standing member of BUSA (British Universities Sports Association), the University’s sporting clubs continue to compete with the best in the country. A University Sports Scholarship scheme also exists to support athletes in a range of sports.

There are over 50 different clubs and societies to join including; kendo, football, hockey, cricket, waterpolo, rugby, live music society, Sci Fi and fantasy society.

The University has its own artistic heritage and some excellent exhibition space, reflecting its national position in arts education for 140 years.
If you enjoy performing you can join the University choir or MAD – the Music, Acting and Dance society. Recent live shows produced by MAD have included Oklahoma! And Me and My Girl.
Many students find joining the social or sporting activities at the University to be the best way of making new friends and stimulating new interests.

Leisure Activities

During March each year, the Cheltenham Race Festival (Gold Cup) attracts thousands of visitors from around the world. It provides welcome part-time work opportunities for students. Many people also come to the Cheltenham Cricket Festival. This popular festival continues to attract many country and national teams.
Gloucester is home to one of the UK’s most popular Blues festivals, which along with the annual Cajun festival provides a great alternative to the festivals of Cheltenham.

Local sporting facilities include the Sandford Lido (open air pool), Cheltenham Recreation Centre, the Prince of Wales Stadium and many others.
The Everyman Theatre and the Town Hall in Cheltenham provide venues to a variety of touring shows with big name stars from the world of theatre and television.

Employment Support

The Students’ Union has its own ‘JobShop’ to help you find part-time or temporary work. The S.U. itself employs over 60 regular student staff members to help run its services.