At Somerville, we have a wide variety of societies and sports organizations, ranging from normal to unique. Societies receive some funding from the JCR each year, which means that membership is typically free of charge, though this differs from society to society.
Below is an incomplete list of societies at Somerville along with contact information to join the society. If you want to get involved, feel free to reach out to any of the leaders of the societies below.
If you want your society listed, reach out to the IT & Communications Officer at jcr_it.rep@some.ox.ac.uk.
Somerville Music Society
Somerville Music Society is in charge of most musical events in college. Alongside being in charge of Somerville’s music equipment and spaces, we organize a host of events throughout the year including termly concerts and recitals, open mic nights and music soirees. We also run an orchestra weekly that is open to all instruments and play a wide range of music.
Instagram: @somervillemusicsociety
Email: music.soc@some.ox.ac.uk
Somerville College Basketball Club
Our club is open to anyone and everyone at Somerville; whether you are an experienced basketball player, or completely new to the sport, there is a place for you in our team! During Michaelmas and Hilary, we play in “College League”. In Trinity term, we play in “Cuppers”, an inter-college knockout competition. Aside from this, we occasionally rent out courts for those wanting to play more casually, and sometimes enter events outside of the University for our more competitive players. Please do get in touch with us if you are interested in playing… we’d love to have you join the team!
Instagram: @ville_bball
Ville Men’s FC
We are a very relaxed football club, welcoming players of all levels! We play matches most Sundays in Michaelmas and Hilary, in the league and the cup, as well as socials with other colleges in the week. Join up through the WhatsApp if you fancy giving it a try!
Instagram: @villemensfc
Somerville Bouldering Society
Come along to Somerville’s fastest growing society! We climb at Gallery (indoors with no ropes needed!) every Saturday at 2pm, and sometimes also go on Wednesdays. It’s a great way to meet people, and exercise your body and mind, join up through the WhatsApp!
Instagram: @somervilleboulderingsoc
Some Girls Run Club
Social run club for the w*men (women and gender minorities) of Somerville College
Instagram: @somegirlsrunclub
Somerville Baking Society
The Somerville College Baking Society is a college institution, beloved by its members not just because it’s a great place to make friends and hone your baking skills, but because it guarantees you a supply of fresh-baked good every week. It’s also well-known as an awesome stress-reliever, providing a respite from the stresses of work as well as a chance to catch up with friends (even if the bakes don’t always go to plan!).
Instagram: @somerville_baking
Somerville College Boat Club
Oxford and Cambridge are indelibly associated with competitive rowing – so why not get your first taste of the sport (or prove your mastery if you’re already a pro) with the Somerville Boat Club? They’re a friendly bunch who capture the close-knit team ethos and true diversity of the sport. Even if you’ve never stepped foot in a boat, it’s worth a shot simply for the chance to get out on the river and see Oxford in a whole new light. And who knows where it might lead? Our very own Rosie Thorogood (2020, Chemistry) recently gained her Blue rowing bow for the women’s team in the Boat Race.
Instagram: @someboatclub
Somerville Board Game Society
Somerville College is home to one of the most active board game groups in the university. The society runs weekly board game socials on Wednesdays at 7:30pm. We have a large collection of board and card games spanning a range of different genres and complexities. We welcome visitors from across the university. Just give us a message on our Instagram and you can pop by for a game, alone or with friends!
Instagram: @somerville_boardgame_soc
Somerville Deception Society
We are Somerville’s only society where you can develop your logical and social deduction skills, make new friends and then lie to them. We play an assortment of deception-themed games, including: mafia, werewolf, Avalon, but primarily the best game in the genre – Blood on the Clocktower. Everyone is welcome to come along on Monday to the JCR at 7pm and give deceiving a go!
Instagram: @somerville_deception_society