The importance of extra-curricular activities

Extra-curricular activities are a central part of university life. While your degree gives you subject knowledge, what you do beyond lectures helps you:

• build confidence
• expand your network
• improve your employability.

As John Barrow, dean for employability and entrepreneurship at The University of Aberdeen, explains, these experiences 'build independence, resilience, and communication skills that feed directly back into academic life', while Ruki Heritage, director of student experience at the University of Bedfordshire, adds that they help 'create more rounded graduates who are better prepared for life beyond university.'

What are extra-curricular activities?

Extra-curricular activities are anything you take part in alongside your academic studies. They include:

• creative or digital projects (such as blogging, podcasts or portfolios)
• part-time jobs
• student jobs at university
• university societies and sports clubs
• volunteering or community work.

These activities can be formal - such as holding a committee position - or informal, such as building an online presence or developing a personal project.

Why are extra-curricular activities important?

Develop transferable skills

Your degree won't always give you the chance to practise workplace skills in real-world situations. Extra-curricular activities help you build that experience.

As John notes, these kinds of experiences help you to 'develop skills which are relevant in almost any context,' such as:

• leadership - organising activities or managing others
• project management - planning events and meeting deadlines
• teamwork - collaborating towards shared goals.

For example, organising a society event helps you develop planning and coordination skills, while volunteering builds confidence working with a range of people.

Improve your employability

Employers don't just look at your degree - they want to see how you apply your skills in practical situations. Extra-curricular activities help you demonstrate:

• adaptability - learning new skills in different environments
• commitment - staying involved over time
• impact - contributing meaningfully to a group or project
• initiative - showing you've actively sought opportunities.

For example:

• a society committee role shows leadership and organisation
• part-time work proves reliability and time management
• student media highlights creativity and content skills
• volunteering demonstrates communication and responsibility.

These experiences also give you strong examples to use in competency-based interviews, and as Ruki emphasises, 'the key is reflection - students need to clearly explain what they did, what they learned, and the impact they made.'

Build your network

Extra-curricular activities make it easier to meet people and build connections at university.

Through them, you can:

• connect with guest speakers, alumni and employers
• discover internships, placements and job opportunities
• make friends and feel part of a community
• meet students from different courses.

Networking doesn't need to be formal. Conversations, shared interests and regular involvement can all lead to opportunities and, as John notes, these experiences also help students understand 'what they enjoy, what they're good at, and what they might want to pursue in future.'

The connections you build can continue to benefit you after you graduate.

Support your academic performance

Although extra-curricular activities take time, they can support your studies. As John highlights, experiences outside your course 'build independence, resilience, and communication skills that feed directly back into academic life.'

If you feel more connected to university life, you're also more likely to stay motivated in your studies and, as Ruki notes, 'when balanced well, extra-curricular activities can positively support academic performance by improving time management, motivation, and engagement.'

Improve your wellbeing

University can be demanding, and activities outside your course can help you manage stress.

Being part of a group or working towards something outside your programme can make a big difference to your overall wellbeing, and as Ruki explains, they support this by nurturing 'social connection and a sense of belonging.'

They'll also help to:

• boost your confidence and mood
• create a sense of routine
• give you a break from academic pressure
• reduce feelings of isolation.

However, Ruki also warns that 'overcommitment can create stress and reduce study time,' so it's important to maintain balance. John echoes this point, noting that 'your ability to concentrate, stay motivated, and think clearly depends on taking proper time to rest.'

Explore your interests

You might:

• build a portfolio of work
• develop a hobby into something more serious
• explore a potential career area
• try a new sport or creative activity.

This can help you make more informed decisions about your future career and better understand where your strengths lie. As Ruki explains, these experiences can 'reveal strengths or passions that may not emerge through academic study alone.'

How do employers view extra-curricular activities?

Employers use extra-curricular activities as evidence of your potential - not just your experience.

When reviewing your application, they often ask:

• Have you taken initiative beyond your degree?
• What skills have you developed?
• How have you applied those skills?

Your extra-curricular involvement shows that you're proactive, motivated and willing to develop your skills - qualities that can make a real difference when applying for competitive graduate roles.

How many activities should I do?

You might feel pressure to join as many activities as possible, but this isn't necessary.

• Avoid overcommitment - taking on too much can affect both your studies and wellbeing. Be realistic about what you can manage and adjust your commitments if needed.
• Build depth - staying involved and progressing within an activity - such as moving into a leadership role - shows development, reliability and commitment.
• Focus on impact - employers value meaningful involvement more than a long list of memberships. It's better to commit to a small number of activities and then take on responsibility over time.

As Ruki explains, 'students often assume that a long list of activities is more impressive, but depth of involvement is usually more valuable.'

With so many options available, choosing activities can feel overwhelming.

To help narrow it down, start by asking yourself, do you:

• enjoy meeting new people?
• need flexibility around other commitments?
• want to build your confidence?
• want to improve your career prospects?

Focus on activities that match your interests, goals and circumstances, bearing in mind, as John adds, that 'the most effective habits are simple and sustainable.' The key is to find something that works for you.

What activities look good on a CV?

There isn't a single 'best' activity. What matters is how relevant your experience is and the impact you can demonstrate.

Some popular and valuable options include:

• cultural or international societies
• fundraising and charity work
• part-time work
• peer mentoring or support schemes
• sports teams and fitness activities
• student ambassador or representative roles
• student media (newspapers, radio, podcasts)
• volunteering and community work.

The most important thing is how you present your experience. Employers want to see what you achieved on your CV- not just what you joined. For example, instead of 'treasurer of the dance society', you could write 'managed a £5,000 budget and organised fundraising events, increasing participation'.

Using clear evidence and outcomes makes your experience more credible and compelling and, as Ruki emphasises, 'strong examples, framed with outcomes and responsibilities, make experiences meaningful to employers.'

Can extra-curricular activities replace work experience?

If you have little or no formal work experience, extra-curricular activities can still help you build convincing examples to use in interviews.

Employers often use competency-based interviews, where you'll need to show how you've demonstrated key skills. Your extra-curricular activities give you clear, relevant examples to draw on.

As Ruki explains, 'what matters is the skills gained and the ability to reflect on outcomes - not the format of the activity.'

Taking on additional responsibility - particularly in leadership roles - can strengthen your experience further. These roles help you:

• demonstrate accountability
• organisation
• the ability to work effectively with others.

You don't need a formal title to demonstrate leadership. Organising an event, leading a group task or taking responsibility for a project can all give you clear examples to use in applications. Some examples include:

• becoming a course representative
• contributing to student media or lead a project
• running for a society committee position.

In these roles, you'll gain practical, real-world experience in:

• budgeting and financial planning
• handling challenges and resolving conflicts
• managing people and delegating tasks
• organising events and projects
• public speaking and presenting ideas.

Extra-curricular activities won't fully replace formal work experience, but they can significantly strengthen your CV and help you compete for graduate roles - especially when you show the impact you've made.

Should I choose activities based on my career goals?

Choosing activities that align with your career goals can make your experience more relevant when applying for jobs, but as Ruki explains, extra-curricular activities can 'significantly influence career direction by exposing students to new interests and environments.'

For example:

• engineering - coding projects, Formula Student, robotics clubs
• finance - investment or economics society, treasurer role
• law - debating society, mooting, student law socie
• marketing - blogging, student newspaper, social media society
• healthcare - community volunteering, hospital work
• teaching - mentoring schemes, volunteering with children.

That said, it's important to balance career-focused activities with those you simply enjoy. This helps you stay motivated and get more out of your experience.

To make the most of your involvement:

• be proactive - look for ways to contribute, not just attend
• keep a record - track your achievements and outcomes for applications
• reflect on your experience - think about the skills you're developing and how they link to your goals
• take on responsibility - even small leadership roles can make an impact.

Ruki's advice is simple, 'focus on quality over quantity. Choose activities that genuinely interest you and invest time in developing them.'

How do I get started?

To find extra-curricular opportunities, you can:

• attend freshers' fairs
• check noticeboards in common rooms or online groups
• explore your students' union website
• speak to other students.

If you can't find the right opportunity, you could:

• become a hall or course representative
• contribute to student radio or a newspaper
• stand in student elections
• start your own society.

What if I'm nervous about getting involved?

It's normal to feel unsure about joining new activities, especially when you start university.

To ease yourself in:

• attend a taster session or trial event
• go with a friend - or remember that many people attend alone
• join at any point in the year, not just during freshers' week.

If something doesn't feel right, don't worry - you can try something else until you find a good fit, and as John emphasises, making the most of your time means using it 'in a way that works for you.'

Find out more

• Explore student side hustles.
• Discover how to make the most of the summer break.
• Check out our tips on managing student stress.