At UCLA, academics are just one part of the experience. Campus life is just as full of opportunities. With over 33,000 undergraduates in its most recent admission cycle, Bruins have access to more than 1,200 clubs and organizations, making extracurricular activities at UCLA a huge part of student life.
Whether you’re planning your college experience or just figuring out where you’ll fit in, there’s a wide range of UCLA clubs and activities to explore. From finding the right ones to getting involved, here’s what to expect as you make the most of campus life from day one.
- What Are the Different Extracurricular Activities at UCLA?
- How to Find the Right UCLA Clubs and Activities for You
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Takeaways
What Are the Different Extracurricular Activities at UCLA?
There’s an extracurricular activity at UCLA for everyone. Here’s a quick look at the different types of UCLA clubs and activities you can get involved in:
- Student-run clubs and organizations. With over 1,200 organizations, you’ll find options tied to academics, cultures, hobbies, and more—no matter your background.
- Sports and recreation. From recreational leagues to club sports, UCLA has programs for every skill level and interest.
- Student government. Take on leadership roles and represent your peers through elected councils and leadership positions across campus.
- Arts and culture. Join groups focused on music, dance, theater, and cultural expression.
- Business and entrepreneurship. Take part in startup incubators, finance clubs, and case competitions that challenge you in real business scenarios.
- Community service and outreach. Engage with LA and beyond through volunteer projects and service-focused organizations.
Extracurricular activities at UCLA are part of what makes life as a Bruin meaningful. From your first quarter, you’re encouraged to explore interests beyond the classroom, and the range of UCLA clubs and organizations makes that possible.
Academic clubs and organizations
At UCLA, you can choose to join clubs and organizations that align with your majors or future career paths. This is a great way to build practical skills and professional networks. Here are five top academic clubs to check out:
- American Medical Student Association (AMSA) at UCLA. A club dedicated to helping pre-med students prepare for medical school through mentorship, clinical exposure, and events.
- American Institute of Chemical Engineers (AIChE). Brings together students interested in chemical engineering through networking events, technical projects, and industry insights.
- Bruin Linguists Society. A community for linguistics students to promote the field through discussions, workshops, and professional networking.
- Bruin Marketing. A student-run club offering hands-on experience in marketing with real-world campaigns, workshops, and networking opportunities.
- Biomedical Engineering Society (BMES). Provides resources for students in biomedical engineering through competitions, industry connections, and professional development events.
Sports and recreation
Sports and recreation are a big part of extracurricular activities at UCLA. And you don’t have to be a varsity athlete to get involved! UCLA’s active campus culture makes it easy to get moving, offering everything from competitive leagues to outdoor adventures and casual games with friends. UCLA clubs and activities like these give you a chance to prioritize wellness and stay balanced alongside your academics.
Here are a few ways to get involved:
- Club sports. A mix of competitive and recreational teams like archery, ultimate frisbee, rugby, and rowing—all student-run and open through tryouts or sign-ups.
- Intramural leagues. Weekly games in soccer, volleyball, basketball, and more. These are perfect if you’re looking for lower-stakes team play, campus-wide tournaments, and other organized recreational activities.
- UCLA recreation programs. Free to all students and home to gyms, pools, and over 100 group fitness classes like yoga, cycling, and kickboxing.
- Bruin outdoors. A program for hiking, backpacking, and weekend trips that let students explore California and connect with others who share a love for the outdoors.
Entrepreneurship, innovation, and tech
Entrepreneurship, innovation, and tech are major areas of student involvement at UCLA. From launching startups and building apps to solving real-world business challenges, you’ll find plenty of ways to explore these interests—regardless of your major. Many are student-led or supported by campus programs that encourage collaboration.
Here are a few of the top clubs and programs where you can test ideas, build projects, or collaborate on something new:
- Bruin Entrepreneurs. One of UCLA’s most active startup organizations, known for pitch competitions, founder meetups, and guest speakers.
- Startup UCLA. A campus-backed program that supports student-led startups with mentorship, development support, and summer accelerator sessions.
- Nova, Tech for Good. A student group that builds tech-based solutions for nonprofits and community needs.
- DevX. A student-run program where teams design, build, and launch original tech solutions through hands-on collaboration and mentorship.
- Association for Computing Machinery (ACM) at UCLA. A major student-run tech group offering coding workshops, hands-on projects, and mentorship across skill levels.
Service and volunteering
Beyond personal interests, service and volunteering play a big role in campus life at UCLA. Many students get involved in clubs and programs supporting the UCLA community and greater LA, working on everything from education and sustainability to food justice.
If you’re looking to make a difference and support causes you care about, here are some of the ways you can step up as a Bruin:
- UCLA Volunteer Center. The campus hub for volunteering, known for its annual Volunteer Day, service trips, and year-round matching opportunities.
- Circle K at UCLA. A highly active service organization with weekly volunteer events supporting local causes like food banks, shelters, and environmental cleanups.
- GlobeMed at UCLA. A student organization that partners with global nonprofits to promote health equity through education, fundraising, and hands-on outreach.
- Swipe Out Hunger. A national nonprofit started at UCLA that lets students donate unused meal plan swipes to support food-insecure peers.
- Project Literacy at UCLA. A service-based group that provides one-on-one tutoring and academic support to K–12 students and adults in underserved communities across LA.
Student government and leadership
Student government at UCLA is a space to lead, collaborate, and make a real impact on campus. From policy and student advocacy to event planning and representation, these leadership roles are some of the most active forms of extracurricular activities at UCLA. Here are some of the top ways to get involved:
- USAC (Undergraduate Students Association Council). The main governing body for undergraduates, shaping policies, advocating for student issues, and organizing events that impact campus life.
- ASUCLA (Associated Students UCLA). Manages student services, including campus stores and food services, focusing on improving student life and meeting campus needs.
- Bruin Leaders Project (BLP). A seminar-style program that builds leadership skills through collaboration and UCLA’s Social Change Model.
- Bruin Republicans and Bruin Democrats. Political groups that offer leadership roles for students engaged in activism, civic involvement, and advocacy on and off campus.
Arts and creative opportunities
From student-run theater to campus design collectives, UCLA has a thriving creative community. Spanning performance, visual art, media, and storytelling, you don’t have to major in the arts to get involved. Extracurricular activities at UCLA give you the space to create, collaborate, and explore new forms of expression:
- Fashion and Student Trends (FAST) at UCLA. One of the most recognized creative organizations on campus, known for its student-led fashion shows and design collaboration.
- HOOLIGAN Theatre Company. A non-audition, nonprofit musical theater group open to all students interested in acting, directing, stage management, or tech.
- Film and Photography Society (FPS). A creative space where students can explore filmmaking, editing, and photography, with opportunities to work on short films and creative visuals—no experience required.
- Dead Writers Society. Encourages student writers to meet regularly, share original work, exchange peer feedback, and build a creative community around poetry and prose.
- Shenanigans Comedy Club at UCLA. Focused on sketch, stand-up, and improv comedy, this student-run group offers opportunities to write, perform, and collaborate on original productions.
How to Find the Right UCLA Clubs and Activities for You
Finding clubs is easy, but choosing the ones that match your goals, time, and interests takes more thought. Finding the right UCLA clubs and activities takes reflection on what’s meaningful and manageable for you.
To help you narrow it down, here are a few ways to explore your options more intentionally:
- Browse through UCLA’s club list, where you can filter your choices by interests, categories, or keywords.
- Visit UCLA’s undergraduate admissions page, which highlights popular clubs and organizations by area of interest.
- Utilize BruinLife, UCLA’s student media outlet, for real student perspectives on clubs and campus culture.
- Explore resources from Student Organizations, Leadership & Engagement (SOLE), which can help you find clubs that align with your interests and goals.
- Use your MyUCLA account, once enrolled, to find student groups linked to your major or academic interests.
- Attend the Enormous Activities Fair at the beginning of the year to meet club reps, ask questions, and sign up for mailing lists.
When looking at UCLA’s wide range of clubs and activities, ask yourself the following before committing to the right fit:
- Can you realistically balance this club with classes and other responsibilities?
- Are you genuinely curious or excited about what this group does?
- Will this club give you a space to connect with people you enjoy working with?
- Will this experience help you build skills, leadership experience, or explore a career path?
- Is this organization beginner-friendly, or does it require auditions, applications, or experience?
Once you’ve found extracurriculars at UCLA that feel like a good fit, the next step is to show up, stay engaged, and see what sticks. That consistency is what shapes your experience—helping you grow socially, professionally, and personally.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. How many student clubs and organizations does UCLA have?
UCLA offers over 1,200 student clubs and organizations. From academic teams and leadership programs to sports and recreation, service-based groups, and niche hobbies, there’s something for everyone. These extracurricular activities at UCLA are central to student life and make it easy to find community.
2. How can I find and join clubs at UCLA?
As an aspiring Bruin, you can explore UCLA’s extracurricular activities through the official UCLA clubs list or campus resources like BruinLife, which offer insight into the student experience. Once on campus, use your MyUCLA account to find clubs tied to your interests, or attend the Enormous Activities Fair to talk to club reps, ask about applications, and sign up.
3. Does UCLA have student government organizations?
Yes, there are! UCLA’s Undergraduate Students Association Council (USAC) is the main student government body on campus. It works with groups like ASUCLA, which manages student services and campus operations. As one of many UCLA clubs and organizations focused on leadership, joining student government gives you a voice in policy, funding, and campus life. This shows how extracurricular activities at UCLA can lead to real impact.
4. What are the most popular clubs and organizations at UCLA?
Some of the most popular UCLA clubs and organizations include FAST (Fashion and Student Trends), DevX, Undergraduate Business Society (UBS), Bruin Political Union, and UCLA Radio. These groups are known for their campus presence, consistent student engagement, and meaningful contributions to student life.
5. What volunteer opportunities are available at UCLA?
UCLA offers a wide range of volunteer-based extracurricular activities. From large campus events like Volunteer Day to student organizations like Swipe Out Hunger and tutoring programs, you’ll find plenty of ways to get involved. Many focus on local impact—addressing food insecurity, education, and community needs while helping you stay connected to causes you care about.
Takeaways
To make the most of your college experience and extracurricular activities at UCLA, here’s what you should keep in mind before joining:
- With over 1,200 student-run clubs and organizations, UCLA offers countless ways to get involved. The key is knowing what fits your interests and your schedule.
- From standout groups like FAST and DevX to service groups like Swipe Out Hunger, the most impactful UCLA clubs and organizations are those that align with your goals and help you connect with others.
- Extracurricular activities at UCLA shape student life, giving you space to grow beyond the classroom—regardless if it’s for fun, personal growth, or career exploration.
- If you’re not sure where to start, UCLA’s clubs list, campus resources, and the Enormous Activities Fair are great ways to explore your options and take that first step.
- Hoping to get into UCLA and make the most of its vibrant campus life? Consider working with a college admissions expert—so your application tells a story that stands out.
