Some college clubs enhance your university experience. Others change the trajectory of your entire career.
From world‑famous debating chambers to startup teams that raise millions, the best college clubs in the world offer students something classrooms can’t. We’re talking access, influence, and real‑world experience.
If you’re heading abroad for higher studies and wondering which clubs are actually worth your time, here’s a list built on impact, not hype.
“The university experience extends beyond academic knowledge and a degree certificate.” – Billy Wong
10 best college clubs in the world
To make this list of 10 college clubs and organizations, I’ve focused on four things:
- Global reputation
- Measurable student impact
- Strong alumni or industry connections
- Track record of helping students build real skills
For Indian students going abroad, this kind of filtering matters. Your clubs shape your outcomes, just like your course and funding choices do.
GradRight’s free tools can help you shortlist universities and financing options early. This way, you can land on campus ready to make the most of opportunities like these.
“You can’t connect the dots looking forward; you can only connect them looking backwards.” – Steve Jobs
1. The Oxford Union
University: University of Oxford
Location/Country: Oxford, United Kingdom
The Oxford Union was founded in 1823. It was originally called “The United Debating Society,” but was renamed to “Oxford Union Society” in 1825.
For two centuries, this historic club has staged era-defining debates. The most famous was the 1933 “King and Country” debate. Here, students passed the motion refusing to fight for “King and Country.” The debate drew global attention. It also cemented the Union’s reputation as a place where student voices can influence national discussions. Over the years, the club has hosted many notable alumni. Famous names include William Gladstone, Oscar Wilde, Lewis Carroll, and Boris Johnson.
Weekly debates, guest speaker evenings, and student-run elections form the core of its traditions. Members also wear subfusc academic dress during certain formal events. Membership itself isn’t selective, and any eligible Oxford student can join. But holding office is competitive and taken seriously.
What makes the Union one of the best college clubs in the world is its consistent ability to expose students to high-level debate and public reasoning. It also teaches them to defend ideas in front of a real audience.
2. The Cambridge Union Society
University: University of Cambridge
Location/Country: Cambridge, United Kingdom
Founded in 1815, the Cambridge Union is the world’s oldest continuously running debating society. It has the rare quality of feeling both historic and live-wire. There have been several memorable moments in the club’s history. But the most important one was the 1965 televised debate between James Baldwin and William F. Buckley Jr. The topic was race and whether the American Dream had been achieved at the expense of African Americans. It’s now considered one of the most important public debates of the 20th century.
The Union’s membership and leadership have included figures such as J. Robert Oppenheimer, Stephen Fry, and Sir David Attenborough. The club hosts regular speaker events, formal debates, and active student elections. A standout modern feature is the Stephen Hawking Fellowship. It’s awarded to individuals who advance public understanding of science.
Membership is open to Cambridge students through a simple paid subscription. But officer roles are highly competitive.
3. MIT Sloan Entrepreneurship Club / MIT E-Club
University: Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT)
Location/Country: Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA
The E‑Club has been active since 1988 and plays a central role in MIT’s startup ecosystem. Early members helped lay the groundwork for what became the MIT $100K Entrepreneurship Competition. It began as a $10K reward in 1989–90 and has since helped launch hundreds of student-led companies.
Meetings are held every Tuesday. They bring together students who work on ideas across engineering, business, and design. The club also supports venture-building through its Nuts & Bolts seminars and mentorship circles. Its connections to founders and investors in the Boston–Cambridge tech community also help.
Membership is open rather than selective. The expectation is that students participate, share progress, and build consistently. What places it among the best college clubs in the world is its track record of helping students turn early ideas into real ventures with measurable impact.
4. Harvard National Model United Nations (HNMUN)
University: Harvard University
Location/Country: Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA
HNMUN traces its roots back to 1955. Over the decades, it has grown into the largest and most prestigious collegiate Model UN conference globally. Each year, more than 2,000 to 3,000 delegates from universities across 70+ countries come together in Boston to simulate United Nations sessions. The conference is entirely organised by Harvard undergraduates. From drafting study guides to running committees, crisis simulations, and global‑issue debates, everything is handled by them.
The scale and complexity of the simulation give participants a chance to practise realistic diplomacy, negotiation, and global policy‑making skills. Applications are open to current university students only. Registration is via an online process (MUNager). After this, accepted delegations pay delegate fees. Because of its size, rigor, and global representation, HNMUN is considered one of the top Ivy League clubs.
Very few student‑run events bring together such a broad and diverse set of people to debate real international issues at this scale.
5. START Global / START Summit Team
University: University of St. Gallen (HSG)
Location/Country: St. Gallen, Switzerland
START Global began at St. Gallen in 1997 and quickly became a driving force for student entrepreneurship in Europe. The group’s flagship project, the START Summit, has grown into Europe’s largest student-run startup conference. It attracts over 7,000 attendees each year, from investors and founders to leading tech companies. What’s unique about START is that it’s completely student-led. Members take full responsibility for designing the conference, building industry partnerships, and running high-impact events.
The team works across areas like marketing, speaker curation, logistics, and sponsorships. Alumni have gone on to launch startups and join some of the top names in European tech. Recruitment is open to St. Gallen students each year. Roles are available for those ready to commit to the pace and responsibility. If you’re looking for university clubs worth joining for a global network, START is hard to beat.
6. Bocconi Students Investment Club
University: Bocconi University
Location/Country: Milan, Italy
Founded in 2010 by finance students, the Bocconi Students Investment Club was officially recognized in 2011. The club hosts weekly meetings focused on market analysis, trading competitions, and networking sessions, often led by professionals from the finance industry.
The membership process is rigorous. Students need a strong interest in finance along with a demonstrated commitment. They must also pass a multi-stage recruitment process. It includes CV screening, assessments, and interviews.
The club’s alumni go on to work at top investment banks and financial institutions across Europe. For those aiming for a career in investment or financial strategy, it’s one of the best college clubs in the world.
7. NUS Entrepreneurship Society (NES)
University: National University of Singapore (NUS)
Location/Country: Singapore
NES is one of the most active and influential student entrepreneurship societies in Asia. It was founded in 1992. The club connects students to Singapore’s thriving startup ecosystem with close ties to NUS Enterprise and regular collaboration with local founders, VCs, and industry mentors.
NES members participate in business plan competitions, startup workshops, speaker events, and even overseas entrepreneurial trips. The club’s cross-disciplinary energy brings together students from engineering, business, design, and more. It effectively turns campus ideas into real startups.
Membership is open to all NUS students. And there are opportunities for training and ecosystem access from day one. If you’re looking for one of the best college clubs in the world for entrepreneurship outside the US/UK bubble, NES deserves serious attention.
8. Delft Hyperloop Team
University: TU Delft
Location/Country: Delft, Netherlands
Delft Hyperloop was formed in the mid-2010s specifically to compete in the SpaceX Hyperloop Pod Competitions. The team quickly earned international attention by winning the overall competition in 2017 and finishing second in 2018. The club operates on a “Dream Team” cycle. Each year, a new multidisciplinary group is selected to design, build, and test a Hyperloop pod. They work on strict deadlines and collaborate closely with industry experts.
Entry is competitive. Students apply with a CV and a motivation letter. Selection is based on both engineering skills and teamwork. The Delft Hyperloop Team is a perfect example of what the top engineering/STEM clubs look like at their best. It offers hands-on experience. Students get to build real hardware that is tested on the global stage.
9. AIESEC
University: Chapters worldwide
Location/Country: 120+ countries
AIESEC was founded in 1948 and has grown into the world’s largest student-run organization for cross-cultural leadership development. The network has consultative status with the UN. And it runs in over 120 countries, involving more than 35,000 active members.
Activities include global volunteer exchanges, professional internships, and campus-based leadership roles. Students can join their university’s chapter through a formal recruitment cycle. After that, they access training, team projects, and opportunities for international placement. AIESEC’s international reach and leadership programs make it one of a kind.
10. Enactus
University: Chapters all over the world
Location/Country: Covers over 30 countries
Enactus began in 1975 as Students in Free Enterprise or SIFE and changed its name to Enactus in 2012. This change was made to better reflect the organization’s true focus, which is entrepreneurial action for societal benefit. Today, it is the most renowned global platform for student-driven social entrepreneurship.
Each chapter forms student teams to launch and manage projects aimed at real social impact. They compete locally and nationally with the hope of reaching the Enactus World Cup. Membership is open to students who commit to active project work. Teams are selected to represent their country at world-level events. Alongside practical training, Enactus provides mentorship from business leaders and a global community. The focus is on sustainability and responsible innovation.
What sets Enactus apart is its consistent, measurable framework for social impact entrepreneurship.
“Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world.” – Margaret Mead
Wrapping up
Getting into the best university clubs and societies abroad requires you to show up early, stay consistent, and prove that you will add value.
Start with the first few weeks on campus. Most universities run club fairs or “student activities” expos right at the beginning of the term.
That’s where you’ll meet core members and understand what each club actually does.
This “show intent early” approach applies to your larger study-abroad plan, too. GradRight works with high-potential Indian students to make those decisions clearer, and it’s been recognised for that impact as well.
So, don’t overthink the first step. Attend a couple of sessions, introduce yourself, and see where you click.
