King's College London

Commemorating its legacy as the oldest students’ union in the UK, KCLSU is this week marking its 150^th anniversary.

Founded in December 1873 when students at King’s were given their own common room to foster a sense of student community, the organisation was first known as the Union Society of King’s College London.

As it became more popular with King’s students, and as membership expanded, the organisation was later rebranded in 1908 as KCLSU.

The KCLSU’s 150^th birthday symbols a significant milestone for the Union, which has paved the way in how many other students’ unions engage with their members.

KCLSU Chief Executive, Denis Shukur said: “The KCLSU 150-year legacy has come a long way since its inception of just one common room at King’s. Each year we deliver more than 300 student events and activities, provide quality food and beverage venues, activity spaces, student campaigns, and wellbeing and advice services to thousands of students across all four campuses."

As well as offering academic advice and wellbeing support, KCLSU connects its members to a wide range of student-led groups, ranging from budding media enterprises, political and historical interest societies to sports and music clubs.

Supporting some 50,000 King’s students, the Union has more than 400 student groups including societies, over 70 sports clubs and a student media enterprise, which includes award-winning student publication of the year, Roar Media.

KCLSU facilities include student wellbeing support and confidential advice spaces, a photography and filming studio, radio and podcast studio, meeting rooms, event spaces for student-led yoga and dance classes in addition to social spaces across King’s Strand, Guy’s, Denmark Hill and Waterloo sites. KCLSU venues have even seen the likes of Taylor Swift and Foo Fighters perform in the early days of their careers!

The Union leads flagship events throughout the year including a Welcome Fair as part of Welcome Week and Varsity, a historic sports competition held between King’s and University College London, amongst other student engagement events across the academic year.

A special 150^th birthday party was held this week to mark the anniversary for KCLSU, featuring musical performances from student groups and a historic exhibition documenting the evolution of KCLSU, as well as a visit from King’s 100-year-old centurion mascot Reggie.

Find out more about KCLSU’s history here.