Overview
At U of T there are over 1000 clubs (!) of all types running from bee keeping to vegetable eating. The clubs are funded by the University of Toronto Student Union (UTSU) and open to students of all kinds. Joining a club can be a great way to destress and do some fun activities while meeting new people and developing new skills. We recommend you check out and explore around until you find the perfect ones for you. There’s definitely a club for everyone at U of T and if you can’t find one you start your own clubs through the easy process with the UTSU by following these instructions.
Below we’ve compiled a list of some clubs sorted by category that you might want to check out, but this is in no way a comprehensive list! If you’re looking for all the clubs affiliated with the Skule community you can check out the Engineering Society’s site and for a full list of all 1000 clubs at U of T you can scroll through the very long list on the Student Organization Portal.
Music
Photo by Marius Masalar on Unsplash
There are many musical groups that you can join as a U of T student, and the Faculty of Applied Science & Engineering has a few distinct options for engineering students. Whether you are interested in singing, classical music or songs that involve choreographed dancing, there is a group for you!
Skule Nite
Skule Nite is a student-run musical theater production with shows at the end of March. Watching this wonderful musical and sketch comedy is a great way to de-stress before exams. If you want to go a level further than watching Skule Nite, you can also easily get involved. There are many different positions within Skule Nite:
- Cast: Skule Nite features acting, singing, and dancing. By joining the cast, you should expect to be singing, dancing, and acting on stage all at the same time. If you are interested in music, this is a great way to showcase your singing and learn some cool dance moves. Auditions are held in the fall.
If you feel less comfortable on a stage, there are other positions you can hold:
- Band: If you play a musical instrument, you should consider joining the stage band. They play all the accompaniments to the acts and really help to bring the entire show together.
- Creative team: If you are passionate about one of singing, dancing, and acting you can also work towards holding a position on the creative team. Skule Nite always needs choreographers, vocal coaches, and producers, among others.
- Sets, costumes, props: You can also join any of these teams if you want a lower-key commitment. It’s still a great way to get involved in Skule Nite!
Lady Godiva Memorial Bnad
Long supporting Skule™’s tradition of spelling related tomfoolery, the Lady Godiva Memorial Bnad is a “musical” organization that brings the hype to many Skule™ events! The best part about the Bnad is that you don’t need to know how to play an instrument to join. Although there are trumpets, trombones, saxophones, flutes, and other instruments in the band, there are also many cowbells, maracas, fire bells, washboards, bed pans, and wet floor signs with which you can make some noise! Anyone is welcome to join the Bnad, talent not required. In the Bnad’s own words, fun comes 1rd, music comes 2st.
Acapella Groups
For those interested in singing, there are also acapella groups across campus. Chestnut Residence has an in-residence acapella group called “Chestnotes.” There are several other groups throughout U of T — they are a fun way to meet other students and enjoy making music together!
Other Musical Theatre Groups
Remember that as an EngSci you are free to join other musical ensembles across the U of T campus. Many colleges on the St. George campus hold yearly musicals. Auditions happen throughout the first semester.
Honourable Mention: Music Minor
If your interest in music is more academic in nature, the Faculty of Applied Science & Engineering offers a music minor. This is particularly valuable if you are interested in learning more about musical techniques and theory. More formally referred to as the Engineering Music Performance Minor, the program combines knowledge of music technology and music performance skills. If you are interested in music technology or have an instrument you are keen to continue playing, check out the requirements on the Faculty website.
These are also just some highlights we thought you might find interesting to learn more you can check out the groups affiliated with Skule music.
Athletics
At U of T athletics and sports are broken down into three levels.
The most competitive and also most time consuming is the varsity level which you’ll either be recruited for out of high school or can try out for by finding information on the Varsity Blues website. If you have the competitive drive to perform at a higher level than intramural, varsity sports might be for you. Granted, a varsity sport will take a lot of time on top of your already busy EngSci schedule. However, if it’s something that deeply interests you, at least give it a shot; more than a few EngScis have played varsity sports before! To play a varsity sport at U of T, all you have to do is attend an open tryout and make the team. Our varsity teams represent U of T when we compete against other universities across Canada and beyond.
If you’re still looking for a competitive nature but are not quite ready for a varsity team or are looking for a little less competitiveness, then you can check out our tri-campus league. Through our tri-campus league students from the St. George campus compete against students from the Scarborough and Mississauga campuses in fully officiated matches.
Finally, if you’re looking for a bit more of a casual experience where you can have some fun and stay in shape without the time commitment or level of competition then there are many intramural teams you can join. The Engineering Athletics Association (EAA) creates and runs all intramural teams for engineering students. They have a huge range of teams you can join, and you can filter based on your comfort for single-gender or co-ed sports. Overall, they have 23 teams playing 10 different sports. These teams offer a fun way to meet other engineering students and compete against other faculties and colleges at U of T.
But, of course sports aren’t the only way to stay active while you’re at U of T! Make sure to also check out our Athletic Facilities page to learn about the gyms and other athletic facilities open to you as a U of T student. You also can get involved in a variety of other active clubs and groups including University of Toronto Outing Club, Skule Dance Club, and depending on your stance on esports being real sports; Skule™ Smash Club.
Professional Development
Engineers Without Borders (EWB)
With numerous portfolios and initiatives, EWB provides learning opportunities and projects to students and the community. They focus on providing leadership opportunites and fostering a community that makes an impact on social and systemic change. Some of their portfolios include Youth Engagement, Sustanability & Environmental Justice, Cyber Ethics & Digital Rights, and much more. If you are interested in any of the above topics, be sure to check out the club here and attend recruitment events, such as club fairs!
University of Toronto Consulting Association (UTCA)
Looking to get your foot in consulting? UTCA provides numerous workshops and opportunities for students to connect with industry professionals to learn more about a career in consulting. The club has members from various academic fields including Engineering, Computer Science, Commerce, Humanities, and Life Sciences. They also support students with hands-on education and networking experiences! You can also apply to join their consulting projects that work with clients within the community to further develop your professional skills. Learn more about UTCA here.
Skule Financial Literacy Club (SFLC)
Interested in learning more about how you can manage your own personal finances? This is an important skill to develop in your early career. The Skule Financial Literacy Club hosts workshops and events for you to learn more about managing income, consumer financial services, and learning to organize the finances of our day to day lives. Their goal is to bridge the gap between the financial world and the average student. Check out more of what SFLC does here.
Design Teams
You can also strengthen and learn new skills in design teams. You can find a list of design teams that relate to each EngSci major here.
Conclusion
Music and athletics are just two of the many different areas you can find U of T clubs for. There’s many categories and types we didn’t include here so don’t worry, whether your looking to make your first million through the University of Toronto Engineering Finance Association, travel to Quebec for some quality skiing with Skule Ski Club, or just eat some lettuce through the Skule™ Lettuce Club, there is definitely a club for you.