Debating

ABOUT US

We offer the chance to improve your Debating skills, whether that be in great conversations or intensive training. Our society promises you that there is something in it for all debaters - new and experienced, experimenting, or seasoned. Whatever experience you do have, we’re guaranteed to build on it.

We run two sessions a week, with Open Debates on Mondays and Varsity Training on Thursdays.

Our Open Debates are open to everybody, members and non-members alike, and are a chance to discuss motions set by our Speaker of the House. It’s the perfect chance for people to experience debating in a relaxed environment.

Varsity is open to all abilities and backgrounds, and is about learning and furthering communication skills, while growing and having fun as a team. You may also have the opportunity to partake in competitions against other universities, the perfect chance to apply what you learn in training! You can find details of each debate on our Instagram (@rhul_debatingsoc) where you can also access our group chats for more information.

MEMBERSHIP

We have 2 kinds of membership, standard, and varsity. This goes to hosting events, means of travel and other fees needed for external and internal competitions, general funding, and socials throughout the year.

Standard (£5) - This is our first level of membership, and you will be invited to all social events and attend Open Debates.
Varsity (£20) - Varsity is for all those interested in learning competitive British Parliamentary Debate, and for the chance to meet and compete alongside other university debaters in and out of the country. This is advised for all those who regularly go to Varsity Training.
Competition Top-up (£20) - This membership is only necessary for those that attend competitions, and it helps us when travelling and entering competitions. This is a termly installation, that only needs to be paid once per term, that you only pay when you go to a competition.

EVENTS AND ACTIVITIES

Mondays: Windsor 1-05, 6-8pm
Open Debates followed by a drink at Crosslands
Thursdays: Windsor 1-05, 6-8pm
Varsity training followed by a trip to the pub.
There are also a few alumni events throughout the academic year, with an added pub crawls and coffee house social too!