A Guide to Associations at WUR
By Devi Muralee Krishna
Starting at Wageningen University & Research (WUR) can feel overwhelming. Joining student groups is one of the best ways to make your experience unforgettable. This WUR student associations guide will show you study associations, student associations, international communities, and sports clubs so you can find the ones that match your interests and goals.
Lets break it down
Below, you will find a comprehensive list of the Active Associations at WUR, organized into study associations, student associations including the Student Council, and international and cultural associations. This list highlights the variety of opportunities available to students for academic growth, social engagement, leadership, and cultural connection.
Study Associations
Study associations at WUR are linked to specific academic programs. They provide resources, networking opportunities, workshops, and excursions to help students gain professional experience in their field. For example, if you’re studying Environmental Sciences, Aktief Slip is the go-to association. Students in Health and Society can join Apollo, while MSc Geo-Information Science students have Artemis. Biologica is perfect for Biology students, CODON for Biotechnology, and Di-Et-Tri for Nutrition and Health. Students in Landscape Architecture or Spatial Planning can participate in Genius Loci, while Heeren XVII serves Agrotechnology students.
Other associations include Ipso Facto, which brings together students from International Development, Development and Rural Innovation, and Communication and Life Sciences. Licere focuses on Leisure, Tourism, and Environment, Mercurius on Management, Economics, and Consumer Studies, and M.S.V. Alchimica on Molecular Life Sciences. Nicolas Appert is the hub for Food Technology students, Nitocra for International Land and Water Management, Pangea for Tourism, Pyrus for Soil, Water, and Atmosphere, Semper Florens for Plant Sciences, De Veetelers for Animal Sciences, and WSBV Sylvatica for Forest and Nature Conservation.
By joining a study association, you can attend excursions, develop professional skills, and meet peers and professors outside the classroom.
Student Associations
Student associations are a fantastic way to engage socially, explore personal interests, and get involved in advocacy or leadership. Some of the active groups at WUR include Shout Wageningen, which organizes student-led initiatives and events, and Wageningen Student Plaza, a platform for the general student community.
Students interested in human rights can join the Wageningen Student Group Amnesty International or its Facebook community. UNICEF Student Team Wageningen (USTW) focuses on advocacy and projects for children’s rights, while Enactus Wageningen works on social entrepreneurship and impact projects. Social and cultural engagement can be found in SSR-W, and general student activities are organized through Unitas.
The Student Council is the main platform for students who want a voice in university governance. All parties, including Student Council, CSF, S&I, and VeSte, are elected through a voting system. Students vote for representatives who advocate for their interests, contribute to university decisions, and help shape campus life. These parties ensure that students actively participate and express their voices in decision making at WUR.
International and Cultural Associations
WUR is home to students from all over the world, and international associations help you connect, celebrate culture, and build networks. For general international support, there’s International Student Organisation Wageningen (ISOW) and ESN, while IAAS focuses on agricultural sciences globally.
Cultural associations include Chinese Association of Students and Scholars Wageningen (CASSW), Indonesian Association (PPI), Latin American Community (OLAH), Hindoe Student Forum Nederland (HFSN), Wageningen Muslim Student Association Avicenna, and the Indian Student Association (ISA). African communities are represented through UCAS, Rwandan Community Wageningen, Ethiopian Community Wageningen, and Bangladeshi Students Alumni Association Netherlands (BSAAN).
Other communities include Mexican, Bulgarian, Zimbabwean, Korean, Ecuadorian, Brazilian, Thai, Nepalese, Hungarian, Portuguese, German (Go-Fast), Chilean (AIECh), Italian, Colombian (WASCA), Vietnamese (WVS), and Czechoslovakian groups. Additionally, Wageningen Campus Christian Fellowship (WCCF) and Navigators Internationals Wageningen (NIW) support faith-based and international student engagement.
These associations host social events, cultural celebrations, and networking opportunities. They help students feel at home and connected while studying abroad.
Student Sports Associations
WUR offers a wide variety of sports associations, giving students the chance to stay active, meet new people, and enjoy a fun, healthy lifestyle alongside their studies. Whether you’re a competitive athlete or just looking for a way to stay fit, there’s something for everyone.
Some of the most popular student sports associations include W.S.D.A. The Seadragons for diving enthusiasts, W.S.A.C. IBEX for climbing, and W.A.V. Tartlétos for athletics. If team sports are your thing, you can join BC De Lobbers for badminton, SBC Sphinx for basketball, WaHo for volleyball, or WSW Pila Ictus for water polo. Other unique options include WSR Argo for rowing, Wageningen Werewolves for Quidditch, and W.S.K.V. Débaldérin for korfball.
For students interested in individual training and fitness, associations and courses like Body Sculpt, Bootcamp, TRX, Yoga, Pilates, Zumba/Salsation, and X-Fit offer structured workouts to build strength, endurance, and flexibility. Many of these activities are available to both students and employees, allowing you to mix socializing with health-focused training.
Sports associations not only promote physical well-being but also help you develop teamwork, discipline, and perseverance. Joining a sports group is a fantastic way to make new friends, take a break from your studies, and enjoy some healthy competition in a friendly and supportive environment. Take a detailed look at our whole sports associations here
My experience
In my first year, I dived headfirst into the student community. I joined the board of ENactus, a great choice if you’re interested in social entrepreneurship and making a real-world impact. Being part of this group allowed me to not only meet driven people but also develop my skills in a professional setting.
I also became a member of ESN (Erasmus Student Network). ESN helps international students connect through social, cultural, and sports activities. It was a great way to meet new people and explore Wageningen. For my Food Technology studies, I joined my program’s study association, Nicholas Appert. This helped me connect with peers and professors outside of class. Study associations like this provide excursions and networking opportunities within your field. In my second year, I wanted to focus more on a specific cause I cared about, so I joined the board of the UNICEF student team. This was a different kind of experience, less about social events and more about activism and making a difference.
Making Your Choice
Choosing associations at WUR may feel overwhelming, but it is also an exciting opportunity. Think about what matters most to you. Do you want to grow academically, expand your social circle, take part in meaningful causes, or connect with students from around the world?
If your goal is academic support and networking, study associations are ideal. They offer field-specific workshops, excursions, guest lectures, and opportunities to connect with professors and professionals. Student associations provide a great platform for social engagement and activism. They let you organize events, join advocacy projects, and participate in social initiatives. These groups help you develop leadership skills, collaborate with peers, and make an impact on your community
If you’re drawn to cultural connection and international networking, international and cultural associations offer a welcoming environment to meet students from diverse backgrounds. From cultural celebrations to social gatherings, these associations help you embrace new perspectives, form global friendships, and feel at home even if you’re far from your own country.
If staying active and healthy is a priority, student sports associations are the way to go. Whether you’re interested in team sports like basketball, volleyball, or water polo, individual training like yoga, Pilates, and TRX, or unique sports like Quidditch, rowing, and diving, WUR’s sports associations provide fun, structured opportunities to stay fit. Sports groups also help you develop teamwork, discipline, and perseverance while making new friends and taking a break from academics.
Ultimately, the associations you choose will shape not only your social life but also your personal and professional growth. By exploring different options, stepping out of your comfort zone, and actively participating, you’ll make your time at WUR truly memorable, rewarding, and full of diverse experiences.
Wishing you the best in finding the ones that will make your student experience unforgettable!
Devi!
