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 the committee. 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 also have the opportunity to partake in competitions against other universities, the perfect chance to apply what you learn in training! You can vote for the motions and find details of each debate on our Instagram (@rhul_debatingsoc)!

 

MEMBERSHIP

We have 2 kinds of membership, standard, and varsity. This goes to hosting events, and 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:McCrea 2-01, 7-9pm
    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 debate competitions throughout the academic year.

 

We aim to have social events such as pub crawls and nights out as well! 

 

CONTACT US

You can get in touch via: 

Instagram 

Email

Leadership Elections 2025

These elections are for the Leadership positions for the 2025/26 academic year. All current Royal Holloway students who are members of the Students' Union can vote in the elections. ***Please ensure you are logged in to be eligible to vote***

10 posts are up for election.

Nominations are now closed.

The polls open at 10:00 on Tuesday 11 March 2025 (in 16 days)

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Join

  • Debating Standard Membership£5.00

Why do I have to pay for my membership?

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Join

  • Debating Standard Membership£5.00

Products

  • Debate Competition Top-Up£20.00
  • Varsity Top-Up - Debate£20.00
  • Debating Society 2025 Sweatshirt£27.99
  • Debating Society 2025 1/4 Zip Fleece£30.99
  • Debating Society 2025 Hoodie£30.99
  • Debating Society 2025 Fleece£35.99
  • Debating Society 2025 Tote bag£14.99
  • Debating Society 2025 Scarf£19.99
  • Debating Society Personalisation 2025£3.00
Media Secretary
Lorine Staes
President
Ella Hearn
Second Varsity Captain
Maddy Sidgwick
Secretary
Jess Hope
Speaker of the House
Matt Gibbons
Treasurer
Tinu Baker
Varsity Captain
Makenzie Shilling
Wellbeing Secretary
Maciej Roszkowski