Aim. To identify differences in the structure of representations about volunteering among university students with and without experience in volunteering.Methodology. 173 participants formulated associations to the word “volunteer”. Data processing: frequency analysis, z-test.Results. There are no statistically significant differences between the groups in the frequency of semantic groups of associations regarding volunteering. Thus, the ideas of students who do not have experience in volunteering adequately reflect the content and meaning of this activity. The only difference concerns the ranking of the semantic group of associations associated with active involvement. For students with no experience of volunteering, this group occupies the fourth position out of five possible, and for student volunteers - the second position.Research implications. The results of this study can be used in the preparation of participants in the volunteer movement at universities.