When you look at all of the events taking place in the first week of University, it can be hard to know where to start so we’ve put together 7 types of Welcome so you can choose the one(s) that work for you.
Select an option below to see what’s on offer:
I want to get to know my University
I’m new to the UK and want to learn more
I want events I can attend with my children
I want to meet other students living off campus
I want to save money
Join us at the Living for Less Fair where you can explore a range of free services, activities and giveaways for students in support of Cost of Living. The fair — which takes places at the Welcome Huts on Thursday, 21 September, 11am-2pm — will also be a showcase of affordable places to go and things to do for fun in Manchester.
There’s money saving sessions throughout Welcome too, including the Library’s Textbook Rescue where you can collect pre-owned textbooks donated by last year’s departing students (Main Library, Thursday, 21 September, 10am-3pm [drop-in during this time]).
Visit Fallowfield Campus, where Hazaar will be selling used items for both your flat and yourself; Stagecoach will be selling student bus passes; and you’ll find second-hand bikes for sale (Uttley House Halls of Residence, Sunday, 17 September, 11am-4pm)
The Students’ Union offer a wide range of free and low-cost events throughout Welcome, including their vintage clothes sales, film nights and free-entry Fairs, which you can find on their Welcome events page.
If you’re looking for office furniture for studying in your house, flat or halls, you can make the most of the Furniture Store, where the team — who are based in the Simon Building — reuse and rehome hundreds of pieces of quality furniture that you could use in your home study space, for free.
You will also be able to collect your free ‘100 things to do in Manchester’ poster from your School’s Student Support Hub during Welcome week, which showcases the city’s best free and low-cost activities for you to explore throughout the year.
I want to make friends
Speedfriending is the ultimate event to connect with students from across the University who are looking to make new friends too. The event is hosted by the Students’ Union and there’ll be pizza and conversation starters provided.
Attending the Students’ Union’s Societies Fairs can be a great activity to suggest to someone you’ve met in your first few days — or is also a great event to attend on your own. There are Fairs on Wednesday, 20 September and Thursday, 21 September, giving you two chances to find out all about the different student groups we have to offer.
Throwing yourself into as many Welcome events as possible is a great way to meet new people and you can find advice from current students on how they made friends at Manchester.
I want to get to know my University
Great choice! Exploring campus and getting familiar with your surroundings is a great way to settle into university life. Join our Student Ambassadors for a guided walking tour of campus, lasting around one hour. Tours will set off on the hour from our AskMe Hub in Brunswick Park, so if you miss one, you can catch another an hour later (Monday, 18 September to Friday, 22 September, 10am-3pm).
Looking for something a little more in-depth? This year, we’re hosting Heritage Walking Tours, exploring the heritage and history of The University of Manchester. You’ve got to book your place for these tours, so let us know if you’re interested in attending on Wednesday, 20 September or Thursday, 21 September.
Find us at the Welcome Huts throughout Welcome week, where we’ll be showcasing the services available to you as a Manchester student with daily pop-ups including the Start of Year Fair (Monday, 18 September, 10am-4pm and Tuesday, 19 September, 10am-4pm), WellFest (Wednesday, 20 September, 10am-4pm) and the Living for Less Fair (Thursday, 21 September, 10am-4pm).
If you want to learn about the ways the Library can support your and your studies, you can book your place on an individual tour or a group tour of Main Library.
I want to get active
UoM Sport has you covered! The main event you don’t want to miss is our Sports Fair, which takes place at the Armitage Centre in Fallowfield. This is an action-packed day of fun, freebies, sports and fitness activities where you can sign up to sports clubs and societies (Thursday, 21 September, 10am-4pm). This is also your chance to sign up for Sports Trials, so don’t miss out if you want to compete (see all events here).
There’ll be drop-in Zumba and yoga sessions taking place outside Alan Gilbert Learning Commons on Wednesday, 20 September (2.30pm–3pm – Zumba, 3.05pm–3.35pm – Zumba, 3.45pm–4.30pm – Yoga).
I’m new to the UK and want to learn more
The International Society are hosting events throughout Welcome week including Warm Welcome morning and afternoon events where you can enjoy a cup of tea or coffee in the Students’ Union (see all events here).
Come along to our Getting to know the British events to find out more about British people and their culture through an international perspective. This is a fun session where you’ll learn something new and make new friends (Uni Place, room 1.218, Tuesday, 19 September, 1:30pm-2:30pm and Thursday, 21 September, 11am-12pm).
The International Society also host incredible day trips, including trips to York, North Wales, Liverpool, the Lake District, Oxford and Whitby — see all events and find out more here.
I want events I can attend with my children
Join us at our Parents and Carers Welcome event at the Whitworth Art Gallery where there’ll be activities for the children so adults can get to know other students and speak to University staff about the support available. This event has been planned with parents in mind and will be a great way to involve your children in your first few weeks of University so make sure to book and let us know that you can make it on Friday, 22 September, 11am-12:30pm.
Our Parent Toddler Information Sessions are informal sessions for all student partners, with or without young children, to find out useful tips, ask questions and make friends with people in similar situations (Nest, Students’ Union, Monday, 11 September and Monday, 18 September, 9:30am-10:30am).
And the Students’ Union are hosting a Commuter Parents Family Film Afternoon on Sunday, 24 September at 1pm in the SU Theatre and Theatre Lounge — grab a ticket for you and the kids here.
Bringing your children along to Manchester Museum is also a great way to introduce them to your University experience and showcase the incredible campus that you’ll be part of.
I want to meet other commuting students
Join us in Whitworth Hall for our Commuter pre-Welcome event for anyone who is not living in accommodation with other students during their studies (Monday, 11 September, 10:30am-midday). Make sure to book your place and let us know where you’ll be commuting from so we can try to connect you with students who travel to campus the same way.
The Students’ Union are hosting a Welcome to the Commuter Lounge event for you to get to know your dedicated commuter space on campus and mingle with fellow students (Wednesday, 20 September, midday).
And if you’re attending Societies Fair, the SU are hosting a Commuter Brunch in Bar532 so don’t miss out on a great chance to meet fellow commuter students (Thursday, 21 September, midday).
We’re running ‘The Big Welcome Prize Draw’ this year! If you attend 5 eligible events, visit your Support Hub and get your card stamped every step of the way, you’ll be entered into our prize draw with loads of exciting stuff up for grabs. Find out more here.