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
On Thursday, 19 September, we’re hosting our Spend Smart Fair in the Welcome Marquee between 10am and 4pm. Come along to discover ways to save on bills, affordable travel, how to manage student budgets and chances to take home giveaways throughout the day.
Dr Bike will be at the event offering free bike fixing demos and advice, and you can also learn more about Hazaar – the new preloved platform developed by our students for our students. And if you’re after some free textbooks (who isn’t?), the Library will be holding their Textbook Rescue in the Marquee.
The Students’ Union also have a range of free or very low-cost events throughout Welcome, including their Freshers Fairs, and you can see their full event listings on the Students’ Union website.
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 and there are different time slots depending on your Faculty, so make sure to sign up on the Students’ Union website.
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 3 Societies Fairs during Welcome week, and each one gives you a unique chance to meet the clubs and societies on offer at the Students’ Union:
- Wednesday, 18 September: Recreation, Sport, Volunteering and Fundraising groups
- Thursday, 19 September: Culture, Faith, Arts and Media groups
- Friday, 20 September: Academic, Medical, Campaigning and Political groups
If you’re looking for fun ways to meet new people, make sure to check out the Students’ Union’s Bingo Lingo, Oktoberfest or IKEA Student Takeover events.
And if you’re looking for something a bit more chilled out, make sure to take a look through our full list of Welcome events – there’s so much on offer, and it’s all designed to help you find your community here at Manchester, so just remember that everyone’s in the same boat and it’s okay to feel nervous. If you’re not sure where to start, check out this advice from current Manchester students on their Welcome week memories.
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, 16 September to Friday, 20 September, 10am-3pm).
Join Manchester’s President and Vice-Chancellor Professor Duncan Ivison, senior staff and student sabbatical officers for your chance to hear our new Vice-Chancellor speak about his vision for the University. There’ll also be afternoon tea, as well as a chance for you to ask any questions you have about the University.
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, 16 September, 10am-4pm and Tuesday, 17 September, 10am-4pm), WellFest (Wednesday, 18 September, 10am-4pm) and the Spend Smart Fair (Thursday, 19 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.
Our Careers Service are also offering workshops for you to find out more about their support, as well as information about getting a part-time job as a student.
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, 19 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).
You can also meet rugby legend Gareth Thomas at the Tackle HIV Campaign Myth Tour Bus outside Manchester Academy 1 on Friday, 20 September, 10am-4pm.
I’m new to the UK and want to learn more
Before you arrive in the UK, you can attend our ‘What’s it really like to be an international student’ events, which are completely free and run online on Wednesday, 4 and Thursday 5 September.
Join us on Sunday, 15 September for the International Society Welcome event. Taking place in the Activity Zone on Alan Gilbert Square, you’ll get to meet new friends and find out about everything the International Society has to offer during your studies.
The International Society also host incredible day trips, including trips to Cambridge, Windermere and Chatsworth — see all events and find out more here.
You can also attend the free Speed-friending event in the Students’ Union, as well as finding out about getting a job as an international student with the Careers Service.
If you’re new to Manchester, find out more about getting around the city with the Manchester City Tour, hosted by Student Angels and the International Society.
If your parents are travelling with you to Manchester, we’ve put on a special event where they can learn more about the University and ask any questions they have to a panel of University staff and students. You can sign up to the event on your parents behalf, or send them this form to complete.
I want events I can attend with my children
New and returning students who are parents or carers of children aged 12 and under are invited to come and meet other student parents and carers. Kids are welcome too and there’ll be registered practitioners from the Whitworth Art Gallery running activities, so you can enjoy an opportunity to get to know other students.
Please note, we’ll need to know the number and ages of the children you plan to bring to this event in advance so we can confirm with the gallery. The deadline for completing the sign-up form is Wednesday, 11 September.
The Library are also hosting a ‘Get started with the Library for student parents’ event, which will take place online and gives you the opportunity to meet the Library Customer Services staff and student team. Book onto the event and learn about ways the Library can support you and your studies.
I want to meet other commuting students
If you’ll be commuting to University from home, rather than living on campus or with other students, make sure to sign up for our Commuter student Welcome event on Thursday, 12 September, 11am-2:30pm. The event is designed for you to meet fellow commuter students, get familiar with campus, and to introduce you to some of the support available while you study.
At the event, you’ll meet up with other commuter students for a short welcome talk, followed by ice-breaker activities and an introduction from some of the groups who’ll support you on campus. There’ll also be an optional tour of campus and refreshments available.
You’re also invited to come along and help the Friends’ community group maintain some of the green spaces in Whitworth Park on Friday, 13 September, 11am-1pm. You’ll meet at the entrance of Whitworth Art Gallery and can have a go at weeding, chopping back and pruning some of the plants, so dress suitably and bring water – gardening is thirsty work! To sign up, email volunteers@manchester.ac.uk.
There’s so much to do during Welcome week, so make sure to look through all of the events on our website, and everything the Students Union has to offer.