Freshers' Week 2026 was a huge success, and we couldn't be prouder! Designed by students, for students, FW26 created countless opportunities for new students to meet people, try something new, and make the most of their first few weeks at the university.
Across arrivals weekend and Freshers' Week, we delivered:
- 148 events
- 119 free-to-attend events
- 96 alcohol-free events
- 4 big arena nights
- 10 departmental mixers
- 10 dedicated postgraduate events
- 3 fairs: Freshers' Fair, the Sports Fair and The SU Groups Fair
- 100+ student group Give it a Go sessions
Whether it was joining a student group, trying a new sport, meeting course mates, exploring the city or heading to one of our headline events, there were so many opportunities for students to get involved.
Check out our recap video for the best bits!
Freshers' Week would not have been possible without the incredible people working behind the scenes. Our Freshers' Week Event Managers, Tyler and Rachel, students themselves, spent the summer planning the programme and were there throughout the week to help events run smoothly. They were supported by more than 60 Freshers' Week Captains, who volunteered their time to welcome new students, answer questions, and help deliver events across campus.
Backstage Technical Services (Backstage) team transformed the sports hall into a spectacular indoor arena with a capacity of 2,000, providing the venue for a range of sold-out events throughout the week. Many of our student groups brought energy to Freshers' Week by performing, attending fairs, capturing and sharing content, and running Give it a Go sessions, giving first years the chance to try something new, meet people and find their community.
Our SU Officers were out in force, supporting events, presenting to new students and helping showcase the opportunities available through The SU. It was a great opportunity for them to connect with new students and reconnect with our returners.
Finally, our wonderful staff team volunteered on stalls, managed crowds, walked thousands of steps, and worked super long hours to ensure new students received the best possible welcome. Thank you to everyone who played a part. Freshers' Week is a true community effort, and we couldn't have done it without you.