Welcome Month 2020

Congratulations! Coming to university and celebrating your amazing achievements isn’t limited to a single Freshers’ week anymore - oh no. We’ve planned an entire month of fun, free and exciting events and opportunities for you to jump into across October (and even some of November). So, whether you’re a champion quizzer, a savvy sporto or a budding chef, there’s something for everyone.

Welcome Month kicks off with (Virtual) Freshers’ Fayre. But it’s not just a one day Fayre, it’s a week dedicated to Freshers’ Fayre starting on Monday 5th October. That’s right, an entire week just for Freshers’ Fayre, albeit online. Then every week after has it’s own theme ending with Wellbeing and Me week on Monday 9th November. Discover each new step with every week guiding you through a new aspect of your university life.

That means we have something new for you! Every. Single. Week.

Are you moving onto campus in September and are worried you’ll be bored until October? Well there’s no fear of missing out here. There’s events running from Saturday 12th September to keep you entertained and welcome you to the city in style. Not in Portsmouth? Not to worry, you can join in virtually courtesy of Res Life. 

So, what’s happening?

Moving In Week #1

Sunday 12th September - Sunday 20th September

It’s time to find your feet in the city. Join Res Life as they host a whole range of activities for you to get involved with both physically and virtually. From quizzes to tours and even some tournaments it’s a time to get to know your flatmates, meet new friends, try new things and even discover more about Portsmouth.

• Scavenger Hunts
• Quizzes
• Pizza Nights
• Film Nights
• Local Tours
• Postgraduate meet ups
• Beach clean ups

And more!

Moving In Week #2

Monday 21st September - Sunday 27th September

It’s time to find your feet in the city. Join Res Life as they host a whole range of activities for you to get involved with both physically and virtually. From cooking demonstrations, to yoga classes and film nights it’s time to get to know your flatmates, meet new friends, try new things and even discover more about Portsmouth.

• Art Nights
• Quizzes
• Postgraduate meet ups
• Local Tours
• Cooking Demonstrations
• Yoga Tasters
• Film Nights
• Language Discovery

And more!

International Week

Monday 28th September - Sunday 4th October

Welcome to the great waterfront city! Whether you’re here physically or virtually, get to know Portsmouth as UoP Global hosts a range of events to help you find your feet in the city. Get to know some amazing new people, learn more about the local culture and be part of some amazing new experiences.

• Shopping Tour
• Portsmouth Tour
• British culture workshop
• Book club
• City Day trips
• Movie Nights
• Game nights
• Afternoon Tea
• Scavenger Hunts
• Bus Tours

And more!

Freshers' Fayre Week

Monday 5th October - Sunday 11th October

Did someone say Freshers’ Fayre? That’s right, it’s back! We’re hosting a virtual Freshers’ Fayre this year on our website. Come and learn about the wide range of support available to you across the University and wider community, chat live to sports clubs and student-led groups to discover a new hobby or finely tune an existing one and see what's on offer for you with our commercial partners. We can’t wait to chat with you online!

If you would still like to talk to student groups face to face, then we are doing Meet & Greets across campus. Make sure to check out where they will be on our Virtual Freshers' Fayre event page on Facebook.

• Student Groups Meet & Greet
• Freshers’ Week (link to ‘building your Freshers’ experience)
• Virtual Freshers’ Fayre
• Postgraduate social
• Portsmouth tour
• Fratton Park trip
• Cooking demonstration

And much more!

Creating Your Community Week

Monday 12th October - Sunday 18th October

Make connections, discover a new passion and delve into the rich culture of Portsmouth as we host a range of events to help the city become your new home. It’s time to create your community as you delve into all the brand new opportunities available to you. Make Portsmouth a home and begin your unique journey in your university adventure.

• Quizzes
• Purple Wednesday
• Postgraduate social
• Aquarium trip
• Virtual Dance Class
• Portsmouth tours

Plus more!

My Student Life Week

Monday 19th October - Sunday 25th October

Welcome to the world of being a student. My Student Life week is here to give you the tips and tricks to student life including learning to manage money on a student budget, mastering juggling your responsibilities (whilst still looking after yourself) and really understanding the life of a student here at the University of Portsmouth.

• Money saving coupon class
• Quizzes
• Cooking demonstrations
• Money management workshop
• Postgraduate social
• Historical tour
• Harbour trip
• Virtual Bingo
• Cooking on a budget workshop
• Purple Wednesday

Learning Experience Week

Monday 26th October - Sunday 1st November

Break down any barriers to your academic success with our Learning Experience week. If you ever need it, help is just a step away. With a whole range of support services like the Union Advice Service, the Academic Skills Unit, LinkedIn Learning and more, the path to your degree has never been simpler. Plus, join us for a whole range of exciting experiences across the city to discover a bunch of hidden gems alongside your studies.

• Student parent mixer
• Postgraduate social
• Quizzes
• Purple Wednesday
• Arty Potz Trip
• Religious Tour
• Aquarium Trip
• Online safety workshop

Plus more!

Discover your opportunities Week

Monday 2nd November - Sunday 8th November

Discover the Union and beyond in opportunities week. Meet us, plus amazing support services around the University including the Careers and Employability Service. It’s time to stand out from the crowd as you enrich your degree beyond the lecture theatre and dive into opportunities tailored to you with the Union, volunteering, groups, trips, events and much, much more.

• Quizzes
• Graduate Recruitment and Placement Fair
• Portsmouth Tours
• Meet Careers and Employability
• The benefits of volunteering
• Mary Rose trip
• Purple Wednesday
• LinkedIn Learning

And much more!

Wellbeing and Me Week

Monday 9th November - Sunday 15th November

We want university to be the most exciting time of your life, but we also know things can get difficult. Taking the first steps of a new adventure can be worrying, but we’re here to help you through the ups and downs. Join us for Wellbeing and Me week to learn more about your wellbeing. From body to mind and even your social circle, take a step back and take time for yourself.

• Yoga Class
• Historical Tour
• Quizzes
• NHS workshops
• Purple Wednesday
• Postgraduate social
• Cooking demonstrations
• D-Day story trip

Plus more!

We’re keeping your safety as the priority in everything we do. As a result, these events could be subject to change depending on government guidance and social distancing restrictions. Follow us on social media to stay up to date with all things Welcome Month.