EVENT DESCRIPTIONS WELCOME WEEK 2025
Events are listed in alphabetical order All events are correct at the time of going to print Events may be subject to minor variation and are strictly subject to availability, weather conditions and listed terms and conditions. For the most up to date information about Students’ Union events, please visit www.winchesterstudents.co.uk
Arrivals Weekend Welcome Zone
Members of the Student Support and Success team will be available for you to drop in and speak to over Arrivals Weekend.
Back 2 School feat. Tracey Beaker
Featuring a meet & greet session, dedicated karaoke room and DJs on deck throughout the night
Big Freshers Quiz
Take part in our fun Freshers Quiz. Can you win prizes with your team?
BOP
Winchester's Biggest Student Night, bringing you the ultimate party! With cheesy tunes and pop anthems all night long
Building Foundations
A fun space for Foundation Year students to get together, compare experiences, get to know one another, play some games and ask any questions they have for their Support and Retention adviser (SARA)
Campus Market
Our regular Campus market featuring Fruit and Veg and Yummy Vegan baked Treats and Bread plus Sausage rolls and more
Chapel & Contemplation Space
The Chapel (King Alfred Campus) & Contemplation Space (West Downs Quarter) will be open as a quiet space
Chapel Cafe
Come and enjoy a hot or cold beverage for free
Choral Evensong at Winchester Cathedral
Meet at the Chapel from 5pm to walk down to attend a special service at Winchester Cathedral, followed by a tour of the Cathedral (bookable separately)
Christopher Nolan Movie Marathon
Come and watch The Dark Knight, Inception, Oppenheimer, or all 3 back to back!
Cocktail Workshop
Learn how to make your own cocktails and mocktails.
Community Lunch
Join the Chaplaincy for a simple, free lunch.
Connect Group
Come and connect with other neurodiverse students in a social space hosted by the Mental Wellbeing and Disability teams.
Decorate a Cushion Cover
Join us and decorate a cushion cover to take back to your room- both comfy and creative!
Fillable Letters: Craft and Sweet treats
Make and decorate a letter of the alphabet to use as a tray for you to fill with goodies such as flowers and sweets. Your ticket will include the sweets/flowers, the fillable alphabet shape, crafting supplies, as well as a standard hot or iced drink from our Terrace coffee shop.
Floral Crown Making
Join us and make a festival floral crown. Choose from full on flower power to lightup and glow, we have options to fit all creative energies.
Freshers Fayre
Meet student clubs and societies, explore volunteering opportunities, connect with campus services, and pick up exclusive deals from local and national businesses.
Freshtival
Festival themed night in the Vault featuring live music, themed cocktails and entertainment
Games & Treats
Time to explore campus after enrolment? Enjoy a selection of giant games & free sweet treats on The Terrace
Giant Screen Mario Kart
Play Mario Kart on our giant projector screen in The Vault Just turn up and play!
Horror Movie Marathon
3 of the best and scariest from Blumhouse Productions; Paranormal Activity, Get Out and the recently released Megan 2 0
International Student Welcome Talk
An opportunity to receive further information about living and studying in the UK, as well as the change to ask any questions you might have.
Karaoke
Show off your beautiful voices! Or, just come down to the Terrace Bar for a drink and watch
LGBTQ+ Movie Marathon
3 big screen queer stories picked by our SU team: A Fantastic Woman, Drive Away Dolls & Moonlight
Movie Marathon: Made by women
A selection of 3 films from amazing female performers and amateurs, picked by the SU team: Booksmart, Barbie and Wicked!
Music Open Rehearsal 1 - The King Alfred Singers
Experience the University Choir for modern and traditional choral music
Music Open Rehearsal 2 - Concert Band
Experience the University Concert Band (strings, wind, brass, percussion)
Music Open Rehearsal 3 - Show Choir
Experience the amazing Show Choir with music from stage, screen, rock, pop and gospel.
Music Open Rehearsal 4 - Jazz Band
Experience the University Jazz Band for modern and tradition Jazz and improvising.
Music @ The Terrace Bar
Performances from University Music Groups plus open mic slots See noticeboard on the day for details.
Neon Bracelet Making
Raise your Neon Rave outfit to the next level!
Neon Rave
Grab your florescent tutu and neon tights, it time for a rave under UV lights in the Vault A decor filled clubnight with loads of giveways from VK
Paint and Sip
Craft and drink - Join us and create an artistic masterpiece while sampling our favourite drinks and cocktails.
Parents and Supporters Coffee Creche
Got some time to kill whilst your young adult is getting settled? Come for a hot or cold drink on our Terrace.
Photo Frame Decorating
Ready to kick off Freshers with a fun and crafty twist? Decorate your own photo frame, the perfect way to showcase your best Freshers memories!
Pizza Party
We're kicking freshers' week off at the Vault with our infamous Pizza Party, the perfect icebreaker event to meet those you will be sharing the next year with
Pottery Painting
Decorate a mug, bowl or tupper wear: all materials will be included, plus a standard hot or iced drink from our Terrace Coffee shop
Prosecco and Bottle Painting
Paint your own prosecco bottle and then keep it to drink later!
Shocking Secrets of Winchester
An 'alternative' walking tour of winchester exposing history and horrible facts alike!
Silent Disco
As seen at Boardmasters and Glastonbury, we ’ re bringing a festival favourite straight to Freshers and trust us, this is not your average night out!
Songwriters Circle Open Mic
Bring your own songs to share.
Speed Mates
Make friends in minutes in our giant social interaction opportunity
Studio Ghibli Movie Marathon
Studio Ghibli classics Spirted Away and Princess Mononoke, followed by the latest film The Boy & The Heron
Sunset walk: St Catherine's Hill
Take a stroll to one of the most beautiful views in all of Winchester. Please meet in the Terrace Bar no later than 5 55pm for the start of this walking tour
Sunset walks: The Water Meadows
A stroll along the beautiful River Itchen and the Water Meadows that inspired Keat's poem, 'An Ode to Autumn' Please meet in the Terrace Bar no later than 5.55pm for the start of this walking tour.
Supporting Your Wellbeing Through Writing
Would you like to explore how writing positively can support your wellbeing and find out what else it might be able to do? Join us for a short session on positive affect journalling and find out how a recent university project saw the impact of regular positive writing on wellbeing, attendance and grades
The Great Freshers Bingo Giveaway
Not your normal bingo Our DJ and host will get you dancing, performing and playing games inbetween rounds. Every £1 spent of tickets goes back into prizes, at the biggest giveaway you ' re likely to see in your time at uni Win an air fryer for your flat? A giant cardboard cut out of your favourite celeb? Year long free entry to BOP?
Tie Decorating and Cocktails
Craft and drink - We are going back to school! So let’s sip on a cocktail and get fancy and creative!
Vintage Vera
The UK's BEST Kilo Sale! Come grab some banging vintage clothing
Vinyl Indie Night
The best Indie Rock in Winchester night is back for it's second year
Visiting/Exchange Academic Success Session
An introduction to Higher Education study in the UK for Visiting/Exchange students. Learn how to access support and succeed as visiting or exchange student.
Visiting/Exchange Drop-in
An opportunity for our new Visiting/Exchange students to ask questions related to their course, module changes and anything else they may need
Visiting/ Exchange Student Welcome
The formal welcome for our incoming Visiting/Exchange students that will be studying at Winchester this year/ term
Walk Musical Winchester
Join Music Centre members and staff for a guided walk around the musical venues of Winchester
Wellbeing Hub and Quiet Space
Members of the Student Support and Success team will be available for you to drop in and speak to over Welcome Week
Welcome Service
Join the Chaplaincy for an Ecumenical service to welcome everyone to a new academic year.
Wooden Letter Decorating
Want to create a sign for your room or kitchen? Come and decorate wooden letters at West Downs.