We're here to help you make friends, settle into UCL and discover how to make the most of your time here. Our jam-packed events schedule will help you to discover everything student life at UCL has to offer.
But with so many amazing events on - even if we do say so ourselves - how are you to decide what to do? Here are the highlights, the must-dos, the can't miss things happening during Welcome Week...
Welcome Fair
This is the big one - but it's not all just about picking up as many freebies as you can (although we've got plenty of that on offer). This is your opportunity to chat to all of our student groups, with absolutely no commitment required. For example, even if you're not remotely interested in joining Taylor Swift Society, why not rock up to their stall anyway to see what goes on at their socials? This is your time to be curious, ask all the questions and discover what the UCL community is all about.
Welcome Fair will take place on Saturday 30 September & Sunday 1 October - keep an eye on your inbox to find out when the free tickets can be booked.
Can't make the Welcome Fair? There'll be mini fairs throughout the week in the main quad, plus live music and performances. Check the big quad events listings here for details.
Club and Society Taster Sessions
These are free sessions to help you get a feel for a club or society before you join. This is a great way to try new things and test the water before committing, in a pressure free environment. For example, if you're trying a completely new sport like Ice Skating, you can be assured that you'll be surrounded by fellow newbies, not award winning figure skaters.
Check out all our Clubs and Societies, and remember - you miss 100% of the shots you don't take, so try something out of your comfort zone!
Take advantage of the Free Taster membership, allowing you to join any club or society for free to see what they're like before you commit.
All of these taster events will be listed on our What's On page and run throughout the Welcome period.
Going out in London...
If you've got partying on the mind, we've got a whole lot in store for you. This year's Welcome Week nightlife line-up is our most impressive yet - we're giving you a whistle-stop tour of what London nightlife is all about. With nights at iconic London clubs such as Ministry of Sound, Scala and Egg exclusively for UCL students, this is your induction to what clubbing in London is all about.
Prefer something a little more boujee, with a hint of tourism? We've got loads of Boat Parties lined up for you, allowing you to see the sights and party your way down the Thames.
Make sure to check out our guide to clubbing safely before you go. Cheers!
Get to know your on-campus facilities...
Our bars will be a staple of your student life at UCL - with jaw-dropping offers, a buzzing atmosphere and events offering everything from electronic nights to live jazz to good old pub quizzes. They've got tons going on to celebrate Welcome, so try them out and find your favourite new watering hole on campus:
Mully's Karaoke - a fan favourite among UCL students, there's no better way to spend your Saturday night than belting out Wonderwall in the basement of the Lewis Building. Not convinced? Try our Welcome Karaoke out for size - as long as you can deal with the inevitable drunken rendition of Mr Brightside at the end of the night.
We've got so many well-loved nights at Phineas, our 25 Gordon Street bar, from Glittoris (our LGBTQ+ night) to the Cheesegrater Society pub quiz.
It's not all nightlife
We've got tons of activities on during the day that you can dip in and out of - think arts and crafts, bottomless brunches, cycle cinemas, live performances in the main quad and much more.
All of these events are designed to you meet new people in a pressure free environment, as well as introducing you to a variety of spaces on campus.
We have to give a special mention to our famous Plant and Poster sales. Especially for those of you staying in halls, picking up a couple of pieces of wall art and a cactus can transform your room from drab to fab.
Try something completely random
Step out of your comfort zone and try something new. Look out for the weird stuff, and jump in. From
Project Active run events all year round at a very low price, but why not add a class to your Welcome Schedule? Find out more about them here.
You don't have to do everything!
Moving to University is a huge step in itself, so don't feel you have to attend every event! Give yourself time to recharge - invite a classmate for a coffee, take a stroll around your new neighbourhood, and never feel bad for taking a night off. Our Welcome Crew will be on hand throughout your first few weeks to help you settle in, so if you're feeling lost or unsure, find them on campus for a chat.