Welcome Events

International Welcome events

We understand that arriving in a new city and country can feel overwhelming. Come and join our welcome events to learn more about Newcastle and make new friends.

International Welcome Information Fair

The information fair will be:

• in the Frederick Douglass Centre (see campus map)
• on 10, 11 and 12 September 2025 between 10:00 and 15:00 (10:00-13:00 on Friday 12 September)

Chat with representatives from services across the university and city. Find out more information about:

• Library and Academic Skills
• Careers Service
• University Security
• Sports Centre
• Language Resource Centre
• NUSU (Students' Union)
• Nexus (local transportation)
• Northumbria Police
• Student Health and Wellbeing Service
• University of Sanctuary
• HSBC (for general banking queries)

Refreshments will be provided. You'll be able to chat with other new students over a tea or coffee.

Take a Plate

At the end of last year, students were asked to donate unwanted kitchenware (cups, plates, bowls, glasses and cutlery) to our ‘Take a Plate’ scheme for new international students.

Items will be available free of charge*, from our ‘Take a Plate’ stall in the Frederick Douglass Centre from 10am on Wednesday 10 September on a first-come first-served basis– when it’s gone, it’s gone!

*Students will be limited to take 1 of each type of donated item per person. 

The BIG Welcome

The BIG Welcome is your ultimate introduction to the Students’ Union! Five weeks of big events, fairs, and hundreds of activities await. Explore sports, join societies, and try out volunteering. Relax in our new social spaces or grab a bite to eat. Need some support along the way? We’ve got you covered. Plus, get to know your SU leaders and uncover the best things our city has to offer!

The BIG Welcome is hosted by the Students' Union and will run over the first five weeks of term 1. This will be bursting with ways to get involved with the Students' Union, and will include fairs, new opportunities, and a BIG programme of super-discounted (or free) activities, events, and special offers.

Activities

For The BIG Welcome, the Students' Union will be releasing super-discounted tickets for events and activities which will allow students to meet one another, get involved in something fun and explore the best of the city.

The schedule will be released on 1 September 2025.

Other

During The BIG Welcome, students will be able to get free trial memberships to academic societies to allow them to browse what's going on before committing to purchasing a full membership. Our course-based societies will be hosting loads of welcome events during this period.

During the five weeks of The BIG Welcome, the SU will also be hosting StuBrew Brewery Bash, Plant & Poster Sales, a big on-campus Welcome Day (22 September), Student Media afternoons, a big varsity sporting event, a wellbeing fair, and a day of advocacy.