Each year, our Welcome programme features a range of social and academic events designed to help ease you in to university life. Find out about plans for 2026 and plan your week.
Welcome Week - sometimes known as freshers' week - is organised by teams across the University, your and the Colleges. In 2026 it takes place from Monday 28 September until Sunday 4 October, which is straight after Arrivals Weekend, and immediately before the new term.
Visit the Welcome programme schedule to access custom event details for Arrivals Weekend and Welcome Week.
It's important to set the filters to display events that are available to you.
Welcome Schedule 2026Schedule updates may be made
Please regularly check the schedule, as there may be changes to details and new events could be added.
Support is available
If you experience any technical issues, please . If you have a query about an event and you know which team or department is managing it, you can . If you aren't sure, please simply get in touch with the . Find out more about general support for students.
Beware fake ‘freshers’ tickets and chats
Outside of our schedule, you may come across ‘Freshers’ social profiles, group chats and link trees that promise they’re ‘100% official’ – but they may not be what they seem. Protect your money and personal details by only accessing official events and accounts provided by your University and Students’ Union.
Welcome Week is a chance to get orientated, grab some free swag, settle in, make friends, and most importantly have fun. Here are some snaps of what new students have gotten up to at previous Welcome Weeks.
We've had...
"Lancaster is known for its diversity and it’s easy to make friends and share culture. The welcome week and Students’ Union enable opportunities to explore various clubs and societies and meet new people every day. The campus is like a town of its own, with various facilities for students and staff such as restaurants, a pharmacy, post services and much more. It ensures that the students feel at home while they study at Lancaster." - Ranel Miranda, Graduate College
