Outdoor events planned to welcome students back to campus
Two covered outdoor venues will be built to host large-scale events and fairs for the duration of Welcome Week 2021.
The events are being organised in a partnership between the University, the Students’ Association and University of Edinburgh Sport and will be used to welcome new and returning students back to Edinburgh in September.
The temporary venues will provide spaces for student community building events; enabling new and returning students to connect in-person with their peers.
The last year was different and often difficult for many current and incoming students: finishing school or a degree remotely, putting travel plans on hold, or taking exams from their bedrooms, it’s been tough. Our events will be run in a way which is mindful of the times we’re in: we know the events we put on support and help students ‘find their people’ and join and build communities that support them through their University journey. I’m really excited about this opportunity for students!”
Flagship events
The Bristo Square space will host society and sports fairs, student performances and screenings of films, including the Principal’s Welcome Ceremony (historically held in the McEwan Hall).
The Reid Hall Quad space will be a ‘wellbeing hub’ for students to get help and information and to attend exercise and mindfulness sessions.
Alongside these events, students will also be offered a hybrid programme of online and in-person events to get involved with.
We are delighted to provide a warm welcome back to campus for all new and returning students. Our University community has made extraordinary efforts to adapt over the past year and a half, and these efforts have continued in preparation for Welcome Week. We have carried out a huge amount of activity to allow us to gradually reopen our campuses with all appropriate measures in place to enable us to do this in a safe way. I wish all students the very best for the year ahead and hope that everyone can enjoy all that student life at Edinburgh has to offer.
We, at the Sports Union, are delighted to be able to welcome students back on campus and offer a safe space for them to find and form friendships, and communities, which extend well beyond sport and university life. I hope that as many students as possible are able to experience this for themselves.
Related links
Events and Activities at the University
Guidance on the 2021/2022 Academic Year