New Students

Welcome Week events

We are really excited to have so many of you joining us on campus and online and are looking forward to meeting you all during Welcome Week. We have a number of Welcome Week events taking place to help to support, inform and welcome you to the community. These are all optional events, but highly recommended.

What's on for all students 

Please check your University of Edinburgh emails regularly for direct communications, including information about specific activities nearer to the start date.

Accessing your University email and calendar

Principal's Welcome Ceremony - Monday 11 September

On the first day of Welcome Week, Monday 11 September, we have our optional but highly popular Principal's Welcome Ceremony in McEwan Hall. 

A graduation ceremony in McEwan Hall

We invite all new students to attend or watch the event on live stream from the comfort of your own home or on campus. 

Please note that there is no booking required for this event. Once we reach full capacity at McEwan Hall,  we recommend students go to one of our recommended campus buildings to watch the live stream and enjoy watching the ceremony with other new students. 

If you are an online student or have not arrived on campus, you can watch the live stream of the ceremony at 2:30pm (BST time).

More Information on the Principal's Welcome Ceremony

University Welcome and Opportunities Fair - Wednesday 13 September and Thursday 14 September (Times vary - see below)

Student Support Fair in McEwan Hall

All new students are invited to attend the University Welcome and Opportunities Fair in McEwan Hall on:

Wednesday 13 September between 12pm - 2pm and Thursday 14 September between 10am - 12pm.

The University Welcome and Opportunities Fair is an event at which many of the University's central support service representatives, and some outwith the University, gather to display their information.

You’ll also find out more about the fantastic opportunities that you can take full advantage of during your time as a student.

No booking is required. 

More information on the University Welcome and Opportunities Fair 

How to... in-person sessions - Wednesday 13 September and Thursday 14 September

Student Ambassadors wearing brightly coloured t-shirts

New students can join our 30-minute 'How to...' sessions covering topics we know are useful and valuable to you at the start of your University journey. The sessions will take place in McEwan Hall basement rooms at the same time as the University Welcome and Opportunities Fair. 

Wednesday 13 September:

  • How to... Manage your time effectively (UG/PGT/PGR), 12pm - 12:30pm
  • How to... Access support from the Equally Safe Team (UG/PGT/PGR), 12:30pm - 1pm
  • How to... Get involved at University (UG/PGT/PGR), 1pm - 1:30pm
  • How to... Get off to an effective start with your Postgraduate Taught degree (PGT), 1:30pm - 2pm

Thursday 14 September:

  • How to... Open a bank account and manage your money in the UK (UG/PGT/PGR), 10am - 10:30am
  • How to... Use Learn Ultra (UG/PGT/PGR), 10:30am - 11am
  • How to... Manage culture shock (UG/PGT/PGR), 11am - 11:30am
  • How to... Let's stay Safe and Secure at University (UG/PGT/PGR), 11:30am - 12pm

Spaces are limited so make sure you book your place at each of the sessions you'd like to attend.

On the day you may still turn up at the session start time if you haven't booked. If there are spaces available then we will do our best to let you attend, on a first come first served basis. Thank you.

More information on the 'How to...' in-person sessions and how to book your place

 

Chinese Consulate Session on Fraud awareness for Chinese Students - Wednesday 13 September

On Wednesday 13 September, 10:30am - 11:30am, the Consul from the Chinese Consulate will present this session to provide new Chinese students with important information and support in recognising and avoiding different types of telecommunications fraud.

This session will:

  • Increase awareness of different types of fraud/scams
  • Highlight support available to you, including wellbeing support
  • Give guidance on how to keep you and your information secure during your time at the University

After the presentation there will be an opportunity to ask any questions you may have.

The session will take place in Foyer Room 5 in the basement of McEwan Hall.

Book your place

Spaces are limited so please make sure you book your place. On the day you may still turn up at the session start time if you haven't booked. If there are spaces available then we will do our best to let you attend, on a first come first served basis. Thank you.

Click here to book your place at the Chinese Consulate Session on Fraud awareness for Chinese Students

Planning your Induction

In order to make your welcome period as easy to plan as possible, we invite you to download the 'UoE Events App'. The app aims to give you:

  • Useful information about getting started at University
  • Pre-made checklists for starting University
  • Ability to look through all events during Welcome Week and plan your own induction programme from 21st August 2023

You can download the app now from any app store.

University of Edinburgh Events App 

 

Relevant Links 

Your Essential Top 6 Tasks | The University of Edinburgh

Things to consider 

Access support services 

 

Principal's Welcome Ceremony

Professor Peter Mathieson
On the first day of Welcome Week, Principal Peter Mathieson welcomes all new students to the University community. For those who cannot be on-campus, or if you have to attend another activity such as induction with your School or Programme at the same time, the event will be live-streamed and recorded.

University Welcome and Opportunities Fair

As part of Welcome Week, we are offering all new students the chance to meet with staff from student support services across the University, find out more about the opportunities available to you, ask questions and meet other students.

Specific events for Postgraduate Taught students

The University organises exclusive Postgraduate Taught student welcome events, before you start and throughout Welcome Week and beyond. These events are tailored to you and will give you the opportunity meet others and to find out everything you need to know to get off to a great start at University.

Specific events for Postgraduate Research students

The University of Edinburgh invites all new postgraduate research students to free and exclusive events that are tailored to you. These events will give you the chance to meet others and discover the many opportunities available to you.