Welcome to Portsmouth
Meet new people, join clubs and societies, settle into your accommodation and get to know your campus and city. These welcome events are open to all students, whether you're new or returning after the summer.
Important dates
- International Orientation Week - 15 September to 19 September
- Welcome Festival on moving-in weekend - 20 September and 21 September
- Freshers' Fayre - 23 September and 24 September
- Give Me Sport - 25 September to 28 September
Induction and teaching timeables
Your induction and teaching timetables will be published on 25 August on your Student View. Please be aware that your teaching timetables are subject to change until 8 September, as sometimes we have to make minor changes.
See all key dates for the academic year. You'll need to complete your registration or re-registration if you're a continuing student to access all welcome events.
Welcome events
Welcome to Portsmouth! We’d like to invite you to our exciting welcome events.
International Orientation Week
Monday 15 - Sunday 19 September
Stepping into a new course in a new country is an opportunity to embrace new passions, make new friends and make the most of your time as an international student.
We are really excited to welcome you to Portsmouth and as well as university-wide activities for you to experience, you can take part in our International Orientation programme in person, online and on-demand.
Welcome Festival 2025
Saturday 20 and Sunday 21 September
Once you’ve moved in, head down to our Welcome Festival on Gun House Green, right next to the Students' Union. We have plenty of room for you, your parents and friends to sit and enjoy street food and games, meet other students and talk to our friendly support staff who are on hand to answer all your questions. Plus you could win a University hoodie in our treasure hunt! We'll be open from 10.00am to 3.00pm on both days.
Freshers' Fayre
Tuesday 23 and Wednesday 24 September
Freshers' Fayre is a great opportunity to meet new people, join a new sports club or society, grab some freebies and free pizza and enjoy the atmosphere next to the Students' Union on Gun House Green and into Ravelin Sports Centre. Support services are also on hand to help you get set for the term ahead.
If you can’t wait until then, check out our Virtual Freshers’ Fayre to find student groups you’d love to join.
Give Me Sport
Thursday 25 to Sunday 28 September
Try out our 34 Team UOP Sports Clubs at Give Me Sport, Thursday 25 - Sunday 28 September. You can try out both casual taster sessions and trials for our competitive teams, with no previous experience needed and no commitment to sign up straight away.
Which of our 34 sports clubs will you try first?
Through your Give Me Sport ticket you can also try out Ravelin Sport Centre's swimming pool and fitness classes.
What's on during Welcome Month
Welcome Month events fall into in four main themes. Use them to help you plan your events diary and spot the events most important to you.
Student life
Discover the opportunities available to you outside study by exploring societies, new hobbies and Portsmouth.
Support and guidance
Attending support and guidance events will help you get set up and prepared for the new year ahead.
International students
Events exclusively for international students to help you get settled into life in the UK.
Sports Tasters
Try a sport you like or try something new while making new friends.
Monday 15 September
1.00pm to 3.00pm | International Orientation Week Speed Friending
Thursday 18 September
1.00pm to 2.00pm | Meet the artist
Saturday 20 September
10.00pm to 3.00pm | Welcome Festival
Saturday 20 September
6.30pm to 8.30pm | Welcome Festival: Icebreaker at the Students' Union
Saturday 20 September
6.30pm to 8.30pm | Welcome Festival: Icebreaker at Catherine House
Saturday 20 September
6.30pm to 8.30pm | Welcome Festival: Icebreaker at Chaucer House
Sunday 21 September
10.00pm to 3.00pm | Welcome Festival
Sunday 21 September
6.30pm to 8.30pm | Welcome Festival: Icebreaker at the Students' Union
Sunday 21 September
6.30pm to 8.30pm | Welcome Festival: Icebreaker at Rees Hall
Sunday 21 September
6.30pm to 8.30pm | Welcome Festival: Icebreaker at Bateson Hall
Sunday 21 September
6.30pm to 8.30pm | Welcome Festival: Icebreaker at the Langstone Student Village
Tuesday 23 September
10.00pm to 4.00pm | Freshers Fayre
Tuesday 23 September
1.00pm - 3.00pm | Induction Week Speed Friending
Wednesday 24 September
10.00pm to 4.00pm | Freshers Fayre
Wednesday 24 September
6.30pm to 8.30pm | Mocktail Mingle
Wednesday 24 September
6.30pm to 8.30pm | Inclusive Icebreakers
Wednesday 24 September
6.30pm to 8.30pm | Wellness Walk: Catherine House
Thursday 25 September
6.30pm to 8.30pm | Icebreakers at Rosalind Franklin Halls
Thursday 25 September
6.30pm to 8.30pm | Icebreakers at Greetham Street
Thursday 25 September
6.30pm to 8.30pm | Icebreakers at Chaucer House
Thursday 25 September
6.30pm to 8.30pm | Icebreakers at Catherine House
Thursday 25 September
6.30pm to 8.30pm | Letters to my future self - Uni bucket list
Friday 26 September
6.30pm to 8.30pm | Monthly Film Friday: Monsters University
Friday 26 September
6.30pm to 8.30pm | Icebreakers at Rees Hall
Monday 29 September
10.00am to 4.00pm | Vintage Vera
Thursday 2 October
11.00am to 2.00pm | Work Experience Festival
Thursday 2 October
6.30pm to 8.30pm | Monthly: Cupcakes and Catch Up at Langstone Flats
Thursday 2 October
6.30pm to 8.30pm | Monthly: Cupcakes and Catch Up at Bateson Hall
Thursday 2 October
6.30pm to 8.30pm | Monthly: Cupcakes and Catch Up at Catherine House
Thursday 2 October
6.30pm to 8.30pm | Monthly: Cupcakes and Catch Up at Greetham Street
Thursday 2 October
6.30pm to 8.30pm | Monthly: Cupcakes and Catch Up at Chaucer House
Thursday 2 October
6.30pm to 8.30pm | Monthly: Cupcakes and Catch Up at Rosalind Franklin Halls
Thursday 2 October
6.30pm to 8.30pm | Monthly: Cupcakes and Catch Up at Rees Hall
Friday 3 October
12.00pm to 1.00pm | Feel Good Friday – Transition from College to University
Friday 3 October
6.30pm to 8.30pm | Wellness Walk
Wednesday 8 October
6.30pm to 8.30pm | Icebreakers at Langstone Flats
Wednesday 8 October
6.30pm to 8.30pm | Icebreakers at Bateson Hall
Thursday 9 October
6.30pm to 8.30pm | Moodboard Making
Thursday 9 October
6.30pm to 8.30pm | Poetry Night - Black History Month
Friday 10 October
12.00pm to 1.00pm | Feel Good Friday – Your Health
Friday 10 October
6.30pm to 8.30pm | Clay Modelling - World Mental Health Day
Friday 10 October
6.30pm to 8.30pm | Wellness Walks - World Mental Health Day
Wednesday 15 October
6.30pm to 8.30pm | Games Night
Thursday 16 October
6.30pm to 8.30pm | Plant Potting
Friday 17 October
12.00pm to 1.00pm | Feel Good Friday – Community and Making Friends
Friday 17 October
6.30pm to 8.30pm | Film Friday special: Black History Month
Friday 24 October
12.00pm to 1.00pm | Feel Good Friday – Sex and Relationships
Friday 31 October
12.00pm to 1.00pm | Feel Good Friday – Money Money Money
Friday 7 November
12.00pm to 1.00pm | Feel Good Friday – SoS
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How to get started at uni
Welcome to distance learning at Portsmouth
Find out how to get the most out of university as a distance learner.
