Record numbers of students take part in Welcome activities

03 Oct 2018

Students arriving in September were given a warm welcome to the city and campus, with record numbers participating in a variety of events and activities

Welcome 2018 saw new and returning students make the most of all that Manchester has to offer. Working in partnership with the Students' Union, we offered dozens of events and activities across campus over ten days. 

Every year, colleagues from across the University work together to ensure that new students have the best possible start to their university experience. Thanks to all those that took part. 

Some of the key achievements include:

• Our flagship Sustainability Challenge, part of Stellify, saw 4,500 students work together across 9 buildings with the support of hundreds of colleagues in just one day
• 3,000 staff and Peer Mentors wore their Ask Me badges to offer a warm welcome to all students 
• Over 7,000 students visited the University Start of Year Fair over 2 days 
• Around 3,000 students visited the new Global Village event on Saturday, 15 September 
• Record numbers participated in our dedicated postgraduate events 
• As of 27 September, 35,635 new and returning students had completed their registration
• Across seven days more than 1,000 international students were welcomed by our Airport Collection Team 
• Colleagues in Residential and Sport Services worked tirelessly to welcome 6,500 students to their new homes in University accommodation

Quote from our new students include:

• “The first week has gone great. Effectively organized workshops, welcome sessions, great interactions with a bunch of students. It truly achieved the purpose of making the new students feel welcome.”
• “I really appreciate the design of the welcome week which invariably makes all students welcome, comfortable and ready to tackle the academic year ahead.”
• “Making new friends from all over the world definitely is a cheerful thing.”
• “I enjoyed knowing the city a bit more. I also very much enjoyed meeting new people and getting to know uni better, I have a better idea of how it is here. People here are very welcoming and ready to help.”

Our new international students were also treated to a specially-commissioned song composed and performed by Claire Mooney, to welcome them to the University. 

Welcome is coordinated by colleagues in the Directorate for the Student Experience, the Students' Union and colleagues across Professional Services working in faculties and schools.