How to Make the Most of Freshers' Week in Manchester

My name is Alisa Pasha and I'm a student at the University of Manchester studying History. I'm currently Editor-in-Chief of the Manchester Tab and a writer for EdFringe Review. Alongside being a keen writer, I love acting, do competitive running and play the drumkit!

So, you’ve been accepted into university in Manchester – congratulations! You’re about to start an exciting new chapter, and what better way is there to settle in than by exploring everything the city has to offer during Freshers’ Week?

Also known as Welcome Week, Freshers’ is packed with events designed to help you meet people, discover your campus and get to know your new home. From Students’ Union fairs and society events to exploring Manchester itself, here’s what to look out for.

When is Manchester Freshers' Week 2026?

For 2026, Welcome Week dates in Manchester depend on which uni you go to:

• University of Manchester: from 21st September 2026 (according to UoM's website)

• Manchester Metropolitan University: move-in weekend is 18th-20th September, meaning Freshers' is from 21st September 2026 (according to MMU's website)

• University of Salford: from 7th September 2026 (according to Salford Uni's website)

How to make the most of Freshers' Week in Manchester

Freshers’ and society fairs 🎉

One of the first things you’ll want to check out is your university’s Freshers’ Fair. These are a great introduction to campus life, with societies, sports clubs, student groups, charities and local businesses all setting up stalls.

Expect plenty of freebies, too! Freshers’ Fairs are practically guaranteed to leave you heading home with tote bags, snacks, vouchers and other goodies.

Need more convincing? Read our blog post on the 5 reasons why you should check out your uni's Freshers' Fair.

Society events 👥

Speaking of societies, Freshers’ Week is the perfect time to try something new. Most societies will run taster or Give-It-A-Go sessions, giving you the chance to see what they’re like before committing.

My advice? Go to every taster session that sounds interesting. You’re not signing your life away by attending one, and you don’t have to join afterwards. In fact, you’ll probably only end up properly sticking with a couple of societies, so Freshers’ is the ideal opportunity to get a flavour of what’s available.

Whether you fancy trying a new sport, joining a cultural society, getting involved in volunteering or discovering something completely random, give it a go.

We talk more about societies and how they work in this guide here, and our Content Ambassador Sophie has also written a post on what she wishes she'd known about societies beforehand.

Students’ Union events 🕺

Definitely keep an eye on your Students’ Union’s Freshers’ programme. They will have plenty of events designed to help students socialise, including a Silent Disco, Roller Raves and much more.

These are a great alternative to traditional club nights and a chance to meet people in a more activity-focused setting. Even if you’re planning plenty of nights out, mixing things up can make Freshers’ feel much less repetitive.

Explore Manchester’s nightlife scene 🪩

Manchester is famous for its nightlife, and Freshers’ is a great time to experience the city’s buzzing student atmosphere.

For 2026, Cool It Events is bringing together the University of Manchester, Manchester Metropolitan University and the University of Salford for a collaborative programme of Freshers’ events across the city.

The partnership is designed to give students a reliable selection of events across some of Manchester’s biggest student venues, rather than having to rely on unofficial Freshers’ parties.

The key thing is not to feel like you have to attend everything. Pick events you genuinely fancy, keep an eye on your university’s official listings and remember that Freshers’ is just as much about meeting people as it is about going out.

Get out and explore the city 🏙️

Take an afternoon to explore the city centre with your new flatmates and see where you end up.

Manchester Museum is a lovely day out; located right on Oxford Road, the museum is an easy place to visit when you want something a little more relaxed.

Check out the Northern Quarter’s independent shops and cafés, wander around Castlefield, explore the canals or simply find some of your new favourite food spots. You don’t need to plan every minute – getting lost together is part of the fun when you’re all learning the city for the first time.

Don’t forget to slow down 🧘

With so much happening, it’s easy to feel like you’re missing out. But you definitely don’t need to attend every event. Make time to find your lecture buildings, learn your route to campus, grab some food with your flatmates and have a quiet evening when you need one.

The best thing about Freshers’ Week in Manchester? Everyone is starting somewhere new. Get involved at your own pace, say hello to people on your course, try something you wouldn’t normally do and give yourself time to settle in. Before long, the city that once felt unfamiliar will start to feel like home.

Start looking for Manchester student accommodation with UniHomes

Freshers's Week might have only just arrived, but it'll be time to start searching for next year's student home before you know it.

At UniHomes, we work with letting agents and PBSA providers across the North to bring you a wide range of student accommodations in Manchester – so whether you're looking for a student house or private halls, we can help you find that place that's right for you. Click here to find student accommodation in Manchester today.

This post is part of the UniHomes Content Ambassador programme, where current students across the UK share tips about student life in their city to help you make the most of your time at uni. Like these guides? Add UniHomes as a preferred source in Google with just one click by checking the box to see more expert content from our student writers!

Whilst you’re out having fun in your new uni city, remember that UniHomes promotes responsible drinking, and any alcohol products featured within this article are for ages 18+.

The views and opinions expressed in these blogs are those of the UniHomes Content Ambassadors and do not necessarily reflect the opinion of UniHomes. UniHomes accepts no liability for the content of these Student Blogs.