The Ultimate Guide to Freshers’ Week 2026 in Newcastle

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About the author: Hi, I’m Lara Parsons! I recently graduated from Newcastle University with a degree in Journalism, Media and Culture. Originally from London, I've loved experiencing the buzz of both cities and I'm excited to share my tips on the best places to explore near you!

Congratulations, you’re in! You’ve landed a place at a university in Newcastle, which is an enormous achievement – well done you.

Now onto your next hurdle… tackling Freshers' Week! Knowing where to go and what events to attend is a hard task, especially when all the other Freshers are wandering around Newcastle, sussing everyone else out and looking like they know what they’re doing.

This is where I come in, your fairy godmother who’s attended Freshers' Week in Newcastle three years in a row. I’m here to quell your anxieties, and let you know that it’s okay to feel overwhelmed by the thought of starting uni – everyone is feeling the same way as you.

It’s important to note that Freshers' Week may not be the so-called “best week of your life”, but you can definitely have a fun-filled few days if you follow this simple guide. So, here’s a few things that will help you to navigate the beginning of your journey at Newcastle.

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When is Newcastle Freshers’ Week 2026?

Here's when Welcome Week officially starts for both Newcastle unis:

• Newcastle University: from 21st September 2026 (according to Newcastle's SU website)
• Northumbria University: from 21st September 2026 (according to Northumbria's website)

What you need to know about Freshers’ Week in Newcastle

Club nights 🪩

Events are frequent and varied in Newcastle, with venues coming together to host banging nights out every night of the week. An event company to keep up with during Freshers' Week 2026 is Voodoo Events, who's hosting functions in a multitude of venues.

Some events I’d recommend attending are as follows:

1. Freshers Takeover: The Points

On Sunday 20th September, The Points (home of the famous Skint parties) is aiming to get all students in one place, making it easy to mingle and make friends. Student drink discounts will be available and un-self conscious dancing will be rife.

2. The Big One: Digital

F*CK ME It's Freshers is currently scheduled for Tuesday 22 September, between 22:00-3:00 at Digital. Prepare for a multi-room party full of neon glow sticks, LED batons and students smothered in UV paint.

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Freshers' fairs 🎉

Freebies fairs

Freebies fairs are a great excuse to visit your Students’ Union (SU) or, at the very least, get a free pen before your first lecture.

Newcastle University is hosting a Welcome Day for students attending their uni this academic year. Starting at 11:00 on 30th September in the Student Forum and Boiler House, all students are encouraged to meet the SU members, try a range of activities, snatch a freebie or two, and grab some food and drinks.

Northumbria University is putting on a Freebies and Freshers' Fair across 21-22 September, starting at 10:00 and lasting all day. They’re giving away free tidbits and vouchers from local and big businesses as a way to introduce you to what Newcastle has in store (quite literally).

Still need convincing? Our blog post on the 5 reasons why you should check out your uni's Freshers' Fair can help persuade you to go.

Societies fairs

There'll also be society fairs, which are a great way to see which clubs are available at your uni. Many offer free taster days and trials so you can suss out the vibe of the clubs and the other people who may also join. I’d highly recommend joining at least one society – particularly a sports society, as the sporting scene is massive in Newcastle. Alongside regular matches, every team is committed to organising bonding activities in the form of both sober socials and bar crawls.

The Newcastle University societies fair is on at their Sports Centre from 10:00-15:00 on 23 September. Northumbria University is showcasing their societies at Domain, in the Students’ Union building, on 23 September between 10:00-16:00.

And if you need a little more info on how societies work, here's Content Ambassador Sophie's post on what she wishes she'd known about societies, as well as our beginner's guide to societies.

SU events 👥

International student welcome events are hosted by both Newcastle University and Northumbria University, and are designed to help you settle in and meet other students.

Newcastle University is calling for international students to attend a welcome session on 16-18 September between 10:00-15:00 in the Frederick Douglas Centre; while Northumbria University is hosting a welcome tea party for their international students on 18 September at 15:30-17:00.

More events organised by both universities are also available to take part in, ranging from poster sales, wellbeing fairs, media afternoons and gig nights.

Events at Newcastle University can be found here, and events at Northumbria University can be found here.

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Exploring your city 🗺️

Ideal for international students and those not familiar with Newcastle, both universities are offering city and campus tours for those interested. Led by current students, you’ll get an authentic insight into what the city has to offer and where the most popular student spots are hiding.

As Newcastle and Northumbria are campus unis, most university-owned buildings are located on campus or within a 25-minute walk of the main campus – making a tour a quick and easy way to explore the city before lectures begin. Make sure to ask as many questions as possible; the role of these volunteers is to make you feel comfortable and to ease your transition into university.

If the tours don’t align with your schedule, I’d recommend exploring the city yourself. Grab a coffee (using my blog post on the best cafés in Newcastle, of course) and have a gander around to note some places you’d like to visit and to familiarise yourself with your new home.

Not sure where to get started? Read my guide to Newcastle city centre for inspo, or check out my blog post on the most Instagrammable places in Newcastle.

Final take 🏁

Alongside these practical tips, I’d also recommend bringing warm clothes, a sturdy umbrella and a lightweight raincoat that can all fit into your everyday bag. The chilly and unpredictable weather associated with Newcastle is no myth, so make sure to prepare for every combination of conditions before you arrive.

Lastly, try to experience as much as possible during Freshers' Week. It’s your opportunity to try out new things and meet a range of different people. In saying this, it’s important to feel comfortable saying no – you don’t have to drink, go out, or hang out with anyone you don’t want to. Tailor your Freshers' Week to suit your priorities and interests.

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Get a head start on finding student accommodation in Newcastle for next year

It's never too early to start looking for next year's student home. Here at UniHomes, we work with letting agents across the North East to bring you a wide range of student accommodation options in Newcastle, from houses and flats to private halls – all with bills included. Click here to find student accommodation in Newcastle 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.