The Official Freshers Fortnight events, HUGE daytime events, mixers and more! All perfect for finding friends and helping you settle into university life.

What's On at SU Welcome 24

Get ready for a timetable packed with FREE events, campus tours, fun activities and opportunities to meet new friends.

It's all designed to help you settle into University life and make your start at Essex unforgettable 🌟🎉

Exactly as described, these are the BIG welcome events for students at Essex - perfect for finding friends, having a laugh, and avoiding FOMO.

HOW DO THE BIG 4 WELCOME EVENTS WORK?

You'll will be sorted into 1 of 3 teams on arrival at event. This will be your team for the week.

Earn points for your team by attending The Big 4 Welcome Events - SU Code Breakers, SU Mini Golf, SU Challenge Quest and SU Binglow. PLUS, the chance to win prizes.

Daily raffle prize – 1 entry to the daily raffle on the day of a big 4 welcome event you attend

HUGE end of week prize – 1 entry for each of the big 4 welcome events you attend (max. 4 entries)

Keep your wristband on for the whole week to stay faithful to your team. Oh, and the winning team each day will receive 10% off in Top Bar for that day, plus 10% off in The Kitchen the following day.

Keep reading to find out more about each event 👇

SU CODE BREAKERS

MON 30 SEP | 13:00, 14:30 & 16:00 | SUB ZERO

Put your code breaking skills to the test with 100s of other Essex students.

Come alone or with a friend. Work as a team to solve clues, decode riddles, and unlock challenges to break the code and win! PLUS, get the chance to steal points from another team 👀

Don’t miss the chance to take part in our first big welcome event. Pre book one of the three timeslots from Tuesday 3 September.

BOOK YOUR SPACE

SU MINI GOLF

TUES 1 OCT | 11:00-17:00 | NORTH TOWERS

A one-of-a-kind Mini Golf experience â›³

Come alone or with friends and take on the SU Mini Golf course! Whether you’re a putting pro or a complete newbie, this event is open to all.

Our yellow carpeted 💛 course is the ideal place to enjoy your afternoon and enter into a bit of healthy competition. It’s free and there’s no need to pre-book so pop along anytime from 11:00 - last entry 16:30.

Plus, get a hole in one and you might win a prize! 

ADD REMINDER TO YOUR CALENDAR

SU CHALLENGE QUEST

WED 2 OCT | 14:00-17:00 | SPORTS FIELD

You won't want to miss this one âš¡

Join us on the sports pitches and take on the SU Challenge Quest where you’ll tackle games and giant inflatables to win points for your team. But there's a twist... at the start you will be told if you are a Traitor or Faithful. Traitor's will be tasked with sabotaging a game. Work as a team to catch your Traitor and win EXTRA points. If the Traitor succeeds without being caught, they win a prize.

Come alone or with a friend and put your teamwork to the test for a chance to win amazing prizes, belly laugh like there’s no tomorrow and form friendships to kickstart your journey at Essex.

BOOK YOUR SPACE

SU BINGLOW

THURS 3 OCT | 13:00, 14:30 & 16:00 | SUB ZERO

The ultimate FREE bingo rave party.

An unforgettable afternoon of bingo mixed with big party anthems, on stage entertainment (say hello to your student leaders!) and interactive games with a chance to win a whole host of prizes.  All in Essex’s biggest student nightclub, Sub Zero, right in the heart of campus.

Not to mention FREE neon facepaint and glitter & neon glasses giveaways.

Please note: This is an alcohol free event, while the event takes place in a licenced venue, the bars will not be open.

BOOK YOUR SPACE

SU FRESHERS FAIR

FRI 4 OCT | 12:00-16:00 | SQUARES 2-5

Your one-stop destination to discover everything about sports & societies, volunteering, Rebel, and Communities!

Grab loads of awesome SU freebies and, of course, a FREE Dominos pizza!

Freshers Fair can be overwhelming for some students, especially those who are neurodiverse. That’s why we’re offering a Quiet Hour from 11:00 to 12:00 too.

ADD REMINDER TO YOUR CALENDAR

SU TOURS OF CAMPUS

Feeling lost? A bit overwhelmed? Wondering where to get the best coffee? Don't worry, everyone is feeling the same.

Join an SU Tour where you'll be shown key locations on campus. Most tours are general, but some are aimed at certain groups or areas... browse through below!

MEET PEOPLE AT MIXERS

What's a mixer? A place to meet people from your culture or community. These events are chilled vibes. We'll get some games out if you fancy that, or just grab a drink and get chatting.

CRAFTING WITH SU MAKES

Your chance to get creative - drop in whenever you're ready.

No materials, tools, or experience necessary – come along and make something meaningful, make friends, make a mess, and maybe even learn a new skill!

FULL LINE-UP OF EVENTS HERE

THE OFFICIAL FRESHERS FORTNIGHT

Ready to party? Sub Zero, your on-campus nightclub is waiting for you. Expect incredible parties, great DJs, special guests and unforgettable moments.

TERM 2 PASS
12th December 10am - 16th January noon
Sub Zero
Don't miss out on a steal!!!

OTHER NIGHT EVENTS

Looking for something more low-key than a club? Check out SU Bar & Top Bar events 👇

Recharge Sundays
29th September 4pm - 11pm
SU Bar
Relax with friends and recharge for the week ahead!
SU Bar
Speed Friending!
30th September 7pm - midnight
SU Bar
Want to make new friends on your first day? Head down to your on campus bar!
SU Bar | Society Event | Mixer
AFC Bournemouth v Southampton
30th September 8pm - 10pm
SU Bar
Sport | SU Bar
Cocktail Masterclass with Cam and Katie
1st October 5pm - 7pm
Top Bar
Learn how to make your favourite cocktails with our cocktail experts!
Top Bar
Freud standing on a balcony, two dogs lazing nearby Psychoanalysis Society Meet & Greet
1st October 6pm - 9pm
Top Bar
Want to unravel your mind while you unwind? Swing by Top Bar and get to know your fellow Psychoanalysis Society members before the fresher's rush.
Top Bar | Society Event | Welcome | welcome mixer
Drag Night!
1st October 9pm - midnight
SU Bar
A night you won't forget with our favourite Drag Queen 💅
SU Bar
Wine Wednesdays
2nd October noon - 11pm
Top Bar
Buy 2 large glasses and grab the rest of the bottle for free!
Top Bar
Cocktail Masterclass with Cam and Katie
2nd October 5pm - 7pm
Top Bar
Learn how to make your favourite cocktails with our cocktail experts!
Top Bar
Campus Karaoke
2nd October 9pm - midnight
SU Bar
Sing your heart out! 🎙
SU Bar
Cocktail Masterclass with Cam and Katie
3rd October 5pm - 7pm
Top Bar
Learn how to make your favourite cocktails with our cocktail experts!
Top Bar
International Mixer After Party!
3rd October 9pm - midnight
SU Bar
Party the night away with our resident DJ. Playing all the biggest tunes from around the globe! 🌎
SU Bar | Society Event | Cultural
Fizz Fridays!
4th October noon - 11pm
Top Bar
Want two extra glasses of prosecco for free? Just grab the bottle!
Top Bar
Latin Night!
4th October 9pm - midnight
SU Bar
Feel la vibra Latina
SU Bar | Society Event
Italian Society Takeover: Teenage Dream Party
5th October 9pm - midnight
SU Bar
Lets dance together to our favourite Disney and 2000's hits!
SU Bar
Recharge Sundays
6th October 4pm - 11pm
SU Bar
Relax with friends and recharge for the week ahead!
SU Bar
Mini Milk It!
7th October 9pm - midnight
SU Bar
Lets get cheesy!
SU Bar
Daytime Freshers Party
8th October 3pm - 7pm
SU Bar
Come and join us in the SU Bar for the daytime freshers party!
SU Bar | Welcome
Country Hoedown
8th October 9pm - midnight
SU Bar
Ye-HAW! Put your cowboy boots on and rodeo down!
SU Bar
The Debrief
9th October noon - 10th October midnight
SU Bar
Finish your match and head to the SU Bar for a cheeky pint 🍺
SU Bar
Wine Wednesdays
9th October noon - 11pm
Top Bar
Buy 2 large glasses and grab the rest of the bottle for free!
Top Bar
Music Bingo
10th October 7pm - 9:30pm
SU Bar
Dab the night away!
SU Bar
Rollover Quiz
10th October 7pm - 9pm
Top Bar
The only quiz where the prize pot gets bigger every week!
Top Bar
Fizz Fridays!
11th October noon - 11pm
Top Bar
Want two extra glasses of prosecco for free? Just grab the bottle!
Top Bar
Live Music Night
11th October 8pm - midnight
SU Bar
Discover a night of live performances!
SU Bar | Society Event
Black History Month Takeover!
12th October 9pm - midnight
SU Bar
Create your night - your way!
SU Bar