A quick guide to Welcome Week

Whether you’re brand new to Imperial or in the final year of your PhD, it’s your chance to meet new people, explore campus, and make some memories straight away.

We’ll be getting started on Friday, 26 September, with the Postgrad Party — a full union takeover dedicated to postgrads, with live tribute acts (and yes, you can dance, you can jive), DJs across the bars, and drink specials all night. The fun keeps rolling through the weekend with our mixers: undergrads can head to the Beit bars to meet hallmates over drinks (or even a bit of karaoke), while postgrads get their own dedicated evening at Reynolds on our Charing Cross Hospital campus.

Monday keeps things moving with Market Day, where Beit Quad fills with sustainable fashion, homeware, prints and more. It’s the perfect excuse for some guilt-free retail therapy, and the bars will be open if you fancy a drink while you browse. Then, once the sun sets, we’re taking over HERE at Outernet for the biggest party of Welcome Week! Dance alongside almost twothousand Imperial students with a top-of-the-range sound system, unreal screens and lighting, and drink deals to keep the night flowing.

The middle of the week belongs to our legendary Welcome Fair, running on Tuesday and Wednesday. Hundreds of our clubs and societies will be out in full force to meet you and show off what they do, from sports to recreation and the arts. Discover the incredible range of talent, skills and activities that our groups have to offer — and the best part is that they’re all recruiting! The evenings don’t slow down either: Tuesday brings a full Jungle-themed takeover of Beit (animal print at the ready), raising awareness for the amazing Rainforest Trust, while Wednesday delivers the classic energy of Wednesday at Beit, Imperial’s biggest weekly social.

On Thursday we switch gears with the International Gathering in the afternoon — food, games, henna and activities from across the world — followed by something completely different in the evening. How to Flirt: The Ted XXX Talk is a drag king comedy show fresh from Edinburgh Fringe: sharp, hilarious, and unlike anything else you’ll see all week.

And, for a final Welcome extravaganza, join us on Saturday evening for the Union House Party. The Beit Building will be transformed as we take over every floor for you to explore. Make your way around our house and find live performances from bands and DJs, immersive experiences, and maybe even a new best friend? And yes, the rumours are true. There’ll be pizza to keep you fuelled on the dance floor.

Welcome Week is the highlight of my year, and I’ll definitely be attending the Postgrad Party, Ted XXX Talk, and of course our two-day Welcome Fair. If you see me around, come say hi, or drop me an email at dpactivities@imperial.ac.uk. Let’s make this Welcome Week — and the year as a whole — one to remember!