Fresher’s Week Timetable 2026
Fresher’s Week Timetable 2026
Fresher’s week begins on the 23rd September 2026, and is organised by the JCR and MCR and their FREPs! The week offers lots activities, events and talks to welcome you into both the University and the College and to make you feel at home. All activities are complimentary with your MCR membership.
Please note that all activities are subject to change as of the date of publication (28 Sep 26).
Wednesday 23rd September
| Time | Activity | Location | Notes |
| All Day | Freps help with moving-in | Mary’s | |
| 12:00 – 13:00 | Lunch (for livers-in) | Dining Hall | |
| 12:00 – 14:00 | Gown Collection 1 | Reading Room | Please pre-book here. |
| 14:30 – 16:30 | Guided Tour & Colour Photo Scavenger Hunt | Mary’s | |
| 17:30 – 19:00 | Dinner (for livers-in) | Dining Hall | |
| 20:00 – 22:30 | Welcome Film Night | MCR |
Thursday 24th September
| Time | Activity | Location | Notes |
| All Day | Freps help with moving-in | Mary’s | |
| 08:00 – 09:00 | Breakfast (for livers-in) | Dining Hall | |
| 12:00 – 13:00 | Lunch (for livers-in) | Dining Hall | |
| 12:00 – 12:30 | Gown Collection 2 | Reading Room | Please pre-book here. |
| 17:30 – 18:15 | Dinner (for livers-in) | Dining Hall | |
| 19:00 – 21:00 | Escape Rooms | Escape Rooms Durham | Please pre-book here. |
Friday 25th September
| Time | Activity | Location | Notes |
| All Day | Freps help with moving-in | Mary’s | |
| 08:00 – 09:00 | Breakfast (for livers-in) | Dining Hall | |
| 09:15 – 11:30 | International Induction | Teaching and Learning Centre (TLC) | Compulsory for international students. |
| 12:00 – 13:00 | Lunch (for livers-in) | Dining Hall | |
| 12:00 – 13:00 | Gown Collection 3 | Reading Room | Please pre-book here. |
| 14:00 – 17:00 | Coffee Trip | Cafédral Durham | Please pre-book here. |
| 18:00 – 21:00 | PG Welcome Formal | Dining Hall | Entry at 18:30 and start at 19:00. Dress Code: Formal or smart attire with academic gowns. This may include a dress, trousers, skirt, suit, or any other attire you feel comfortable wearing to a formal occasion. |
Saturday 26th September
| Time | Activity | Location | Notes |
| All Day | Freps help with moving-in | Mary’s | |
| 08:00 – 09:00 | Breakfast (for livers-in) | Dining Hall | |
| 08:30 – 10:00 | Parkrun/walk | Outside Ferguson & Maiden Castle (MC) | Register for a Parkrun profile here (optional). Meet outside Ferguson. Walk down at 08:30. |
| 12:00 – 13:00 | Brunch (for livers-in) | Dining Hall | |
| 17:30 – 18:15 | Dinner (for livers-in) | Dining Hall | |
| 19:00 – 21:00 | Painting Session | Art Room |
Sunday 27th September
| Time | Activity | Location | Notes |
| All Day | Freps help with moving-in | Mary’s | |
| 08:00 – 09:00 | Breakfast (for livers-in) | Dining Hall | |
| 12:00 – 13:00 | Brunch (for livers-in) | Dining Hall | |
| 16:00 – 18:00 | Pennant Decorating | Art Room | |
| 17:30 – 19:00 | Dinner (for livers-in) | Dining Hall |
Monday 28th September
| Time | Activity | Location | Notes |
| 08:00 – 09:00 | Breakfast (for livers-in) | Dining Hall | |
| 09:00 – 12:00 | PGR Department Induction | Department | Check details with your Department |
| 12:30 – 13:30 | Lunch (for livers-in) | Dining Hall | |
| 14:00 – 17:00 | PGT Department Inductions | Department | Check details with your Department. |
| 17:30 – 19:00 | Dinner (for livers-in) | Dining Hall | |
| 19:00 – 22:00 | An evening well red (gaming & reading night) | MCR | Snacks provided |
Tuesday 29th September
| Time | Activity | Location | Notes |
| 08:00 – 09:00 | Breakfast (for livers-in) | Dining Hall | |
| 09:00 – 10:00 | Gown Collection 4 | Reading Room | Please pre-book here. This will be the FINAL gown collection. |
| 10:30 – 12:00 | MCR Matriculation Photo | Outside Fergusson | Dress Code: Same as the formal event with academic gowns. Punctuality: Please arrive by 10:30 am. Unfortunately, anyone arriving after 10:30 am will not be able to be included in the matriculation photograph. |
| 11:45 – 13:00 | Brunch (for livers-in) | Dining Hall | |
| 13:30 – 17:30 | Matriculation | Outside Fergusson; Durham Cathedral | Dress Code: Same as the formal event with academic gowns. High heels are strongly discouraged, as the cobblestone pavement are uneven and could increase the risk of twisting an ankle. |
| 17:30 – 19:00 | Dinner (for livers-in) | Dining Hall | |
| 17:00 – 18:00 | Rainbow Assassins Starts | MCR |
Wednesday 30th September
| Time | Activity | Location | Notes |
| 08:00 – 09:00 | Breakfast (for livers-in) | Dining Hall | |
| 10:00 – 12:00 | Q&A with MCR exec | MCR | |
| 12:30 – 13:30 | Lunch (for livers-in) | Dining Hall | |
| 14:00 – 17:00 | Library and Collections drop-in Welcome Fair | Bill Bryson Library | |
| 16:00 – 17:30 | Early Takeaway Dinner D1 (for livers-in) | Dining Hall & MCR | Please bring your own container for takeaway. You are welcome to enjoy your early dinner with others at the MCR. |
| 20:00 – 21:00 | Rainbow Assassins closure | MCR |
Thursday 1st October
| Time | Activity | Location | Notes |
| 08:00 – 10:00 | Breakfast (for livers-in) | Dining Hall | |
| 09:00 – 12:00 | PGT Department Inductions | Department | Check details with your Department. |
| 09:00 – 12:00 | PGR University Inductions | – | Check details with your Department. |
| 12:00 – 13:30 | Lunch (for livers-in) | Dining Hall | |
| 14:00 – 17:00 | PGT Department Inductions | Department | Check details with your Department. |
| 16:00 – 17:30 | Early Takeaway Dinner D2 (for livers-in) | Dining Hall & MCR | Please bring your own container for takeaway. You are welcome to enjoy your early dinner with others at the MCR. |
| 20:00 – 21:00 | Kahoot Game | Online & MCR | Please check WhatsApp & Instagram Stories for the Kahoot link. |
Friday 2nd October
| Time | Activity | Location | Notes |
| 08:00 – 10:00 | Breakfast (for livers-in) | Dining Hall | |
| 09:00 – 12:00 | PGT Department Inductions | Department | Check details with your Department. |
| 12:00 – 13:30 | Lunch (for livers-in) | Dining Hall | |
| 14:00 – 17:00 | PGT Department Inductions | Department | Check details with your Department. |
| 17:30 – 19:00 | Dinner (for livers-in) | Dining Hall | |
| 20:00 – 22:30 | Bowling Night | Lane7 Durham | Please bring your ID (driving license or passport) for entry. Please pre-book here. |
Saturday 3rd October
| Time | Activity | Location | Notes |
| 08:00 – 10:00 | Breakfast (for livers-in) | Dining Hall | |
| 08:30 – 10:00 | Parkrun/walk | Outside Fergusson & Maiden Castle (MC) | Register for a Parkrun profile here (optional). Meet outside Fergusson. Walk down at 08:30. |
| 10:00 – 12:30 | Mary’s Fresher’s Fair | Dining Hall & Kenworthy | |
| 12:00 – 13:30 | Brunch (for livers-in) | Dining Hall | |
| 17:30 – 19:00 | Dinner (for livers-in) | Dining Hall | |
| 22:00-2:00am | GlastonMary’s | Dining Hall & Kenworthy |
Sunday 4th October
| Time | Activity | Location | Notes |
| 08:00 – 10:00 | Breakfast (for livers-in) | Dining Hall | |
| 12:00 – 13:30 | Brunch (for livers-in) | Dining Hall | |
| 14:00 – 17:00 | Rainbow Roundup | MCR | |
| 14:30 – 17:00 | Ultimate Frisbee Taster with SMUF | Outside Fergusson & Whinney Hill | Meet outside Fergusson. Walk down at 14:30. |
| 17:30 – 19:00 | Dinner (for livers-in) | Dining Hall | |
| 20:00 – 20:30 | Practice MCR Meeting | MCR |