Freshers' Week and Refreshers' in Cambridge

Before you arrive

Your College, Faculty or Department sends you the information you need before you come, including College details such as accommodation, and course information. The University's student pages say you will also be emailed and asked to complete the Student Registration Exercise. You should only try to register after you receive that email invitation. [University of Cambridge (opens in a new tab)] [University of Cambridge (opens in a new tab)]

At the end of the Student Registration Exercise you collect your University IT account (formerly called Raven). Its username is your Cambridge User ID, or CRSid, and it gives you access to University email and many University websites. The account is not always ready straight away, so you may need to log back in the following day to collect it. [University of Cambridge (opens in a new tab)]

All undergraduates live in College accommodation for at least their first year, and a room is guaranteed if you accept a place. Colleges try to house most new postgraduates, but availability varies, so some postgraduates live in private accommodation. The University Accommodation Service helps where College accommodation is not possible or not practical. [University of Cambridge (opens in a new tab)]

Student committees in each College send welcome material too. Trinity Hall JCR, for example, says freshers' packs put together by its First Year Reps ('Freps') go out in September, once all places are confirmed, with more detailed instructions for the start of term. The same JCR says your college parent should get in touch before you arrive. [Trinity Hall (opens in a new tab)] [Trinity Hall (opens in a new tab)]

Cambridge SU's 'Get Ready' page has a packing list and a summer to-do list. It also explains that each College has at least one elected student committee, usually a JCR for undergraduates and an MCR for postgraduates. The University Library offers optional pre-arrival courses (CamGuides) for undergraduates, Master's and PhD students, and they stay open all year. [Cambridge SU (opens in a new tab)] [University of Cambridge (opens in a new tab)]

What Freshers' Week is

Officially, Michaelmas Term starts on 1 October, and induction activities begin around then for most students. Your College and/or Department will tell you when to arrive. When you get to Cambridge, go to your College first. Your course and College arrange induction events. [University of Cambridge (opens in a new tab)]

Cambridge SU explains that Cambridge weeks start on Thursday, so if you arrive at the weekend you have four days before lectures begin. Before lectures start you will meet your Director of Studies, who goes through your timetable and gives advice on starting work. In 2026–27, Michaelmas Full Term (the eight weeks of undergraduate teaching) began on Tuesday 6 October 2026. [Cambridge SU (opens in a new tab)] [University of Cambridge (opens in a new tab)]

Freshers' Week is run mainly by your College's student committee. Cambridge SU says that when you arrive, your JCR or MCR will send you a timetable of events in your College and around the University. It will mix nights out and nights in, with non-alcoholic options, and you do not have to go to anything you are not keen on. [Cambridge SU (opens in a new tab)]

One of the first things that happens is matriculation, your formal admission as a member of the University. The SU says it usually involves a group photo, a formal dinner and a ceremony where you sign an enrolment agreement, and you may need a gown. Undergraduates buy gowns from their College's supplier, and postgraduates can buy one from the SU Reception. Under University rules, you sign the Matriculation Registration Form, and a College cannot normally let an unmatriculated student stay resident after the midpoint of their first term. [Cambridge SU (opens in a new tab)] [University of Cambridge (opens in a new tab)]

Many Colleges pair each fresher with a 'college parent'. At Trinity Hall, every fresher gets one, usually a second-year student, ideally in the same or a related subject. The college parents cook a family meal for their freshers one evening during Freshers' Week. [Trinity Hall (opens in a new tab)]

Downing College's published Freshers' Week 2025 timetable (its MCR, postgraduate programme) shows a typical spread. It included College and Cambridge tours, meeting the committee, a 'Meet Your Family' evening, welcome talks, a matriculation ceremony and photo, a Freshers' Chapel Service, a matriculation dinner, punting, museum visits and bar nights. The same timetable marked the SU Freshers' Fair and the Sports Fair. Each College publishes its own programme, so check your College's JCR or MCR for this year's. [Downing College (opens in a new tab)]

Freshers' Fair, Sports Fair and College fairs

Cambridge SU's Freshers' Fair has society stalls, student performances, University departments and freebies from brands. It is open to all Cambridge students, new or returning, undergraduate or postgraduate. Entry is free and needs no ticket, but your University Card (Camcard) is scanned at the entrance. The SU page for the October 2026 fair gave 'Tues 6th - Weds 7th Oct', 10am–4pm, on Parker's Piece, with quieter access hours on each day. [Cambridge SU (opens in a new tab)]

University sports clubs have their own Sports Fair, run by Sport at Cambridge, where you can meet clubs, ask questions and sign up on the spot. Most clubs then run taster sessions at the start of term, and competitive clubs hold try-outs. [University Sport (opens in a new tab)]

Colleges also hold their own fairs for College societies and sports clubs. Christ's College, for example, says its student-run Freshers' Fair normally takes place in your first few days, before the larger University-wide SU fair. If you miss the fairs, the SU says you can still join clubs and societies afterwards through its online societies directory. [Christ's College (opens in a new tab)] [Cambridge SU (opens in a new tab)]

Refreshers' Fair in January

Cambridge SU lists the Refreshers' Fair among its own events, alongside the Freshers' Fair. It is a chance for societies to meet students and recruit new members, and the SU says there will be a variety of societies, sports clubs, and local and national businesses. [Cambridge SU (opens in a new tab)] [Cambridge SU (opens in a new tab)]

The SU's stall-booking page gives the date as Monday 18 January, 10am–4pm, at the University Centre. The terms and conditions linked from that page are headed 'Cambridge SU Refreshers' Fair 2027', so the fair is on Monday 18 January 2027. That is the day before Lent Full Term starts on Tuesday 19 January 2027. The first hour, 10am–11am, is an access hour with lower capacity and no music. [Cambridge SU (opens in a new tab)] [Cambridge SU (opens in a new tab)] [University of Cambridge (opens in a new tab)]

Societies book stalls through the SU shop, where the 2027 society stalls are £20 each across seven society categories. The SU's deadline for buying a stall is Friday 18 December, and stalls are sold first come, first served. Commercial bookings go through the SU's media partner, Native. [Cambridge SU (opens in a new tab)] [Cambridge SU (opens in a new tab)]

Welcome for postgraduates

Faculties, Departments and Colleges run induction sessions for most new students. Department sessions cover the course structure, facilities, who to contact if you have difficulties, and health and safety. For postgraduates they also point you to the Code of Practice. College sessions explain pastoral support and how to reach medical and counselling services, and they introduce new students to each other. [University of Cambridge (opens in a new tab)]

College MCRs run postgraduate freshers' programmes. At Peterhouse, a dedicated MCR First Year Representative coordinates Freshers' Week events in the first week of October. Peterhouse also says you must attend the College's matriculation ceremony in October to be admitted, and it had not yet confirmed the 2026 date. Downing's 2025 MCR timetable ran from the Friday arrival to the following Sunday and ended with a PhD students' mingling event. [peterhousemcr.co.uk (opens in a new tab)] [Downing College (opens in a new tab)]

The SU Freshers' Fair is open to postgraduates as well as undergraduates. Postgraduates can buy a matriculation gown from the SU Reception. [Cambridge SU (opens in a new tab)] [Cambridge SU (opens in a new tab)]

Settling in and getting support

Every student has a Director of Studies, who mainly looks after your academic work, and a Tutor, who supports your wellbeing, finances and accommodation. If you feel overwhelmed, Cambridge SU suggests talking to your Tutor or Director of Studies, your College Nurse or Wellbeing Advisor, or your JCR or MCR Welfare Officer. [Cambridge SU (opens in a new tab)] [Cambridge SU (opens in a new tab)]

Cambridge SU's Student Advice Service gives free, confidential and impartial advice to all students, undergraduate and postgraduate, from any College or course. It can help with anything from making friends to exams, intermission, welfare and money, and it offers support in person, by email, phone and video call. [Cambridge SU (opens in a new tab)]

The University Counselling Service offers free individual counselling for students on courses that need College membership. Postgraduates can also use the Student Wellbeing Service for help with low mood, stress, anxiety, procrastination and perfectionism. Neither is a crisis service, and both direct urgent cases to the University's crisis support page. [University of Cambridge (opens in a new tab)] [University of Cambridge (opens in a new tab)]

Homesickness is common. The SU says you should talk to your Tutor, and that the University Counselling Service has self-help resources and can offer professional support if it becomes more serious. The University's international students pages also say it can take time to settle in. Making friends takes different amounts of time for everyone, and the SU suggests asking your College Welfare Officer what events are on. [Cambridge SU (opens in a new tab)] [University of Cambridge (opens in a new tab)]

The University recommends registering with a local GP surgery when you arrive, and you can use the University's Dental Service. Your University Card is one of the first things you receive, and it is used for library borrowing, door access and buttery purchases. [University of Cambridge (opens in a new tab)]

Money and staying safe

Brands hand out free samples and freebies at the SU Freshers' Fair. The 2026 fair's 'Brand Avenue' listed gyms, food chains and bars among the companies attending. [Cambridge SU (opens in a new tab)] [Cambridge SU (opens in a new tab)]

Many students do not drink, and you should never feel you have to. The SU says it runs alcohol-free events throughout the year, and its Student Advice Service can help if you feel harassed or pressured. If you are looking after someone who is worryingly drunk, Trinity Hall JCR's advice is to put them in the recovery position and tell the porters' lodge so a porter can check on them. [Cambridge SU (opens in a new tab)] [Trinity Hall (opens in a new tab)]

Cambridge SU says spiking has long been a problem, particularly during Freshers' Weeks, and affects people of all genders. If you think you have seen a drink being spiked, report it to the venue straight away: bar staff, security, or porters if you are in a College. At a house party, tell the person whose drink it is, check they are okay and, if appropriate, tell the host. Spiking is never the victim's fault. [Cambridge SU (opens in a new tab)]

The University warns that fraudsters target students by pretending to be the University, Student Finance, UKVI or the police, creating false urgency and asking for personal details. Common scams include fake 'discounted' tuition or rent payments and accommodation listings for rooms that are not really available. Only pay the University or your College through their approved payment systems. If you suspect a scam, stop replying, do not send money or click links, and report it. [University of Cambridge (opens in a new tab)]