Freshers' week

Freshers' Week takes place every September to welcome our new students to GCU and this year runs from Monday 16 September to Friday, 20 September 2024.

Working in partnership with GCU Students’ Association, we have lots of exciting events and activities for you to get involved in.

This year’s theme is “Race to your Future with GCU” as we celebrate welcoming our new students onto campus and look forward to their exciting student journey at GCU.

Our Freshers' line-up is detailed below:

GCU Summer of Sport

Monday 16 and Tuesday 17 September

Main campus concourse

After a summer packed full of sport with Scotland featuring at the Euros and the Olympic Games taking place in Paris, we thought we'd continue the competitive vibes with GCU's offering of a summer of sport!

  • Brave our outdoor climbing wall
  • Can you Beat the Bleep in our buzz wire game
  • Test your strength with our High Striker
  • Show off your aim with our Hoopla Bootle game
  • Olympic podium photo opportunity
Celebrate your victory by getting a photo 'for the gram' at our custom-made GCU Olympic podium.

Freshers’ Market:

Monday 16 and Tuesday 17 September

Main campus concourse

Our Freshers’ Market stalls are back!

Freebies and giveaways galore from some of the top brands out there including Dominos and Smash Burger!

Freshers’ Fair

Monday 16 and Tuesday 17 September
The Arc

The GCU Students’ Association ‘Freshers’ Fair’ is your chance to meet all GCU’s sports clubs and societies. From Dungeons and Dragons to Dance, you’ll be sure to find something that suits your interests.

Meet an Olympian; Jack Carlin

Tuesday 17 September

Main campus concourse (12pm - 2pm)

Fresh from winning two Olympic medals at the Paris Olympics, track cyclist Jack Carlin will be on campus to meet students and show off his medals.

The four time Olympic medallist is one of Scotland's most successful Olympians and will be posing for photographs at our Olympic podium with students!

Totally Taylor (Taylor Swift Tribute Act)

Tuesday 17 September (7pm)
Re:Union Bar and Grill
Taylor Swift was the hottest ticket in town this summer so we're bringing Taylor to GCU - kind of!

Totally Taylor is the ultimate tribute show and will be performing a live set in Re:Union Bar and Grill.

Feeling the Summer blues? Shake it off with your new University Swifties and dance the evening away with the best tunes from the Taylor songbook!

Register for your free ticket 

Wonka Wednesday

Wednesday 18 September

Annie Lennox Building Foyer

The Glasgow Willy Wonka Experience made the news for all the wrong reasons at the start of 2024.

  • Step into the Unknown and join us for our very own version with GCU's Wonka Wednesday!
  • Marvel at our chocolate fountain
  • Meet Willy Wonka and his Oompa Loompas
  • Fill your boots with sweet treats including popcorn, candy floss, lollipops and doughnuts
  • Grab a photo at one of our Wonka themed displays
  • We promise there will be no quarter cups of lemonade and handful of jelly beans in sight!

Mini Golf

Wednesday 18 and Thursday 19 September

Main campus concourse

Our 9 hole mini golf course is the perfect way to unwind after the madness of day one and day two of Freshers' Week. Challenge your new classmates to a game - it's free for all GCU students!

We’ll also loads of other Freshers’ activities and freebies to help welcome you to our GCU community – we can’t wait to see you!

Watch our Freshers 2023 video to get a flavour of what Freshers’ Week is like at GCU.

To keep up to date with the latest Freshers' Week announcements connect with us on Instagram and Facebook.

Our Students’ Association are also hosting a range of events during Freshers’ Week including a quiz night, comedy show and bingo – check out their webpage for more information

Freshers experience

Have a look at our Freshers’ highlights video from 2023 to get a flavour of what to expect at Freshers’ week.