Your complete and essential guide to Uni of York’s Freshers’ Fair

Get ready for the free tote bags and Domino’s vouchers x

2 months ago | UPDATED 1 week ago

York’s Student Union is expecting 10,000 students at Freshers’ Fair on Saturday 21st September (very big number, but okay we’ll run with it). Every year, the fair spans across Campus West and has hundreds of stalls to explore, making it the most exciting event of the year for freshers.

Freshers’ Fair will open at 10am and pack up at 4pm, leaving plenty of time to get around and sign up to all the societies that you are interested in. Each society is organised by category and put into different buildings across Campus West, meaning if you want something in particular, you better read this guide.

It’s time to answer those burning questions…what societies will be there? Where can I find the sports clubs? And most importantly, when can I get my Domino’s voucher?

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Sports – Sports Centre Arena

Let’s start strong with the sports clubs. Sport and physical activity teams will be based in the Sports Centre, hosting 73 societies in the huge arena room at the back. Let’s have a little look at the type of thing you can find sports-wise.

York’s Dodgeball Club will be on stall four, right by the exit. They meet twice a week and welcome all abilities! Find their Instagram here @uniofyorkdodgeball
Are you a Troy Bolton in the making? The Basketball Club has three men’s teams and one women’s, as well as college varsity. They will be on stall nine and their Instagram is @uybc
On to my favourite PE lesson at school, hockey. York Hockey Club is one of the most popular at the uni, with seven teams and something for all abilities. Find them on stall 24, or @uyhc_official on Instagram!

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Football next! The women’s team will be on stall 33 and the men’s on 34. The women’s team won all three of their games at the last Roses tournament so definitely worth a try if you are into footie! You can find them at @uywafc and @uyafc for the men’s on Insta
Fancy having some fun after a long day? The Trampoline Club might be for you! York’s trampolining team welcomes all abilities and runs some pretty fun-looking socials. You’ll get to be trained by qualified coaches on great equipment too. Stall seven in the hall, @uoytrampolineclub on Instagram
Last but certainly not least, is the Swimming and Water Polo Club. They have a competitive swimming team as well as a range of different memberships to suit your choice. You can find them on stall 40 and @uyswc

Various societies – Sports Centre Main Hall

Next up is the various societies section. These are arguably the most fun and weirdest societies, meaning you’ll definitely have a laugh as you explore them. They’re also in the Sports Centre, but can be found in the Main Hall (the room right before the sports societies). There really is a society for everyone here, with all 70 being in the hall.

Pokémon Society, found on stall two

It wouldn’t be York without a Harry Potter society! HP Muggle Society meets every week to play games and discuss all things wizarding world. They even have a sorting ceremony at the beginning of the first semester, so get yourself along and find out if you are a Slytherin or Hufflepuff. Stall five, @hpmugglesocyork on Insta
If you are more agile than me, have a look at Roller Disco Society. They welcome all abilities and even have skates to hire in a range of sizes. You can roll over to stall 34 if you are interested.
Can you be found curled up on the sofa with a cup of tea watching GBBO? If so, Baking Society may be for you. Providing us with all the comfy vibes, the society runs a weekly baking competition where you submit your creation and the committee picks a winner. The winner gets a £5 voucher to a local bakery! Stall 19 and @uoybakingsoc on Instagram
This might be the best one of all, Hummus Appreciation Society. I’ll leave that one here. Get down to stall 30 if you love yourself some chickpeas, @yorkunihummus on Insta
Here’s a question… Mario or Luigi? Mario Kart Society is on stall 14, @mksocyork
Did you wait for six hours in a feather boa and a cowboy hat to see Harry Styles’ Love on Tour? Same. Styles Society is dedicated to all things Harry Styles and run a whole range of fun events. They are on stall 53 and are @uoystylessoc on Insta

Student partners and offers – Physics

In the Physics building, you will find the student partners and offers. These are basically just some big (and local) companies set up to give us students a load of free stuff. And of course, just outside is the big Domino’s van – you can’t miss it. Here is a small list of some of the things you can find in there.

Zaap Thai – stall three
York Roast Co – stall four
Bike Doctor – stalls 20 and 25
York Parties – stall 28
Backstreet Burgers – stall 29
Amazon – stall 31
Hollywood Bowl – stall 33

Music and performance

Central Hall will play host to the music and performance societies. A piece of advice – it’s normally very loud and busy in here so finish your conversations before you head in!

Comedy Society holds shows every week and does a whole range of comedy, including stand-up and panel shows. There are free workshops for you to attend too. They will be on stall three and are @yorkcomedysoc on Instagram
When in Central Hall, take a look behind you, and find Pantomime Society. They have three shows throughout the year and everyone who auditions gets a part. You can find them on stall 17, @yorkpantsoc
On stall 18, you can find the DJ Society. Known as Breakz, this society welcomes all with a passion for music and the industry. Give it a go and you could be the next Jason Riley! @breakzdjs on Instagram.

Politics and volunteering – Vanbrugh Dining Hall

In Vanbrugh Dining Hall you can find political societies, volunteering, and more societies.

Social Policy Society, found on stall 31

Shelter Support is on stall nine. They are a volunteering project which aims to tackle homelessness in York. They welcome everyone and partner with local charities. Find them on Instagram at @sheltersupportuoy
Social Policy Society can be found on stall 31. If you do a social science-based degree, it would be worth joining (I’m not just saying this because I happen to be the president, whoops). They run fun socials and academic events, @uoysocpoc on Instagram!
The Jane Austen Society will be on stall 40. They host film screenings and game nights dedicated to the novelist, @uoyaustensoc
Tipsygate Readers are one of the most popular societies on campus, and let’s be honest, why wouldn’t they be? Reading and drinking, sounds perfect to me. Members of the society pick the books and then it gets discussed at socials. You can find them on stall 37 and @thetipsygatereaders on Insta
Holding debates and talks, the York Dialectic Union has been one of the most talked about societies recently, as they managed to get Jeremy Corbyn to come to campus. They’re on stall 22 (without Jeremy) and @theyorkdu

Academic and educational – Roger Kirk Centre

The Roger Kirk Centre will be where you can find all of the academic and educational societies. Just head straight past the Costa, or get a coffee first.

Coming to York to do a medical degree? You’ll find the Medical Society on stall four. Actually, you don’t even have to be doing a medical degree to join! @yorkmedsoc
Computer Science has their own society too! Known as HackSoc, they run both socials and guest speaker talks! Find them on stall 18 and @HackSoc on Discord
Do you think a little too much about life? Philosophy Society is on stall 23 and ready to answer your burning questions. They hold lots of events which are mostly free for members too, @uoyphilsoc on Instagram
Love a bit of Formula 1 on a Sunday? Team Ferrari all the way. The Formula 1 Society is on stall 42, and they host watch parties and welcome all types of fans. Find them at @uoyf1soc

Media, arts and cultural – Spring Lane Building

Spring Lane will be filled with the media societies, as well as more artsy and creative hobbies.

University Radio York (URY) is the official student radio for the uni and has to be one of the coolest teams going. Fun fact – they are the oldest independent radio station in the UK! They will be on stall six, and you can find them on Instagram @uniradioyork
The Lemon Press is a satire publication that you can find dotted around campus. Of course, there is a freshers edition coming soon – ready to rip everyone to shreds. If you think this is up your street, you can find them on stall two, right by the front entrance. Their Insta is @thelemonpressyork
If you stay up till 3am judging celebrities on their MET Gala looks, you should give Fashion Society a go! They welcome all styles and are @yorfashionsoc on Instagram, sat at stall 20.
Sewing Society practices a super wholesome hobby to give you a bit of rest from studying. They’ll be on stall 23, but you’ll probably spot them stitching away from the other side of the room. @uoysewsoc on Instagram, welcoming all abilities!

Sadly, The York Tab don’t have a stall at Freshers’ Fair (shock horror), but you can still find us wandering around throughout the day. Our open meeting is next Monday 23rd September, so come and ask us any questions if you want to!

The extra bits

That’s not all! Around Campus West, there will be a load of fun things dotted around. Mostly, these will help you decorate your new room. Fill those pinboards!

You can find the Plant Sale near Greg’s Place. I went to this last year and my aloe vera is still thriving, even though I haven’t watered it in four months. Bargain for your money really.
The Vintage Fair will be in James Dining Hall, right next to the Costa. Feel like changing your style up for uni? Get yourself down there.
There is a scheduled Performance Area on Greg’s Place, probably host to the musical societies based in Central Hall.
YUZU Street Food will be outside the Physics building by James College. Yum.

There we have it, your simple guide to Freshers’ Fair. Even if you’re not interested in certain things, make sure to get around everywhere to just get a feel for the uni and student life here. Have fun and fill that tote bag with freebies!