A guide to smashing Cardiff Uni Freshers’ Week

It’s time to conquer a year of being a silly fresh

3 months ago

You can breathe in a sigh of relief, you’ve chosen one of the UK’s most iconic Russell Group unis!

Freshers’ Week is one of the most significant experiences in a uni student’s life. Whilst meeting new friends can be both exciting and intimidating, there are plenty of opportunities for students to get involved in across Cardiff.

The uni and city itself has so much to offer, with one of the best students’ unions in the UK and a nightlife with venues for everyone. Whether you’re a singalong Live Lounge type or a raver who loves some DnB, you’re guaranteed to find something for you.

We’ve compiled some essential information before you get settled into your new Taly, Seng, or prospective Cardiff homes away from homes.

So strap yourself in for a lot of VK’s, the wonder that is a Wednesday night and a healthy dosage of Cardiff chaos.

Freshers’ wristbands

Now normally a freshers wristband has a reputation for being a bit of a con. But look no further. This year there’s a new wristband ticket that is a total game changer, both in terms of price and variety of venues for all you new freshers.

Running from 22nd September to 6th October, the wristbands give access to Cardiff’s most popular venues to bring you 35 amazing daytime and late night events.

The wristband is starting at five pounds, more information can be found here.

Day events

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Before lectures and seminars kick in, which I know you freshers will be avidly attending, make the most of free days to bond with new flatmates in some great value day events hosted by some of Cardiff’s biggest venues. Who would turn down a free game of mini golf?

Day events include a Proud Mary’s musical bingo, a free game of mini golf at GolfFang and free activities of bowling, pool or even an escape room with your new flatmates at Play At Pins.

Great for those looking for a drinking alternative social or alternatively offers a wholesome hungover bonding activity with new mates.

Night events

Your body clock during freshers’ is destined to be flipped on its head and with so many fun club night events on offer, it would be wrong not to take advantage of this.

Night events that you can access with the wristband include Heidi’s Hause Party and Heidi’s silent disco, Circuit Monday Special Guest (stay tuned for which guests are appearing), an ABBA party, Ski Monday and many more.

A Tab exclusive, Joey Essex will be appearing as a guest, how reem.

What’s great about the wristband is that if you’re new to the Cardiff nightlife scene, you won’t have to waste time debating where to go out. Simply see what events are on offer each night and the decision is made for you!

SU events

Cardiff’s SU really is the best. It houses the Y Plas nightclub, that puts on the biggest and best Wednesday nights out as well as lots of other themed nights and music events. Also, be sure to stop by The Taf in the SU, especially on Fridays for half price drinks.

According to Whatuni, Cardiff University holds the position of second best SU in the UK 2024 rankings so it would be silly not experience it, and no one wants to be a silly fresh, do they?

In Freshers’ Week, the SU are hosting a Silent Disco on the 19th September, a foam party on the 20th (both in The Great Hall), and a queer-focused Freshers’ launch night which takes place on the 20th September at The Lodge.

It doesn’t stop there, for any Swifties, there is a Taylor Swift night and even a Harry Styles night the following week as well as a Big Freshers’ Ice Breaker, Bingo Lingo and a UV jungle party.

To book tickets head to either the Cardiff Students’ Union website or app (which I recommend getting asap).

Join a social

Every Wednesday night, Cardiff’s SU holds the week’s biggest night out for Cardiff University students, YOLO. I strongly recommend you join a sports social, with chances to play matches for your desired sport or even attend as a social member which means still getting in on the society and SU action.

Attend the Freshers’ Fair for the all the information and the chance to discover the hundreds of different societies that the uni has on offer. From rugby to Taylor Swift, or American football to student radio. You name it, the Cardiff SU’s got it.