Across nine days, Edinburgh Napier Students Association hosted 44 events, welcomed over 4,800 attendees, and brought Edinburgh Napier’s campuses to life with activities designed to help every student feel part of something from day one. 

A Welcome for Everyone 

This year, we really put an effort in to plan something for everyone and put inclusion at the heart of our planning. From ensuring events were accessible to creating spaces where every student could find their place, whether they were fresh out of school, returning to study, or joining us from across the world. 

Over half of all events were alcohol-free, giving under-18s and those who prefer not to drink plenty of ways to get involved. Almost 82% of events were open to under-18s including the Welcome Party, and almost 64% were free to attend. From the International Picnic and various speed friending sessions to creative workshops like Paint & Picnic and Sip & Paint, there were dozens of relaxed, social activities designed for connection without pressure. 

We also focused on representation across different groups, with two LGBTQ+ focused events, two postgrad-only events, multiple international events, and a first years-only event. Although all events (except the 18+ ones) were open to students from all years! 

You can view the whole programme here. 

Big Events, Bigger Energy 

Our biggest hit of the week was the Welcome Fair, which filled the Corn Exchange with 142 stalls and almost 2,000 attendees. Shuttle buses ran between campuses and student accommodations to make it easy for everyone to attend, and the space buzzed with excitement as students explored societies, sports clubs, local organisations, and freebies. 

Evenings brought unforgettable moments, too. The 2007-themed Welcome Party packed out Hangar 5 at Potterrow with over 900 tickets sold, and the Pub Crawl connected hundreds of students across Edinburgh and allowed students to explore Cowgate and Grassmarkets best bars.  

pictured: Welcome Fair from above

Student-Led 

This year’s Welcome Week was powered by our dedicated events team Zsuzsanna (Head of Events), Sadie (Welcome Week Intern), and Emily (Events Intern), with help from the whole ENSA staff team and a group of 13 student volunteers. 

pictured: (left to right) Sadie, Zsuzsanna and Emily at Welcome Fest

pictured: ENSA Staff at Welcome Fest

Sadie’s role was new this year, and she massively helped streamline this Welcome Week, as well as bring new ideas to the programme and make sure there was something for everyone! 

For example, the Culture Crawl was the event idea she pitched at her interview, which became a sold-out event around Edinburgh’s museums and galleries. 

We also recruited Scott, who planned 2 LGBTQ+ events, and 12 student volunteers who helped run events and the ENSA info stalls in the foyers throughout the week. 

pictured: volunteers Jennifer and Emma at puppy yoga

New Ideas 

The Culture Crawl wasn’t the only new event idea we tried. An evening at Book Lovers, a Coffee Trail around Edinburgh, a Traitors game, as well as a postgrad brunch were all new concepts we tried. What did you think of them? 

Behind The Scenes Photos

Welcome Week is always a huge effort from the entire staff team, and takes up ALL of the office space. Take a look at us preparing for each event:

pictured: Emily and Susan organising welcome week supplies in the ENSA office

pictured: Emily and Zsuzsanna after prepping welcome week supplies

pictured: Emily on the way to Drag Sip & Paint

By the Numbers 

• 4,810 total attendees across all events 
• 57% non-alcohol events 
• 82% events open to under-18s 
• 64% free entry  
• 44 events across 9 days 
• £3,265.32 profit (after booking fees) reinvested into improving the student experience to fund year-round events, sports, societies, volunteer development and more 
• Free shuttle buses linking campuses and accommodation to the Welcome Fair 
• 142 exhibitors at the Welcome Fair 

pictured: Drag Sip & Paint

What’s Next?

Following Welcome Week, we ran Settle-In Week, shifting focus to practical support and wellbeing with sessions on budgeting, job hunting, and managing life at university. We also had Google Gemini on campus! It was a chance for students to catch their breath, build confidence, and find their rhythm at Napier. 

pictured: Marianne and Hannah at the 'Managing your money at uni' event

pictured: Google Gemini pop up at Merchiston Campus

A huge thank you goes out to every student, volunteer, and partner who made this year’s Welcome Week such a success. Whether you were dancing at the party, crafting at a picnic, or helping a new student find their way, you helped make Napier feel like home. 

pictured: Zsuzsanna and Emily at Welcome Fair