A film festival, a science takeover, live celebrity DJs and an award winning stand-up comedian are among the raft of activities taking place across the city next week to welcome new and returning students to Robert Gordon University (RGU).
More than 2000 new students will enjoy a jam packed Freshers’ Week which has been organised by RGU’s Students’ Union (RGU:Union) to help the new cohort settle into university life before starting their first year of studies.
Providing a taster for the week will be a Freshers’ Week warm up appearance by 90s pop legends S Club who will perform some of their greatest hits on stage at The Garage on Wednesday, September 16.
Among the headliners of this year’s Freshers’ Week is Scottish rock band Model Aeroplanes who will kick off the week-long event with a performance at the Tunnels on Monday, September 21.
A live stand-up by award winning comedian, Matt Richardson, is also set to be one of the highlights of the week as the ITV2’s Xtra Factor host and Never Mind The Buzzcocks guest performs at the Vue Aberdeen on Wednesday, September 23.
New students will also get the chance to explore the world of science with a student takeover event at Satrosphere Science Centre which will feature science shows and exhibitions on Thursday, September 24.
Film will also feature throughout the week with the RGU Freshers Film Festival which offers exclusive free screenings for students at the Vue Aberdeen.
Edward Pollock, RGU’s Student President for Communication and Democracy, says: “We are extremely excited for this year’s line-up. A lot of planning has gone into Freshers’ Week to ensure it’s filled with a variety of events which range from music to science and to comedy so that there is something to suit everyone.
“Freshers’ Week is not just about exploring the city’s nightlife, it’s about settling into halls, making new friends and being introduced to university life. It’s our job at the Students’ Union to ensure the new students, some of whom have left home for the first time, feel supported and comfortable in their new environment.
“It is a very special time for the thousands of first time students who have been waiting all summer to start university life so we want to ensure we give them a welcome to remember.”
Among the other events taking place throughout the week is the annual Freshers’ Fayre, which attracts a huge audience of new students looking to bag a free giveaway from the many retailers, bars, banks, shops, clubs and societies which will be present at RGU Sport on Thursday, September 24.
The week will also feature a host of global DJs taking to the stage at RGU:Union’s partner nightclub, The Garage, including BBC Radio 1’s Dev DJ’s From Mars, and Dutch duo Pep and Rash.
A number of theme nights, including Harry Potter and Jungle Book parties, sit alongside a silent disco and a beach holiday giveaway to complete the 2015 line-up.
Other events include an open mic night, a RGU Freshers fling ceilidh, local live music showcase, a sports day and a city-wide BBQ student halls tour by RGU: RAG (Raising and Giving), the fundraising arm of RGU’s Students’ Union.
The full line up for the week, which runs from Saturday, September 19 to Sunday, September 27, is available at www.rguunion.co.uk