University of Chichester students arriving at the Bognor Regis campus this month are being encouraged to dive into extracurricular life as the Students’ Union prepares to showcase more than 40 different clubs and societies.
Official Welcome Week events for the 2026/27 academic year are scheduled to begin on Friday 18 September. For many new arrivals, the highlight of the induction period will be the annual Freshers Fairs, where students can sign up for everything from sports teams to performance groups and academic interest circles.
The University of Chichester Students’ Union (UCSU) has confirmed that the Bognor Regis campus will host its own dedicated Freshers Fair on Thursday 24 September. The event will run from 11:00 to 14:00 at The Hub, the central social and activity space on the Upper Bognor Road site.
Students based in Bognor are also eligible to attend the Chichester campus fair, which takes place a day earlier on Wednesday 23 September. That event is scheduled for 10:00 to 15:00 at the Zee Bar.
The ‘Dos and Don’ts’ of Joining
Joining a society is often cited by graduates as a defining part of the university experience, offering a way to build a social network outside of halls of residence or lecture theatres. However, student leaders suggest a balanced approach to the recruitment period.
The primary advice for new students is to use the Freshers Fair to explore interests that may be entirely new. With over 40 organisations represented by the University of Chichester Students’ Union, options typically range from competitive athletics to niche hobbyist groups.
Do:
- Sign up for mailing lists: In the first week, there is no obligation to commit. Adding your name to a list allows you to receive information about ‘taster’ sessions.
- Consider the Bognor specialities: The Bognor Regis campus is well-known for its musical theatre and performance programmes. Societies related to the arts often have a strong presence here.
- Ask about costs: While many societies are free to join, some sports clubs or high-resource societies may require a membership fee to cover equipment, insurance, or travel to competitions.
Don’t:
- Over-commit: It is common for students to sign up for a dozen societies in the excitement of the first week, only to find their academic timetable cannot accommodate them all.
- Worry about going alone: Freshers Fairs are designed for individuals to meet new people. Most students attending the fair at The Hub will be in the same position.
- Feel restricted by campus: Even if a specific society meets primarily at the Chichester campus, Bognor-based students are usually encouraged to participate, provided they can manage the short travel between sites.
The Students’ Union operates as the central hub for these activities, ensuring that all groups meet safety and safeguarding standards. For those who find that a specific interest is not yet catered for, the union also provides a process for students to pitch and start their own new societies during the first term.
