Scottish University of the Year to welcome thousands of new students from around the world

Next week heralds the start of the new academic year and, with it, more than 3500 students from almost 90 countries will begin a new chapter of their lives at the University of Dundee.

City Square will be abuzz with excitement and anticipation on Monday, 5th September when the new crop of undergraduate and postgraduate students congregate there ahead of the traditional greeting in the Caird Hall.

Principal and Vice-Chancellor Professor Sir Pete Downes will welcome them to Scotland’s University of the Year at the first event to take place as part of Freshers Week 2016, a programme organised to ensure that starting life at Dundee is made as easy as possible for the new arrivals.

“I am delighted to welcome our new students to the University, whether they are from Dundee, elsewhere in Scotland, Europe and increasingly further afield,” said Professor Sir Pete.

“Freshers’ week marks the beginning of a new chapter of their lives, one that will bring them into contact with inspirational mentors and peers. They will meet some of the finest minds in their respective fields, begin lifelong friendships, and savour an unforgettable student experience made possible by the work of my colleagues and Scotland’s top students’ union, DUSA.”

Dundee was named Scottish University of the Year in the Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2016 and was recently ranked 8th in the UK in this year’s National Student Survey (NSS).

In other recent successes, the University ranked 1st in Scotland, 7th in the UK and 19th in the world for overall average satisfaction (International Student Barometer 2014).

Dundee University Students’ Association (DUSA), ranked top students’ union in Scotland and one of the very best in the UK in the NSS survey, will be paying host to top acts such as electro-house act Blonde, Radio One’s Nick Grimshaw, the X Factor’s Reggie ‘N’ Bollie and The Mariachis.

On top of this, DUSA will be holding various events across the week to promote the large number of extracurricular activities new and returning students can become involved with clubs, societies, sports, student media and campus politics.

DUSA President Indre Urbanaviciute said, “Freshers’ Week is a great time for new and returning students to meet and socialise with other students as well as get involved with all of the activities and services that the University and DUSA has to offer. Our message to the new students is to have fun, stay safe and most importantly embrace everything the week has to offer. Welcome to Dundee!”

A small army of staff, supported by student volunteers, are set to help the new arrivals settle in as they arrive in the city. New students can also access information through the Freshers Week 2016 website, which offers support and information on everything from study preparation and services on campus, to accommodation and local shopping.

http://www.dundee.ac.uk/welcome/

 


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