Induction Week

Monday 16 to Friday 20 September 2024

Induction Week is the first week of the first semester for new students and is designed to help you settle in and adjust to university life. You'll sometimes hear Induction Week called Freshers' Week. These two terms mean the same thing, but we tend to use 'Induction Week' at Oxford Brookes University.

You will have your own course induction schedule to follow, plus the option to attend general University-wide events. As well as formal sessions to attend, you will find plenty of drop-in sessions and helpdesks available in-person and online if you have any questions or worries.

What happens during Induction Week?

Your course induction

The most important part of Induction Week is the schedule of events that your faculty team puts together for you, known as your course induction. This will take place at the campus where most of your teaching occurs. Your course induction schedule is designed to introduce you to your academic team and the facilities and learning platforms you'll be using while you study here. It will help you understand what life as a student on your chosen course will be like.

Your course induction is compulsory so it should be your top priority.

University events open to all

Around your course induction events, you can use your free time to attend other events open to all students. Our events calendar will list what's on each day - it's up to you to choose what interests you. You can expect to see events like academic workshops, tours and talks, sessions for international students and social events.

If you are interested in sports, make sure to attend the Sports Fair on Wednesday 18 September 2024 where you can meet the teams and clubs at Oxford Brookes.

The biggest event of the week will be the Freshers' Fair on Friday 20 September 2024 when lots of the University societies come together on the Headington Campus. Don't miss it - you might find a society which interests you!

Online enrolment

Online enrolment opens on Monday 2 September 2024 so you might have already completed your online enrolment by the time Induction Week starts. Once you are enrolled, you will gain access to University study platforms and you may well need to use some of these during your course induction. You'll also get access to your Oxford Brookes emails which your academic team might already have used to contact you. Check these pages again from Wednesday 14 August when there will be more information about online enrolment.

The Student Induction Team is more than happy to chat to new students about enrolment and help with any issues.

The Student Induction Team

To help you get ready for your Induction Week and settle into Oxford Brookes, our Student Induction Team will be available at the Reception for New Students on the Headington Campus. We will also have our Zoom room and phone line available to answer any questions you may have about starting at Oxford Brookes and make sure you get the support you need.

Our services open on Monday 9 September 2024 and will stay open through Induction Week and the first few weeks of semester. You are more than welcome to come to us with any questions.

Induction FAQs

What kind of activities might be on my course induction schedule?

Typical topics covered in a course induction schedule might include:

meeting your academic team
what to expect from your studies
a guide to the learning platforms you will use
information about choosing your optional modules, if relevant
introductions to University services such as the Library or the Brookes Union
introductions to accrediting or regulatory bodies such as the Royal College of Nursing for Healthcare courses.

Your schedule might also include optional sessions which you can choose to attend if you have any questions.

Will I have course induction activities every day of Induction Week?

This varies between courses and faculties. Some may have activities every day of the week, while others may schedule their activities over just one or two days. Most schedules will leave you some free time. You can decide how busy you would like to be during this free time.

Where will my course induction take place?

Most courses will have on-campus inductions at the same campus where the majority of their teaching takes place. On your schedule, each event will include the location, like this:

JHB201, John Henry Brookes Building, Headington Campus
or
MRG.41, Jane Ashley Lecture Theatre, Main Building, Marston Road Site

If you aren't sure where to find the room and building, you can contact the Student Induction Team or speak to any campus reception. Make sure you arrive with plenty of time before your session starts.

Many induction schedules also include some online events which might be live Zoom sessions or pre-recorded talks or videos to watch.

Which course induction does a Joint Honours student follow?

Joint Honours students study two subjects, each of which will have its own course induction schedule. You won't be able to follow two full schedules at the same time, so instead please choose one of the two as your main schedule and attend all the events on that one as your priority.

You will need to attend the Subject Meeting for both of your subjects. Your courses will both offer the Subject Meeting on their schedules twice, so that you can attend one of each.

Please contact the Student Induction Team with any queries about your Joint Honours induction.

Should part-time students attend a course induction?

Part-time degree students are welcome to join the appropriate induction for their course/module. Please note it is not compulsory for you to attend these induction events as we appreciate some part-time students have other commitments. Some part-time students studying in Healthcare will have an induction as part of their first teaching session and your course will be in contact with you about this.

Do exchange students have a course induction schedule?

All exchange students will be invited to a welcome session and a drop-in session during Induction Week. If most of your chosen modules are Business School subjects, you will also be asked to attend some Business School induction sessions.

We will also offer you some suggestions of general University activities which you might like to attend.

If you have any queries, please contact the Global Engagement Team at studyabroad@brookes.ac.uk.

Will my course induction be at Oxford Brookes if I am an Associate College Partnership student?

If you are studying on one of the courses listed below, your induction will be at Oxford Brookes:

Animal Behaviour and Welfare Top-up - BSc (Abingdon and Witney College)
Animal Therapy and Rehabilitation - FdSc (Abingdon and Witney College)
Equine Science - BSc (Abingdon and Witney College)

If your course is not listed above, your induction will be at your college. If you would like to know more, please contact acpstudent@brookes.ac.uk.

Find out more about Associate College Partnerships.

Please note: if you are studying at one of our partner colleges, you will need to complete enrolment with both Oxford Brookes (online) and with your college.

What happens if I miss my course induction?

Your course induction is very important and we strongly recommend you attend. It will cover important information to prepare you for when your studies begin. If you do arrive late, please contact us and/or your faculty team so that we can ensure you catch up with anything you've missed.

If you are an international student travelling to the UK and something happens which delays your travel, please inform the International Student Advice Team (ISAT) as soon as possible and tell us when you expect to arrive.

When will I find out more?

Check back here from Wednesday 14 August 2024 as these webpages will be updated with more information about online enrolment and your new student checklist.

Most course induction schedules will be available on Monday 2 September 2024. If your course induction starts early, your schedule will be available earlier as well. Read more about early inductions.