Welcome, Freshers 2026!
We're so excited to welcome you to Josephine Butler College and the Butler JCR family.
Freshers Guide: The Full Guide
Although the content below is for quick reference, you can find last year's freshers guide below: LAST YEAR'S Freshers Guide
A Welcome
Welcome to WOW (Welcome and Orientation Week), also known as Fresher's Week, your exciting introduction to life at Josephine Butler College and Durham University! This week is all about helping you settle in, meet new people, and get acquainted with everything college life has to offer before the academic term begins.
We have a team of FReps (Freshers Representatives), who you can be introduced to on pages 50 to 54 of the freshers guide! They are headed by two Head Freps:
Safira Ali
Hello hello hello !! I'm Safira (she/her), I am 3rd year Geophysics and I'm from Birmingham! I do a couple of roles around college (so apologies if you see my face a couple times), but I do also sit on the exec as the EDI Officer!
I can't wait to meet you all and have you start your college and uni journeys! I am super excited to welcome you into our college community and we have a pretty cool freshers week planned for you- we hope you enjoy!!
Chris Mullen
Hello! I'm Chris (He/Him), a third year Law student from Manchester and one of the Head Freps.
I'm welfare for running, president of both reading and Rounders and play on the football team as well as writing for the magazine and helping out our volunteering committee.
We have so much planned for freshers' week, and can't wait for you all to see it. Good luck for the coming year, and welcome to Butler! :)
Moving In
Your Freshers Week/ WOW Week kicks off with your designated move-in day. The college will be buzzing with energy as our dedicated yellow t-shirted Frep team welcomes you to your new home ! Freps are here to help you in any way! You can always ask them questions, ask for advice, help, whatever you need- we are here to make your transition into uni and living away as easy and smooth as possible, whilst ensuring the atmosphere is lively and welcoming
They'll be on hand to answer any questions, help with anything you need, and ensure that the atmosphere is lively and welcoming.
Prefer a quieter move-in? We offer a calm, quiet slot to suit your needs.
A Week Full of Excitement and Tradition
Once you've moved in, get ready for a week packed with activities designed to give you a true Josephine Butler welcome.
You'll participate in the Durham University Matriculation ceremony at the Cathedral, where you'll officially be registered as a university student.
We'll also host our own special college Matriculation where you'll have the opportunity to take photos around college and take part in our scavenger hunt!
Throughout the week, we'll host essential talks introducing you to key college figures and providing important information about living in college.
You'll also attend a JCR (Junior Common Room) meeting, where you can learn how the student body is run and even have a say in how the JCR operates.
Dive into College Life
In addition to mandatory events, the JCR will host a variety of Fresher's events to help you connect with your peers and discover what the college community has to offer.
Expect themed bar nights at JB's, arts and crafts sessions, sports tasters, movie nights, board games, Dungeons & Dragons, and so much more!
With such a diverse range of activities, there's something for everyone, so follow your interests and start making connections.
What Should I Bring?
Stay tuned on the instagram for more but.... Here's a quick checklist to help you settle in:
Bedroom Essentials
- Single bed sheets, duvet, pillows & covers
- Mattress protector & blanket
- Laundry basket, detergent & drying rack
- Clothes hangers & storage boxes - you can store things under the beds
- Note that a desk lamp and bin will be provided, and there are 6 power sockets in a bedroom.
Kitchenware
- Crockery, cutlery, mugs & glasses
- Chopping board, sharp knife & tin opener
- Frying pan, saucepan & baking tray
- Food storage containers
- Tea towels, sponges & washing-up liquid
Documents
- Passport or UK Driving/Provisional Licence (for registration)
- Bank card & any money (note that most college bars are card-only)
- Any visa documents (if applicable)
Health & Toiletries
- Any medication and prescriptions
- Toiletries bag: toothbrush, shampoo, soap
- Towels
Study Supplies
- Laptop & charger
- Notebooks, pens & folders
- Headphones
Clothing
- Everyday clothes & formal wear
- Raincoat or umbrella
- Sports kits, and fancy dress (black tie) items - there'll be themed events!
- Pyjamas, slippers
- Sturdy shoes (to tackle all the hills)
Extras
- Battery-powered fairy lights, photos & posters - to decorate your room to your liking !
- Reusable water bottle & coffee cup - they do come in handy, especially at Butler!
- Bike & helmet (if needed)
- Push pins for your pin board!
What's On?
There will be many things on every day, and every night. In addition to this, every night of Fresher's Week has its own theme, and fancy dress to fit it is 100% encouraged!
There may be additional events for early move-ins (due to being an international student) - keep up to date with the international committee on this at @butler_internationalcomm
Saturday, 26th September 2026
- Move-In Day & Gown Collections
- Mandatory College Talks 18:00-19:30
- JBs (our college bar) will be open
- International Committee is also holding an event in the bar this night- feel free to pop along and meet some of your cohort!
Sunday, 27th September 2026
- Move-In Day 2 & Gown Collections
- Mandatory College Talks 18:00-19:30
- JBs Theme: ButLAW and Order!!! Now that you're all here, let's kick off Freshers week with a classic whodunnit. Except it may be a who is it... perfect excuse to meet other new students !
- Bands, murder mystery, laser tag!! Mystery night !
Monday, 28th September 2026
- Mandatory College Talks in the morning
- Academic Department Sessions (end times will vary)
- Our first club night of the week- Babylon! Don't forget there are other opportunities to try it in Freshers week, but there is plenty going on...
- JBs Theme: Butler Colours, kicking uni off with a celebration of cover- I'm thinking a sea of yellow and red! Show your Butler spirit with any red and/or yellow!
- For tonights entertainment: Butler Colours night in the bar, with bingo and reading!
Tuesday, 29th September 2026
- Sports Fair for Durham University (at Maiden Castle)
- JBs Theme: Freshers Gone Wild (West)
- That's right! A Butler classic- a Western Night! We want to see all the denim, leather, cowboy hats you can get your hands on.
- We're talking mechanical bull, cactus ring toss, line dancing and a movie screening!
- And a popcorn machine because hey who doesn't like popcorn?
- (Seriously, find out!! Conversations can sprout from anywhere, we don't want any lone rangers!)
Wednesday, 30th September 2026
- The busiest day of the week!
- Starting off with a college breakfast/brunch,
- Individual Matriculation Photos (Gowned)
- Mandatory Durham University Matriculation at the Cathedral (Gowned)
- Societies Fair for Durham University (at Maiden Castle)
- For those who want to, we do also have ANOTHER club night- Loft! Hence....
- JBs Theme: Mamma Mia: Here We Go Again!
- A Greek dream, we're talking Greek food truck, Just Dance and Tote Bag Painting back at college!
Thursday, 1st October 2026
- Academic Department Sessions (end times vary)
- JBs Theme: Liar Liar... White lies night!
- White Tshirts, Black ink, white lies scribbled across, check instagram for some of our favourite examples!
- (can be amazing conversation starters- encouraged!!)
- Band, Table top games and E Sports in college but..
- Our third and final club night, this time in Klute!
Friday, 2nd October 2026
- Academic Department Sessions (end times vary)
- JBs Theme: Casino Royale!
- Join us for an espionage/black tie evening, complete with a band as well as jazz in the background of our very own bar, turned casino!
- Play the casino tables!
Saturday, 3rd October 2026
- Butler's in-college Sports and Societies Fair (until 16:00)
- JBs Theme: Saturday Night Fever!
- We're thinking disco. We're thinking funky. We're thinking 70s.
- Join us, our bands, our silent disco and a photobooth for the final night of Freshers Week!
Freshers Wristbands
To make the most of your Fresher's Week, be sure to purchase your Fresher's Week wristband!
This wristband grants you access to all JCR events, including bar nights with live music and entertainment, crafts, drop-in sessions, and free entry to all three of our club nights
Wristbands are available for GBP 20, if you are a JCR Member (because you paid the Levy) or GBP 25 if you did not decide to become a JCR Member. Read on to see what paying the Levy and becoming a member means!
Wristbands can purchased with a card at the Fresher's Week stand on Arrival Day OR online!
MEMBERS: Buy your Freshers Wristbands here
NON - MEMBERS: Buy your Freshers Wristbands here
JCR Levy
To become a JCR member, we operate a membership fee or levy which covers 3 years of your undergraduate degree.
Whether as one payment of GBP 168 at the beginning of your time here at college or split up into manageable termly instalments in your first year, the JCR Levy works so that you will be able to access great discounts on features such as sports, societies, or events, as well as other college-specific facilities such as the on-site gym and the JCR lounge.
On average, JCR members were able to save up to GBP 151 per year from discounts on our gym, our external Ball dinners and Butler Day whilst still being able to participate in sports or societies of their interest.
At the same time, your Levy payments mean that we can continue to run everything we have to offer here at such a high quality!
As an independent organisation, separate from the college and wider Durham student cohort, we rely on the contributions of our members and we make sure that those contributions are duly rewarded!
JCR members are integral to the college community here at Butler and we can't wait to show you what we have in store! Check the Instagram for more information!
- Levy: GBP 168.00 (for 2026/27 entry) - installments available
- Link: here
Keep checking our Instagrams for more details- don't forget to ask questions !!
After Freshers
Throughout the year, many events are out there, including formals (which includes themed ones, such as Halloween!), our Winter Ball & Summer Ball, and Butler Day.
We may also have more events throughout the year, such as festive celebrations from the international committee and EDI committee!
Click here to see a brief idea on what events we have in college!
Need Help?
- @josephine_butler_freshers_2026 has more information on Freshers Week events
- @butler.sabbs / butler.jcr@durham.ac.uk will connect you to our President & FACSO
- @butler_welfare / butler.welfarejcr@durham.ac.uk are our welfare team, if you need any other support throughout freshers week, or indeed, after
#GetInvolved
There are societies and sports at a university level, but our college also has some of its own localised societies, sports, and committees.
You will be able to access the intranet if you have already got a university email address and a CIS code (the abcd12 format code) to view more details, including contacts.
A snapshot is also available at the student groups page.