faq

Featuring an events programme packed full of exciting and engaging experiences, Welcome 2026 is your introduction to the Students' Union and everything we have to offer. Think of it as our welcome package to help kickstart your university experience, meet new people, and have loads of fun.

Welcome 2026 is the Students' Union's contribution to the overall Welcome Week organised by the University. Make sure you download the Welcome to Royal Holloway app to find out about all the events being hosted by the University.

Every student at Royal Holloway is automatically enrolled as a member of the Students' Union, granting you access to all of our services. If you don't wish to become a member, you can opt out by ticking a box during enrolment with the University.

You can find out about virtual events by downloading the Welcome to Royal Holloway app.

Bundles go on sale in three stages: Friday 21 August, freshers get first dibs on bundles. Monday 24 August, bundles go live for everyone. Friday 28 August, individual tickets drop.

If you want to attend our headline events at The Venue, buying a bundle is the only way to guarantee your entry. We'll have a limited supply of individual tickets if you'd rather pick and choose. Even without a bundle, there are still loads of events to attend at The Packhorse, as well as our Give It A Go programme.

6 nights for £30 (down from £36): Quackers Goes to Freshers, Quackers Goes to A&E, Quackers Goes on Safari, Quackers Goes to Space, Quackers Goes to CIYK vs CIYS, and Quackers Gets Spooky.

6 nights for £34 (down from £40): Y2K, House Party, 80s 90s 00s, Flawless ft. TBC, IYKYK, and Fetish Friday Angels and Demons.

24 nights for £150 (down from £179), covering every event from both the Midweek Madness and TGIF bundles, plus: Big Move In Party, VK Party, Desi Night, Traffic Light Party, Queer Night, Band Night (TBC), Bingo Lingo, Reggaeton, Freshers Ball, Toast, Offline, and Afrobeats.

No, bundles don't need collecting, they're linked straight to your account once purchased and act as your entry.

Midweek Madness: £30 (was £36). TGIF: £34 (was £40). No Days Off: £150 (was £179).

Bundles and online tickets guarantee you entry into the event before 11pm.

There will be a limited number of tickets available on the door for all events at The Venue. Please note, there are no tickets available on the door for Freshers' Ball.

Yes, guest tickets are available for events. Guests can be either Royal Holloway students or friends/family from home.

You'll need your Student ID Card with you when you attend Students' Union events. We know Student ID Cards can take time to arrive at the start of term, so during the first couple of weeks we'll accept alternatives that prove your student status, such as your Campus Connect Profile Page, or an official Royal Holloway letter showing your Student ID Number and full name. You'll also need photographic proof of age (driving licence, passport, PASS card).

All tickets and bundles purchased online are automatically assigned to your personal account, no physical collection needed. Just bring your Student ID Card with you to the event.

It's cheaper to purchase tickets in advance (and that's the only way to guarantee entry), but a limited number of tickets will be available on the door for events at The Venue. There are no tickets available on the door for Freshers' Ball.

Tickets are non-transferable and cannot be sold on. Any student selling or attempting to sell a ticket above face value will be subject to disciplinary action and risk being banned from Students' Union premises and activities, in line with our Code of Conduct.

All sales are final, and refunds aren't available on tickets once purchased (including duplicates, purchases made in error, tickets bought for the wrong event, or non-attendance due to personal choice, illness, or injury). Further details can be found in our Purchasing T&Cs.

As a registered charity and non-profit organisation, any surplus made from Welcome 2026 (ticket fees, memberships, etc.) goes straight back into improving your experience as a student, whether that's improving existing facilities or booking a great act for one of our events.

If you've already got your student login details but are still experiencing issues, try our login guide. If you're still stuck, email marketing@su.rhul.ac.uk with your student number and the error message you've encountered.

As your Students' Union, we're keen to promote equality of opportunity for people with disabilities and to take the necessary steps to meet their requirements, that's why we've ensured everything we do is accessible to as many of you as possible. You can find out more on our Accessibility page.

The Students' Union takes a zero-tolerance approach to spiking and works closely with the University and Police to push for prosecution wherever possible. To read about our initiatives, visit our Stamp out spiking campaign page.

If you think you or a friend has been spiked, dispose of the drink immediately and inform a member of the bar or security team, who can help. Find somewhere safe, away from large groups, ideally with a friend. If it's your friend, don't leave them alone, contact a GP surgery or NHS 111, or the nearest A&E (St Peter's Hospital, Chertsey) if they feel unwell, vomit, or hallucinate. If you're capable, arrange safe transport home with someone you trust. If comfortable, inform the police, testing is most effective within 12-72 hours. If it happened in one of our venues, email venues@su.rhul.ac.uk with the details and our team will get in touch.

As a Students' Union, we believe we have a duty to challenge harassment and violence, and we encourage all students to report it. Sexual harassment isn't just physical, it covers any unwanted and persistent behaviour of a sexual nature. If you experience this at one of our events, report it to any member of security, bar staff, or the supervisor/duty manager, it'll be investigated immediately. You can also book an appointment with one of our Advice Centre advisors at the Union Helpdesk, or contact the University's free counselling service at counselling@royalholloway.ac.uk.

You can contact the University's Student Wellbeing team, who can offer support and guidance.

Our Advice Centre advisors are happy to guide and support you, as well as accompany you to any meetings. Just email advice@su.rhul.ac.uk.