Social Events for Students with Families
Sport and Leisure Beyond the Campus
Social Events for Students with Families
If you are an international student, Bradford University and its students’ union organise a range of welcome events that may interest you – have a look at the University’s Getting settled web pages or contact the International Student Adviser at internationalstudents@bradford.ac.uk or on +44 (0)1274 236954.
There are other events opportunities out there, not least among student societies and academic departments, so check their noticeboards, social media groups, emails and websites regularly to see what interests you.
The University of Bradford runs an international students group on Facebook and, with the Students’ Union, organises a rolling programme of events.
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Unipol, the University of Leeds, and Leeds University Union work together to organise and deliver a combined annual events calendar. Sometimes this calendar is supplemented by other opportunities during the course of the year, we'll share details of such events with you. To help us spread the word about these opportunities, please do share invitations with other student families you know, and stay up to date by joining our Facebook group.
- Find out more about the family events on offer through the University of Leeds.
- The University nursery, Bright Beginnings offers regular free stay-and-play sessions for young children.
- Halls executive committees organise social activity and events for students with families in residential developments. These include free food events, nights out and day trips.
- Leeds University Union organises a number of events which may have a family focus.
- Check the University events listings and the Stanley and Audrey Burton Gallery events as there are often workshops, concerts or other activities that are family-themed.
Unipol Socials
Monthly events are arranged and hosted exclusively for families in Leeds - this includes families living in Unipol accommodation, families living in University of Leeds accommodation, and for students with dependants in Leeds who live with a private landlord or provider. All student families are welcome.
2023-24 Events Programme
More details about events will be confirmed and shared for 2023-24, watch this space and keep an eye out for email updates and posts on the dedicated Family Facebook Group.
Global Community
Run by the University of Leeds International Student Office, the Global Community initiative provides a platform for meeting people from around the world and learning about other cultures. As part of its activities, Global Community organises regular events of interest to students with families:
- Global Leeds takes place each Wednesday between 2pm - 3pm and is a chance to find out more about the University of Leeds and the City by joining a tour.
- Global Saturdays offers day trips to some of the UK’s best visitor destinations.
- Global Café is a social forum meeting every Monday between 6.00pm and 7.30pm in the Common Room in Leeds University Union.
Meeting Online
Student Parents Group on the University of Leeds Portal – by joining you can email other parents, take part in discussion groups and share experiences, information and ideas.
- Facebook group for Global Community
- Meet other Parents
- Leeds Student Parents
- Netmums (general website)
The University of Nottingham Students’ Union runs a number of student networks, which may be of interest to students with families. These include an International Students’ Network, a Mature Students’ Network and a Postgraduate Students’ Network.
Social Programme Organised by the University for International Students
The University of Nottingham offers an International Welcome programme each September, targeted at students who are from outside the EU and are new to the university. This includes academic activities, practical advice sessions and social events.
Additionally, University of Nottingham Students’ Union runs a series of Welcome events, which include events and activities specifically for international students and an opportunity to take advantage of its Global Buddies scheme.
Through its Global Lounge teams, Nottingham Trent University’s International Student Support Service organises a range of welcome and regular events and activities for international students.
Welcome Week and Winter Welcome provide an extensive programme of events and activities for new students. Some of these are designated as child-friendly.
Weekly events and activities include global community lunches, a language café, games afternoons, movie nights, a book club There is also an annual Global Week, a five-day festival of the art, culture, music and food of NTU’s international community.
Meeting online
The University of Nottingham has a Facebook site for international students and applicants. Nottingham Trent University also has a Facebook site for its international students.
On Campus Sport and Leisure
Your students' union will have many clubs and societies that you can join including sports clubs, volunteering groups, national societies, faith groups and many more. For many students, getting involved in clubs and societies can be a particularly rewarding and enriching part of their life.
Bradford University and its students’ union offer a wide range of sporting and social opportunities:
- Access the gym, pool, sports and classes on the University campus with a membership of Unique Fitness.
- The University also offers a newly-refurbished sports park, five minutes from campus. This comprises 3G pitches, tennis courts, a physio room and a new conditioning suite.
- Check out the Students' Union's clubs and societies here.
- Take a look at the University's Kickstart initiative.
The University of Leeds offers a wide range of sports opportunities including:
- All manner of recreational activities – see their A-Z listings
- Leeds University Union has 300+ clubs and societies.
- The Edge, the University’s own fully equipped gym with large indoor sports halls, a large fitness suite, a range of classes, squash courts, a 25m swimming pool and a climbing wall. Click here for an up-to-date timetable and info on children's sessions.
- School holiday sports camps.
Leeds Beckett University:
- Click here to find out more about what sporting opportunities and facilities Leeds Beckett University offers.
- Check out Leeds Beckett Students' Union's societies and upcoming events.
Leeds Trinity University:
University of Nottingham:
- Click here to view a list of all the clubs and societies at UoNSU.
- View what events are taking place at the Students' Union.
Nottingham Trent University:
- Check out the Students' Union's clubs, societies and activities here.
- Click here to view Community Engagement and Volunteering opportunties at NTU.
Sport and Leisure Beyond the Campus
To find out about what's on and things to do in your local area, visit the links below:
- Visit Bradford
- Bradford UK City of Culture 2025
- Welcome to Yorkshire
- Visit Leeds
- Visit Nottinghamshire
- Day Out with the Kids
- Find Free Parks near you