CATZ MCR FRESHERS’ WEEK 2025
Here are the details for each event, day by day. All events will offer non-alcoholic options and can accommodate your dietary restrictions or accessibility needs. All events are free unless otherwise stated. For any inquiries related to MCR-organised events, please contact us at mcr.presidents@stcatz.ox.ac.uk.
If you’re still finding your way around Catz, this map of the college may come in handy!
See below for more details:
Sunday 5 October
Welcome Pizza
17:00–20:00 – St Catherine’s House, Bath Street, OX4 1DT – Organised by MCR
Sign-up is highly encouraged. Partners and family are welcome. Kick off Freshers’ Week with good pizza, sunshine (we hope!), and a chance to meet your new Catz family if you’ve just arrived in town or are still finding your way in N1/N2 kitchens.
Monday 6 October
Subject Dinner
18:30–20:45 – Restaurant in town, location to be shared by your host – Organised by MCR College Parents
Sign-up is necessary. Share a meal with fellow freshers in your field and get insider tips from an upper-year student. Please note that you will have to pay for your own meal.
Welcome Lounge
21:00–23:30 – Ainsworth Graduate Centre, MCR – Organised by MCR
Sign-up is highly encouraged. A relaxed space to unwind, meet the MCR’s bar, connect with other freshers, and settle into Catz life.
Tuesday 7 October
Karaoke Night
20:00–23:30 – Ainsworth Graduate Centre, MCR – Organised by MCR
Sign-up is highly encouraged. Break the ice by singing your favourite songs with new Catz friends. The bar will be open.
Wednesday 8 October
Graduate Registration
09:00–11:15 – Riverside Lecture Theatre – Organised by College
For full-time students only (unless you registered early).
By surname: A–H at 09:00–09:45, I–Q at 09:45–10:30, R–Z at 10:30–11:15. Part-time students register with departments.
Introduction by the Master, Tutor for Graduates and the Home Bursar
11:30–12:15 – Riverside Lecture Theatre – Organised by College
Attendance is compulsory. Get to know the Master, Tutor for Graduates, and the Home Bursar.
MCR Information Session
12:15–13:00 – Riverside Lecture Theatre – Organised by MCR Co-Presidents
Attendance is compulsory. Learn what the MCR is and how it can support you during your time at Catz and Oxford.
Oxford University Student Union Freshers’ Fair
14:00–15:00 – Examination Schools – Organised by Oxford University Student Union (OUSU)
We will go together as Catz to see what is on offer at a University level. A great opportunity to find your next hobby or sport. Meet outside Ainsworth Graduate Centre at 13:45 or meet at Examination Schools at 14:00.
https://www.oxfordsu.org/freshers
MCR Welfare Talk
16:45–18:00 – Riverside Lecture Theatre – Organised by College
Attendance is compulsory. Meet the Dean, the College Nurse, the College Counsellor, the Panel of Advisors, the Junior Deans and Peer Supporters.
Family Dinner
18:30–20:30 – Restaurant in town, location to be announced by your college parent – Organised by MCR & College Parents
Sign-up is necessary. Enjoy a relaxed meal while meeting Catz freshers from different fields. The “Family” concept at Catz MCR is just a theme for this dinner, not necessarily an extended concept throughout the year. Please note that you will have to pay for your own meal.
Pub Night
21:00–23:30 – The Cape of Good Hope – Organised by MCR
Sign-up is highly encouraged. Enjoy a pint or two while meeting new friends. A small tab opened by the MCR may cover your first drink, but please bring your shiny new Oxford student ID for discounts, and be prepared to pay afterwards.
Thursday 9 October
Consent Workshops
09:45–10:30 – Arumugam & Raptakos – for Groups A–C
10:45–11:30 – Arumugam & Raptakos – for Groups D–F
Organised by College. A consent workshop is a short, practical session that explores what consent means in everyday and college social life, and how to communicate boundaries with respect and clarity.
Attendance is compulsory to be part of college student life. Please contact the Dean (dean@stcatz.ox.ac.uk) to arrange a new date to take the workshop if you cannot attend your assigned slot.
College Library Drop-in
10:00–12:00 – Library Marquee – Organised by College
Visit the library and familiarise yourself with the space.
Catz Freshers’ Fair
13:00–15:00 – JCR marquee – Organised by JCR & MCR
An opportunity to learn about clubs and societies available at Catz.
College Tour
15:00–16:00 – Meet outside Porters’ Lodge – Organised by MCR
Discover your way around Catz and all its spaces (and scaffolding) that will soon feel like home.
Meet the Registrar & Disability Lead
16:00–17:00 – Riverside Seminar Room A – Organised by College
Drop in to ask questions about Disability Advisory Service (DAS), disability, long-term conditions, or academic access arrangements.
Meet the College Doctor
18:30–20:00 – Northgate Health Centre, OX1 3HL – Organised by College
A–L from 18:30, M–Z from 19:15. An opportunity to meet the College doctor and team, update your records, and ask about medical needs.
Mixology Session and Bar Recruitment
19:00–20:30 – Ainsworth Graduate Centre, MCR – Organised by MCR
Sign-up is necessary. Learn cocktail-making (and tasting!), play games, and hear how you can join the MCR bar team.
Pub Quiz Night
20:30–23:30 – Ainsworth Graduate Centre, MCR – Organised by MCR
Sign-up is highly encouraged. Test your knowledge in a fun and friendly pub quiz.
Friday 10 October
Oxford Union Tour
13:45–14:45 – Oxford Union – Organised by Oxford Union & MCR
Visit the world’s most prestigious debating society and hear about its history, traditions, and membership.
Rowing Information Session
15:00–16:00 – Ainsworth Graduate Centre, MCR – Organised by Rowing Club
Learn about rowing at Catz and how to get involved.
MCR Committee Recruitment
16:15–17:15 – Ainsworth Graduate Centre, MCR – Organised by MCR
We are looking for new committee members to help make social life at Catz happen. Come along to learn the roles we have available.
Fire Safety Talk
17:30–18:00 – Riverside Lecture Theatre – Organised by College
Attendance is compulsory for those living on-site or at Catz House.
Graduate Freshers’ Dinner
18:30 – Riverside Walkway (Pre-Dinner Reception)
19:15 – Hall Marquee (Dinner)
20:30 – Ainsworth Graduate Centre, MCR (Post-dinner reception)
Organised by College & MCR
Sign-up is necessary. You will be asked by the Academic Office (academic.registrar@stcatz.ox.ac.uk) to register and submit your dietary restrictions.
Get to know Catz Dining and enjoy dinner with the Catz graduate community. Dinner is offered by college. The bar will be open after dinner. If you couldn’t go to the dinner, you are still welcome to come to the post-dinner reception in the MCR afterwards.
Saturday 11 October
Clubs and Societies Taster Sessions
All day – Various locations – Organised by JCR & MCR
Sign-up might be necessary, depending on the club or society.
Try out activities and discover which clubs and societies might interest you.
Sexy Salsa with Señor Sandoval
11:30–12:30 – Ainsworth Graduate Centre, MCR – Organised by MCR
Sign-up is highly encouraged. Partners and family are welcome.
An introduction to salsa dancing, suitable for beginners.
Yummy Lunch with Signore Pydugadu
12:30–14:00 – Ainsworth Graduate Centre, MCR – Organised by MCR
Sign-up is highly encouraged. Partners and family are welcome.
Enjoy lunch together with fellow Catz graduate students.
Catz Rowing Freshers Barbecue
15:00–17:00 – Catz Boat House – Organised by Catz Rowing Club
Enjoy a barbecue with the Catz Rowing team and get to know our Boat House!
The ‘Name Game’ Entz
22:00 – JCR marquee – Organised by JCR
Dress as something or someone beginning with the first letter of your name and meet the undergraduate community.
Saturday 18 October – Matriculation Day
Registration and Briefing
09:30 – Riverside Lecture Theatre – Organised by College
Compulsory attendance before the ceremony.
Group Photograph
11:15 – Main Quad – Organised by College
The traditional matriculation photo with your cohort.
Individual Photographs
12:15 – Main Quad – Organised by College
Portraits taken after the group photo.
Lunch
13:15 – Riverside Walkway – Organised by College
Sandwich lunch with refreshments
Matriculation Ceremony
15:00 – Sheldonian Theatre – Organised by University
Attendance is compulsory. The formal ceremony where you officially become a member of the University of Oxford. Partners and family are welcome to join outside the Sheldonian Theatre.