Giant rhinos and letters home historical Freshers Weeks at our University
This year our University has launched its Fabulous First Year initiative, including the MyUoL app which allows students to access daily university information in one place including timetables, library search and university news.
However, before the days of high-tech gadgets and mobile apps, the Freshers’ Week experience was quite different.
The Special Collections has made available a number of images of various attractions on campus during past Freshers’ Weeks and throughout the year, from the 1930s to the 1990s.
Among the images is a rather attractive study bedroom in College Hall – which is now the University’s conference and training venue College Court - during the 1950s.
An image of Freshers’ Fayre in the 1990s shows students stocking up on freebies with a prominent model of a rhino in the background.
The original library in the Fielding Johnson Building in 1932 is also featured, as well as letters from a student in 1955 written to their parents about their great experience settling in at the University of Leicester.
Other images include student societies such as the 1970s Leicester University Badminton Club and students in the 60s queuing for their lunch in the Percy Gee Building – now the home of the Students’ Union.
- The University of Leicester adopts a student-centred approach in everything it does and is committed to widening participation; welcoming students from all backgrounds to fulfil their potential at Leicester.