Our FANS (Friends of Arriving New Students) provide a personal welcome to new undergraduate students at the University, helping them settle in and acting as their first point of contact for the first few weeks.
FANS are a vital part of the university welcome. This collaborative scheme between the University and the Students’ Union brings together the University Colleges, the Students’ Union and Professional Services to deliver the best possible start for new students.
If you become one of our FANS, you will look after a group of new undergraduates and provide support in the following areas:
- Understanding how the university works
- Campus and library tours
- Getting familiar with the local area and tips for London living
- Blackboard and Unitu
- Social activities and making friends
- Getting involved with UWSU
- Course and academic sessions
- Signposting, advice, and wellbeing
What are the benefits of taking part?
Becoming FANS enables you to gain key transferable skills required for future employment, whilst having fun, meeting new people and helping others.
But don’t just take our word for it! Here’s what some students who completed the scheme last year had to say:
“Being a FAN was such a great experience! I learned a ton about helping others settle in, whether it was guiding them through orientation or just being a friendly face to answer questions. It really helped me get better at communicating and problem-solving on the spot since everyone had their own unique questions and needs. I also got to practice balancing my time between being available for my group and handling my other stuff. Overall, it was a super rewarding role that helped me grow while making new students feel at home!”
“I have developed a plethora of new skills which I know would be necessary for graduate life such as project planning and project management, adaptability and empathy as well as sharpened my teamwork, communication and interpersonal skills. It was lovely to hear all the brilliant ideas they had coming onto the course and all the goals they wanted to achieve. It was in moments like that where I realised there was more to my role than just emailing and signposting, I was connecting with great minds, some of which have become great friends of mine.”
What’s in it for me?
- Training in key transferable skills
- Valuable volunteering experience
- Teamwork and leadership skills
- Points for Employability Award
- Certificate to show completion of role
- Networking opportunities and making new friendships
- A cash reward of up to £450 on successful completion
How to Apply
Submit you application to become a FANS via this form.
Applications will close at 11:59pm on Tuesday 1 April 2025.
Successful applicants will be invited to an in-person Welcome and Assessment Day in April.
Please note that you'll need to be studying at Westminster in September 2025 to take part in FANS.
Find out about the FANS roles at Westminster.
If you have any questions, get in touch with Dora Housham, project coordinator, at [email protected].
