What do January intakes, New Year’s resolutions and a loan drop have in common? Individually, not much. But together, they create a highly engaged audience for a Welcome Back week tour.
So brands dust yourself off and get ready – as a new quarter approaches, so do new engagement opportunities.
But what exactly is Welcome Back Week? 
From students adjusting to their new timetable, meeting new coursemates and diving back into society activities – Welcome back week marks the return of students to campus in January from their month-long hiatus.
It isn’t just a moment in the student calendar – it’s also a key time for brands to connect with Gen z students.
With one term already down, they are feeling refreshed and wanting to throw themselves back into uni life.
As Isabella, 20, University of Sussex puts it: “it can be a very big moment because you’ve started a completely new chapter.”
Loan drop szn
A maintenance loan deposit is a significant time for students and brands alike, so listen up.
Though the exact timing may differ between universities, students typically receive their maintenance loan in three lump sums across the academic year.
With bills, rent, and food taking priority, students use any disposable cash left over to get them through the academic year – the top spending verticals, according to native research, include takeaways, fashion and beauty.
And yes, one of those drops happens in January – just in time for the second term, when students are looking to top up their funds and refresh their spending power.
New year, New me
January isn’t just about returning to campus – It’s all about the “in” or “out” list.
Forget the usual one or two resolutions for the year ahead; this online trend is all about how Gen Z is planning to upgrade their uni habits.
For 2025, native research shows that 93% of students want to focus on their overall well-being, as they strive to build a mentally healthier and more fulfilling lifestyle.
Anything from making time for hobbies, learning a new skill, prioritising mental health and eating healthier can be found on their lists.
And don’t forget – students will be looking for brands to help them achieve these goals.
Just landed on campus
Whilst Autumn enrollment continues to be the most popular time for students to start their degrees in the UK, a number of universities are now seeing a rise in students opting for courses that start in the new year including foundation, masters and top-up degrees.
The appeal? These students will graduate in January, avoiding the peak graduation job hunt in June and July.
Or, for international students, visa delays or postponed accommodation move-in dates might have meant missing out on their first taste of university life – Freshers week.
As Isabella, 20, University of Sussex puts it: “Some couldn’t get their visa and get here. I have friends that weren’t actually here for Freshers Week because they missed it trying to get their visa.”
For these students, Welcome Back week is their Freshers – a key moment in starting their educational journey. It’s a week filled with opportunities to explore their new environment, make new friends, and most importantly, discover the brands that will shape their student life.
Okay, so what’s the catch?
Well, there isn’t one – here at native we are offering brands a game-changing opportunity.
With partnerships across over 30+ locations this January, we can help you connect with up to 700,000 students as they return back to campus.
Whether your campaign is national, regional, or city-specific, we’re here to help you stand out in the youth market with targeted, high-impact campus activations that drive guaranteed footfall.
From cost-effective stalls to more bespoke setups, we cater for every budget.
So why not jump on board as we launch the ultimate Welcome Back week tour?
Ready to jumpstart Q1? Get in touch today to secure your spot on campus this January.