How to Make Friends at University: Your Guide to Finding Your People

• 10 Sep, '26
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Starting university is exciting. A new city, a new course, a new home and a whole lot of independence. But amongst all that excitement, there’s one question that crosses almost every new student’s mind:

How am I actually going to make friends at university?

If you’re worried about arriving at uni and not knowing anyone, you’re definitely not the only one. Making friends at university can feel daunting, particularly when it looks like everyone else has already found their people within five minutes of arriving.

The reality? Most people are in exactly the same position as you.

University brings together students from different cities, countries, cultures and backgrounds, and those first few weeks are all about finding your feet. You don’t need to arrive with a ready-made friendship group, and you certainly don’t need to become best friends with the first person you meet.

Give it time, put yourself out there and remember that friendships often happen when you least expect them.

Here are some simple ways to start meeting people and making your new university city feel like home.

1. Say yes – especially in the first few weeks

There’s a reason Freshers’ Week and Welcome Week are such a big part of starting university.

Your first few weeks are one of the easiest times to meet new people because everyone is looking to do exactly the same thing. So, when someone asks if you fancy grabbing a coffee, exploring the city, going to an event or heading down to a communal space, try saying yes.

You don’t have to attend absolutely everything. In fact, you’ll probably need the occasional night in to recharge. But stepping outside your comfort zone and accepting a few invitations can introduce you to people you might never otherwise meet.

And remember: Freshers’ Week doesn’t have to mean nights out.

Universities, societies and student accommodation providers organise everything from daytime activities and sports sessions to food events, games nights and city tours. Find the things that sound like you.

2. Get to know the people you live with

When you’re making friends at uni, your student accommodation is a great place to start.

You’re already living under the same roof, so take advantage of it. Introduce yourself when you see someone new, say hello in the lift, start a conversation in the lounge or ask someone if they fancy getting a coffee.

It doesn’t have to be complicated.

At Iconinc, community is a huge part of the experience. Our residents come from across the UK and around the world, creating a diverse community of people with different experiences, interests and cultures.

You might arrive knowing absolutely nobody and leave with friends on the other side of the world.

The important bit is taking that first small step. A simple “Hi, I’ve just moved in too” could be the beginning of a friendship that lasts long after university.

3. Make the most of Welcome Week

Moving somewhere new is a big deal. That’s exactly why every Iconinc building hosts its own Welcome Week.

Think of it as your official introduction to life at Iconinc.

Our Welcome Weeks are packed with activities designed specifically to help residents settle in, meet the team and, most importantly, get to know each other in a fun and relaxed environment.

There’s no awkward pressure to walk into a room and magically make ten new best friends. The activities give you something to do and talk about, making starting conversations much easier.

Our advice? Get involved.

Head downstairs, join an activity and introduce yourself to somebody new. Even if you only stay for half an hour, you’ve put yourself in a room with other residents who are also looking to meet people.

Those first conversations can quickly turn into familiar faces around the building – and familiar faces can become friends.

4. Use your communal spaces

One of the easiest ways to meet people at university is simply to spend some time outside your apartment.

Your private studio is perfect when you want your own space, but your building’s communal areas give you opportunities to be around other people without having to organise anything.

Iconinc’s shared spaces are designed for exactly that balance.

Head to a social lounge to watch TV or chat about your day. Study alongside other residents in a communal area. Cook something in one of the family-style communal kitchens. Spend some time in the games room or head outside when the British weather decides to cooperate.

You don’t necessarily need to walk in and immediately introduce yourself to everyone. Just being around other residents regularly helps. You start recognising people. Someone says hello. A conversation starts. Before long, you’re arranging to do something together.

Friendships can grow from the smallest everyday interactions.

5. Join a university society

Wondering how to meet people at university who have similar interests? Join a society.

Universities have societies covering almost everything imaginable. Sport, music, gaming, culture, faith, academic subjects, volunteering, food, film – you name it, there’s probably a society for it.

Freshers’ fairs are a brilliant opportunity to see what’s available, so go along and sign up for anything that catches your attention.

You don’t have to commit to 15 different societies for the entire year. Try a few taster sessions and see which ones feel right.

The big advantage is that you already have something in common with everyone there, which instantly gives you something to talk about.

And if you’re an international student, cultural and international societies can also be a great way to meet people who understand the experience of moving to a new country while still giving you opportunities to broaden your friendship group.

6. Talk to people on your course

Your coursemates are another ready-made group of potential friends – and you’re going to be seeing quite a lot of them.

Instead of heading straight out of a lecture, start a conversation with the person sitting next to you. Ask if they understood the assignment. Suggest grabbing lunch after class. Set up a study group before your first assessment.

Nobody needs a spectacular opening line.

A simple “What did you think of that lecture?” works perfectly well.

Course friendships can be particularly valuable because you’re going through the same deadlines, exams, presentations and early-morning lectures together. Having people around who understand exactly what you’re working on can make university life easier as well as more enjoyable.

And if you want somewhere to work together, Iconinc’s bookable study spaces are ideal for individual work, presentations and group projects with coursemates.

7. Food is always a good icebreaker

There’s something about food that brings people together.

Cook with somebody. Ask a neighbour if they fancy trying a new restaurant. Invite a few people to order a takeaway. Offer someone a cup of tea.

At Iconinc, our communal kitchens provide another opportunity to meet fellow residents while cooking and eating together.

Our events calendar also creates plenty of reasons to gather around food. From Tasty Tuesdays with local restaurants and takeaways to Fresh Veg Fridays, food can be a surprisingly easy way to start a conversation.

And with residents joining us from across the world, sharing food can be a brilliant way to discover different cultures too.

You might even find your new favourite dish along the way.

8. Keep turning up

One of the biggest misconceptions about making friends at university is that it all happens during Freshers’ Week.

It doesn’t.

You might meet your best friend in your first hour. You might meet them three months later.

Real friendships usually develop through repeated interactions. Seeing the same person at an event. Bumping into them in your building. Sitting next to someone in a seminar every Tuesday. Going to the same society each week.

So if you don’t immediately find your perfect friendship group, don’t panic.

Keep going to things you enjoy and keep giving people a chance. Your social circle will probably change throughout university – and that’s completely normal.

9. Remember that everyone makes friends differently

University can sometimes feel like a competition to see who can have the busiest social life, particularly when you’re scrolling through social media.

It isn’t.

Some people love being surrounded by a huge group. Others would rather have two or three really close friends. Some friendships revolve around nights out; others are built over gym sessions, coffee dates, study sessions or cooking dinner together.

There’s no correct way to make friends at uni.

Finding your people is about meeting people you genuinely enjoy spending time with, not collecting as many contacts as possible.

Find your community at Iconinc

Where you live can play a huge part in your university experience.

At Iconinc, we want your accommodation to feel like much more than somewhere you return to after lectures. It should feel like home.

That means having your own private studio when you want time to yourself, alongside welcoming shared spaces and a busy calendar of activities when you’re ready to connect.

Throughout the year, Iconinc residents can enjoy social events, cultural celebrations, food events, day trips and other experiences designed to bring our community together. Our residents come from across the UK and around the world, so university life at Iconinc is an opportunity to meet people you may never otherwise have crossed paths with.

And it all starts with Welcome Week.

So, if you’re arriving at Iconinc this September, unpack your bags, make yourself at home and come and say hello.

Your university experience is only just beginning – and some of the people who’ll make it unforgettable could be living just a few doors away.

Ready to find your university home? Explore Iconinc student accommodation and discover a place designed to help you live well, meet new people and make the most of university life.