First Year Induction Programme
The Black Advisory Hub is delighted to work with a new student team to relaunch the First Year Induction (FYI) Programme for the 2025 academic year.
This First Year Induction Programme is coordinated and facilitated by current Black students to share relevant resources and help ease the transition to university life. Open to Black foundation, undergraduate and postgraduate students just starting at the University of Cambridge, the FYI programme aims to:
- Foster a sense of belonging and community
- Promote cultural awareness and inclusion
- Equip students with resources for academic success and personal development
There will be opportunities for questions and discussion with current students and staff at Cambridge who are keen to welcome and support all incoming Black students.
This year's programme of activities
This event has been scheduled after offers received and before term starts for the new academic year. The online induction is incoming students’ first taste of university life at Cambridge, offering information on how to confidently navigate the transition to Cambridge. It will feature Black staff and students, offering a brief introduction to student life and relevant student resources, breakout sessions for meeting other incoming students, and a chance to have lingering questions answered. Panel discussions will cover topics of interest to incoming students and there will be break-out sessions with opportunities for discussion across the event.
If you are a Black student about to start your first year of studies at Cambridge, please register here.
We are excited to meet you and welcome you to Cambridge! Keep an eye on the in-person events which have been scheduled across Michaelmas Term, to follow this online event.
These activities have been designed as activities to further support incoming Black students who are entering their first year of study at Cambridge. We anticipate that you will participate in a number of other exciting college and department induction events, so have scheduled these activities to days and times we hope you might welcome a relaxed opportunity to meet, check in, or network with other Black students from across the collegiate university, where you might not otherwise have an opportunity to meet.
Please note that you don't have to have attended the online pre-term induction event to participate in the term time programme of activities!
Welcome Walking Tour: Sunday 12 October, 2:00-4:00 pm
- Join the FYI Team and other first year students for a guided walking tour of the University from Black student perspectives. Students will make new connections, stop by relevant landmarks and businesses, and enjoy a treat along the route.
- Please register/RSVP here!
- The meeting starting point and map will be shared closer to the date.
Midterm Networking Mixer: Monday 27 October 2025, 19:00-22:00
- Reconnect with peers and revisit any outstanding topics from the induction over drinks and nibbles. Whether you’re settling into college life or still finding your feet, this is a space to reflect, unwind, and tap into the growing Black student community across the University.
- The mixer will be held in Queens’ College Old Hall.
- The registration link and/or invitations will be available shortly. If you are interested, please email the FYI team at contact@blackadvisory.hub.cam.ac.uk
End of Term Welfare Check Social: Friday 28 November 2025, 5:00-7:00 pm
- As Michaelmas (first) term draws to a close, join the FYI team for a wellness check and reset. Hear from welfare practitioners on how to best look after oneself especially during the winter months and join in relaxing games and activities over a pizza dinner.
- The venue and registration link will be shared closer to the date. If you are interested in participating, please email the FYI team at contact@blackadvisory.hub.cam.ac.uk
The Black Advisory Hub’s First Year Induction programme is designed and led by a dedicated group of Black postgraduate students and staff who are passionate about supporting new students as they begin their Cambridge journey. This year’s organising team brings together a range of experiences across disciplines and colleges, and they’ll be hosting both the online induction and follow-up in-person events.
Ida Jobe is a first year PhD student at the Department of Pathology. She researches regulatory T cell infiltration in the lung and its role in respiratory immunopathology, with the goal of identifying strategies to improve outcomes in acute and chronic lung disease. She is passionate about supporting Black students at Cambridge, drawing on her leadership as President of the Queens’ MCR and her previous work with the Cowrie Scholarship Foundation. In her role at the Black Advisory Hub, she helps create inclusive spaces and coordinates induction for first-year students.
Maya McFarlane is a third year PhD candidate in the Department of Sociology. Her research explores student identity at Historically Black Colleges and Universities. She won the inaugural George Bridgetower Essay Prize (2022) and has served as Ethnic Minorities Officer for Pembroke College (2020/2021), Women's and Non-Binary Officer for the SU BME Campaign (2020/2021) and Co-Facilitator for FLY (2021/2022).
Amanda Boadi is completing her Masters in Business Administration at Judge Business School. Prior to studying at the University of Cambridge, she worked in multiple roles across Canada’s nonprofit sector, focusing on impact & sustainability and program management for youth engagement and school nutrition initiatives.