New students and arrivals
Before you arrive
- Have a look at the welcome pages to find out what you’ll need to do before you get here and what to bring.
- Complete the Halifax pre-arrival survey. We will email your University account with the survey a few weeks before you arrive.
- Whether you are moving into catered or self-catered accommodation, you'll need to think about food for your first evening. Depending on when you arrive, our on-campus outlets may be closed, and if you are moving into catered accommodation, please be aware your meals will only be available on weekdays during the semester.
- If you require a student parking permit for Halifax college, apply for one online. There are 70 available on a first come first served basis.
Your room number
Accommodation services will email you in September with your room number and block. If you have any accommodation queries, get in touch with the Accommodation team.
- The letter at the start (H) tells you that your room is in Halifax
- The next letters show your block/house
- The following digits are your room number
- The first of the digits will inform which floor you’re on
For example: HWO/A/01 is Wood Court, House A, room 1, ground floor. HAI/A/002 is Ainsty Court, Block A, Room 002.
When to arrive
Your undergraduate arrival day is Sunday 17 September 2023. Accommodation Services will email your University of York email account with a link to the induction module and ask you to book a one-hour arrival slot.
If you are a postgraduate, you can arrive from the date on your room offer. Welcome activities and induction events will begin from Monday 11 September 2023.
Arrivals day
1. Getting here
Find travel information on the maps, directions and parking web pages.
If you are arriving by car, please sign up for an arrival slot via your accommodation offer. This will help our college teams to manage the large number of students arriving on campus. As we have limited car parking spaces, we ask that you follow this process on arrival to help minimise congestion.
2. Meet STYCs and collect keys
Undergraduates arriving on Sunday 17 September:
When you arrive at Halifax, you’ll be welcomed by our student helpers (STYCs), identifiable by their blue t-shirts. They’ll direct you where to go. Don't be afraid to ask them for help!
Your STYC will show you where to pick up your key card and student ID, and be welcomed by our college staff. Please remember to bring a photo ID.
If you’ve booked an arrival time after 5pm, you should collect your keycard from the reception in the Halifax College Reception Building.
Postgraduates arriving from Monday 11 September onwards:
Head to the reception where our reception staff and student volunteers will greet you and help you to move in. Please remember to bring a photo ID.
3. Move into your room
Once you have your key card, it’s time to find your room! A STYC or STYM (Student Mentor) will be able to show you where to go if needed.
If you arrive by car, unload all of your luggage and then move your car to the overflow car park before unpacking. Directions to the overflow will be given on the day. You will be given a slip which allows you 30 minutes of parking to unload.
4. Say hi to your flatmates
Once you’re familiar with your new surroundings and have unpacked your stuff, you might want to say hi to your flatmates. Your kitchen is usually a good place to do so.
The STYMs for your flat will be in touch soon, to let you know about the weeks ahead.
Keeping up to date
As we get closer to the start of the semester, we'll email you with information and advice on how to prepare. These emails will be sent to your University of York email account. Find any that you may have missed below.
Your first week
During your first week, Halifax and our Students’ Unions deliver a programme of introductory activities, led by our student committee, to welcome you to our college, help you meet fellow students and start living Halifax life to the full.
