New students and arrivals
Keeping up to date
As we get closer to the start of the semester, we'll email your University of York email account with information and advice on how to prepare, and share copies of the emails below.
Welcome to the University of York! Things to do first - 22 August 2025
Arrivals day
More information about our arrivals and car parking process will be released the week commencing Monday 1 September 2025.
Abode residents - Friday 12 September 2025
Details about your arrival day will be sent to you directly from the Abode team - keep an eye out for emails sent from ‘abode@wearehomesforstudents.com’.
If you have any questions about your move-in process, please contact the team at abode@wearehomesforstudents.com.
On-campus residents - Saturday 13 September 2025
Due to the number of students arriving into James College, you will be asked to book an arrival slot to help us minimise unnecessary queues and delays. Please try and arrive during this time.
- On arrival, please park in the Campus South Car Park (campus map / google maps / what3words) on arrival and head on foot to James Hall (campus map / google maps / what3words) to collect your keys, student card and other information.
- Once you have your keys you can then return to your car and move it to the drop off area (campus map / google maps / what3words) where you can unload your belongings.
- After unloading your luggage, you will need to move your car back to the Campus South Car Park (campus map / google maps / what3words).
From 9am to 5pm, members of our team, including our student volunteers known as Second and Third Year Contacts (STYCs), will be on hand to help you carry your belongings and show you to your accommodation block. If you arrive after this time, you will need to head to our Information Centre to collect your keys.
Living off campus?
- Once you’ve arrived in York, head to our Information Centre (open 24/7) to collect your student card and other important information. Please remember to bring a form of photo ID with you for collection.
- See our advice for moving into private rented accommodation, including a handy moving in checklist for your first key tasks, and explore the range of support available for all local and commuting students.
- Wherever you’re based this year, you’re still a member of James College and welcome at all college events and activities!
Frequently Asked Questions
I’m not able to move in on the day I’ve been assigned. Can I arrive on a different day instead?
Abode residents
Please contact the Abode team (abode@wearehomesforstudents.com) who will be best placed to advise.
On-campus residents
We strongly encourage you to arrive on the day your tenancy contract begins. Arrivals weekend is a very busy time at the University, with lots of traffic and queues across campus.
If you choose to arrive after this date, please be aware there will be a limited number of parking spaces available, as well as limited assistance available to help you move into your room. We therefore strongly recommend you move in on your allocated arrival date.
If you have any questions, please contact your college team at james@york.ac.uk, who will be able to advise.
I’m a neurodivergent student and would like to move in when it’s quieter. Is that possible?
Arrivals weekend is very busy and can, for some students, be overwhelming. If you have specific needs, please contact the team at james@york.ac.uk (on- campus residents) or abode@wearehomesforstudents.com (Abode residents) and we will be able to advise the best time to arrive.
I have physical disabilities and require accessible parking. Do I need to register in advance?
If you require accessible parking on campus, please contact the team at james@york.ac.uk for more information.
For details about accessible parking for Abode accommodation, please contact abode@wearehomesforstudents.com.
What happens if I arrive ‘out of hours’?
For on-campus students, you will be able to collect your keys from our Information Centre, which is staffed 24 hours a day, seven days a week. If you arrive after 5pm, please be aware there will likely be a limited amount of parking and assistance available to help you move into your room.
Once you’ve moved in, you can collect your welcome week wristband from an on-campus welcome event requiring a wristband, or speak to your STYCs for more information.
For Abode residents, please contact the Abode team (abode@wearehomesforstudents.com) who will be best placed to advise.
Will I be able to buy food when I get there?
If you are moving into catered or self-catered accommodation on campus, you'll need to think about food for your first evening. Note that our campus catering outlets only take card payments.
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.
For Abode residents, please contact the Abode team (abode@wearehomesforstudents.com) who will be best placed to advise.
Once you've arrived
Your room number
Accommodation services will email you your room code in September, which includes your room number and block. If you have any queries, get in touch with the Accommodation team.
- The letters at the start tell you which building the room is in
- The next letter is your block/court
- The number is your room number
- The first digit of your room number is your floor: (0 is Ground Floor, 1 is First Floor etc.)
- If you're in house style blocks (A-F), the second digit is your house number (0 = House 1, 1 = House 2 etc)
For example: J/B/104 is B Block, House 1, First Floor, Room number 104. J/F/114 is F Block, House 2, First Floor, Room number 114.
Report any issues
If you're living on campus, we’ll email you a room inventory when you move in. Check your room thoroughly and report any problems.
Report a problem with your room
If you're living off campus, your accommodation provider / letting agent will provide you with an inventory on the day you move in. See our advice for moving into private sector accommodation, including what to expect and a handy moving in checklist for your first key tasks.
Your first week
During the first week, James College and our Students’ Union will put on a programme of welcome activities, led by the student committees, to introduce you to the college, get to know your housemates and begin your new university adventure.
