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
Due to the number of students arriving into Vanbrugh 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.
Your arrival date and instructions will differ depending on which accommodation block of Vanbrugh College you will be moving into - please open the relevant tab below for more specific instructions for your arrival.
Fusion Students residents - Saturday 13 September
Details about your arrival day will be sent to you directly from the Fusion Students team - keep an eye out for an email from ‘hello@fusionstudents.co.uk’.
If you have any questions about your move-in process, please contact the team at hello@fusionstudents.co.uk.
Student Castle residents - Saturday 13 September
Details about your arrival day will be sent to you directly from the Student Castle team - keep an eye out for an email titled “Check in information” from york@studentcastle.co.uk.
If you have any questions about your move-in process, please contact the team at york@studentcastle.co.uk.
Fairfax House residents - Friday 12 September
- Please head to the Fairfax House Car park on arrival, located at Fairfax House (campus map / Google maps / what3words).
- Once parked, head on foot to the college stands at Fairfax House to be greeted by college staff, collect your room key and student card. Remember to bring your photo ID, (ie a passport or driving licence), when doing so. Members of our welcome team, including second and third year students, will be around to help you.
- If you arrive after 12pm, please head over to the Information Centre on Campus West (campus map / google maps / what3words) instead to collect your room key, student ID and other important information, before heading to Fairfax House.
- Once you have collected your keys, you can then return to your car to either begin unloading your belongings or to move your car to a temporary drop off point closer to your accommodation block. Further members of our team will be on hand to assist you with moving your belongings.
- Due to the number of students arriving on the day, parking will be available for 60 minutes only, after which, drivers will be asked to move their cars to our long stay Campus North Car Park (campus map / google maps / what3words). Members of our team will be able to advise if alternative long-stay car parks are available.
Other on-campus Vanbrugh residents - Friday 12 September
- Please head to Car Park C (2.2) (campus map / google maps / what3words).
- Once parked, walk on foot to the Vanbrugh College Nucleus (campus map / google maps / what3words), to be welcomed by college staff, collect your room key and student card. Remember to bring your photo ID, (ie a passport or driving licence), when doing so. Members of our welcome team, including second and third year students, will be around to help you.
- Once you have collected your keys, you can then return to your car to either begin unloading your belongings or to move your car to a temporary drop off point closer to your accommodation block. Members of our team will be on hand to help direct you and assist you with moving your belongings.
- Due to the number of students arriving on the day, parking will be available for 60 minutes only, after which, drivers will be asked to move their cars to our long stay Campus North Car Park (campus map / google maps / what3words). Members of our team will be able to advise if alternative long-stay car parks are available.
- From 1pm 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 Vanbrugh 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 offered. Can I arrive on a different day instead?
For members of Fusion Students or Student Castle, please contact your relevant team for the latest information.
For Fairfax House / other 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 vanbrugh@york.ac.uk, who will be able to advise.
When you arrive in York, head to our Information Centre (open 24/7) to collect your student card and key/keycard. Please remember to bring a form of photo ID with you for collection.
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 relevant team for your accommodation at either vanbrugh@york.ac.uk, hello@fusionstudents.co.uk or york@studentcastle.co.uk 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 for on-campus or Fairfax House arrivals please contact the team at vanbrugh@york.ac.uk for more information.
For details about accessible parking for Fusion Student accommodation, please contact hello@fusionstudents.co.uk.
For details about accessible parking for Student Castle accommodation, please contact york@studentcastle.co.uk.
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.
For members of Fusion Students or Student Castle, please contact your relevant team for the latest information.
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 members of Fusion Students or Student Castle, please contact your relevant team for the latest information.
Once you've arrived
Your room number
Accommodation Services will email you in September with your room number and block/flat. 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 first digit of your room number is your floor: (0 is Ground Floor, 1 is First Floor etc.)
- The digits are your room number
For example: V/A/026 is on the ground floor in Le Page A.
Vanbrugh College room codes
Vanbrugh has a variety of different building codes. Find yours below.
Fairfax House:
- FX/244 is a room on the second floor and FX/012 is on the ground floor
Le Page Court:
- V/A/026 is on the ground floor in Le Page A
- V/B/109 is on the first floor in Le Page B
Donald Barron and Barbara Scott Courts:
Each of the blocks above has its own code followed by three numbers. The first number is the floor and the next two numbers are the room.
- VBA/B/201 is on the second floor of Donald Barron House B room 1
- VSC/D/008 is on the ground floor of Barbara Scott House D room 8
- VSC/F/112 is on the first floor of Barbara Scott House F room 12
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 your first week, Vanbrugh and our Students’ Unions will deliver a programme of introductory activities, led by our student committee, to welcome you to our college, help you get to know fellow students and start living Vanbrugh life to the max.
