New students being shown around by Vanbrugh STYCs

Before you arrive

We’re sure you want to plan ahead:

  • Take a look at the welcome pages, including how to register and what to bring.
  • Complete the Vanbrugh pre-arrival survey. We will email your University account with the survey a few weeks before you arrive.
  • If you've decided to live off-campus or commute in, you’ll still be a member of a Vanbrugh College. See the local and commuting students page for extra help and support. Look out for a college email inviting you to a welcome event and orientation session.
  • If you are a Vanbrugh Member living in Student Castle keep an eye on your emails for information about your arrival and welcome.
  • 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.

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 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
Vanbrugh Students Walking on Campus

When to arrive

If you are living in Fairfax House, your undergraduate arrival date is Saturday 16 September 2023.

If you are living in Le Page Court, Donald Barron Court or Barbara Scott Court, your undergraduate arrival day is Sunday 17 September 2023.

Once your room number has been confirmed, we’ll email your University of York account with a link for you to book an arrival slot.

If you are a Vanbrugh member living in Student Castle, your undergraduate arrival day is Saturday 23 September 2023

Arrivals day

1. Getting here

Find detailed 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 to help minimise congestion.

Car parking process

2. Meet STYCs and collect keys

Our friendly Second and Third Year Contacts (STYCs) will greet you on arrival and show you where to go. You can identify them by their purple Vanbrugh t-shirts. If there’s anything you need to know, just ask them!

Your Vanbrugh STYC will show you where to collect your keycard and student ID, and introduce you to our college staff. Don’t forget to bring some photo ID. 

If you aren't able to come on your allocated arrival day, or if you arrive after the final booking slot, please collect your keys from Vanbrugh Reception located at the Information Centre on Market Square.

3. Move into your room

Once you’ve collected your ID and keycard, a STYC or STYM (student mentor) will show you to your accommodation at Vanbrugh. 

If you travel by car, you’ll be directed from the car park to nearer your accommodation if possible, so that you can unload your things. To help ease congestion, please return your car to the car park once you’ve unloaded your belongings.

4. Say hi to your flatmates

Once you’ve got your bearings and have unpacked your stuff, you might want to say hi to your flatmates. Your kitchen is a good place to start.

The STYMs for your flat will be in touch soon, to inform you what will happen in 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, 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.

Join in at Vanbrugh