New students and arrivals
Arrivals day
Due to the number of students arriving into Vanbrugh College, you are 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.
Abode residents - Friday 18 September 2026
Details about your arrival day will be sent to you directly from the Fusion Students team - keep an eye out for an email from ‘abode@wearehomesforstudents.
If you have any questions about your move-in process, please contact the team at abode@wearehomesforstudents.
Student Castle residents - Saturday 19 September 2026
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 - Sunday 20 September 2026
- Please park in the Campus North Car Park (campus map / google maps / what3words) on arrival and head to the National STEM Learning Centre to collect your accommodation key. Please remember to bring a form of photo ID with you.
- After you have collected your accommodation keys, head to Fairfax House (campus map / google maps / what3words).
- 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 South Car Park (campus map / google maps / what3words).
On-campus Vanbrugh residents - Sunday 20 September 2026
- Please park in the Campus North Car Park (campus map / google maps / what3words) on arrival and head to the National STEM Learning Centre to collect your accommodation key. Please remember to bring a form of photo ID with you.
- After collecting your key:
- For Le Page Court, head to Car Park C (2.2) (campus map / google maps / what3words) to unload your belongings. Due to limited space, you have 60 minutes maximum to unload.
- For Donald Barron Court and Barbara Scott Court, head to Wentworth Way and Car Park D (2.1) (campus map / google maps / what3words)
- After unloading, you will need to move your car to our long-stay Campus South Car Park (campus map / google maps / what3words).
Living off campus?
- From Monday 21 September 2026, head to the Unicard desk in Sally Baldwin Block B to collect your student card. 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 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 Student Castle or Abode, please contact your relevant team for the latest information.
For on campus residents:
We strongly encourage you to arrive on the day your tenancy contract begins.
You cannot arrive before your contract begins. 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.
If you do arrive on a different day, collect your accommodation key card from the Information Centre between 7am and 11pm.
If you have any questions, please contact accommodation
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 accommodation
I have physical disabilities and require accessible parking. Do I need to register in advance?
Blue Badge holders can use accessible parking spaces on campus and you don't need to register in advance. See our campus map for accessible parking spaces.
For details about accessible parking for Student Castle accommodation, please contact york@studentcastle.co.uk.
For details about accessible parking for Abode accommodation, please contact abode@wearehomesforstudents.
What happens if I arrive ‘out of hours’?
Student Castle or Abode
For members of Student Castle or Abode, please contact your relevant team for the latest information.
On campus home undergraduates
Our home undergraduate key collection hub on Sunday 20 September 2026 is at the National STEM Learning Centre. It is open between 9am and 5pm, though you should aim to arrive during your pre-booked arrival slot.
Delayed home undergraduates can be assisted at the Campus Reception at the Information Centre after 5pm.
Students from overseas on campus
Students arriving from overseas collect their keys between 8am and 8pm from the Campus Reception at the Information Centre.
Out of hours on campus
If you arrive on campus outside these hours, please make alternative arrangements until our Campus Reception reopens.
In an emergency, you can contact Campus Safety on +44 (0)1904 32 4444.
Arriving after arrivals week
If you arrive after Sunday 20 September 2026, on campus students collect your keys from the Campus Reception at the Information Centre between 7am and 11pm.
Will I be able to buy food when I get there?
Check campus outlet opening times to see whether they will be open when you plan to arrive. Note that our campus catering outlets only take card or contactless payments.
If you are moving into catered accommodation, please be aware your meals will only be available on weekdays during the semester, starting Monday 21 September 2026.
For members of Student Castle or Abode, 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.
