Department of Computer Science
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- On-campus MSc students: Induction 2026
Induction activities for postgraduate taught students (On-campus MSc)
September 2026
Welcome!
We would like to welcome you to the Department of Computer Science, and we hope you will enjoy your time with us.
Our home is the Ian Wand Building on Campus East, and we share our building with the Department of Mathematics.
What you must do now
If you haven't yet done so, it's very important that you ensure you have completed your enrolment. This is a requirement for all new and returning students, and you can do it online.
Registering your arrival
If you are a full-time student studying for your MSc over the course of one year, then you need to tell us that you have arrived in York. Please come to the Reception area in the Ian Wand Building to complete your registration at the following time:
Tuesday 22nd September between 10:15 and 11:00.
When you come to register, please ensure that you bring your University Card with you. You will be contacted by email with further details of when and where to collect your card.
Missed your registration slot? Please don't worry! Come and see us at the Reception desk in Computer Science and we will be able to help you.
Please note: you do not need to register if you are studying the MSc Safety Critical Systems Engineering on a part-time basis.
Your first week
During your first week, you will attend a schedule of events which will introduce you to the Department and the facilities that you will use during your degree. It is also a great opportunity to meet your fellow students and key members of staff.
Information on University-wide induction events and those run by the Department will all be available to view on your timetable.
Please ensure that you double-check your timetable for any last-minute amendments to rooms. Such changes may not be shown here on our web pages.
Please note: if you are studying the MSc Safety Critical Systems Engineering on a part-time basis, you do not need to attend the on-campus induction events. Presentation slides will uploaded to this web page.
Tues 22nd September 11:00 - 12.00: Welcome talk for full-time MSc students
This session is for all new postgraduate taught students studying our courses on a full-time basis.
Members of staff will welcome you to the Department and will host a Question & Answer session. This is your chance to meet key members of the Department team, to meet your fellow students, and to ask any questions you might have.
This talk will also introduce you to the well-being support we can offer during your time at York.
Room: LMB/002A Lecture Theatre, Law & Sociology Building, Campus East
Tues 22nd September 12:00 - 12:45: Welcome refreshments
Immediately after the Welcome Talk, join us in the Ian Wand Building for refreshments, and find out more about us!
Several members of our academic team will be available if you have any questions. You'll also be able to meet our Student Support team and our Wellbeing Officer: these are key members of staff that you will see regularly during your time at York.
Room: Pod and CSE/082&083, Ian Wand Building, Campus East
Weds 23rd September 11:00 - 12:00: Course information sessions
Come to an information session to find out more about your Masters course. There will be a separate session for each course: this is your chance to meet your fellow students, your course leader, and to ask any specific questions you might have about your course.
Advanced Computer Science (ACS): Dr Xinwei Fang. Room: LMB/002A, Law & Sociology Building, Campus East
Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Artificial Intelligence with LLMs (AI/LLM): Dr Pourya Shamsolmoali. Room: RCH/248X (RCH Lakehouse), Ron Cooke Hub, Campus East
Cyber Security (CYBER): Dr Yuchen Zhao. Room: PZA/103, Piazza Building, Campus East
Data Science (DATA): Dr Mike O'Dea. Room: LMB/036B, Law & Sociology Building, Campus East
Human-Centred Interactive Technologies (HCIT): Professor Paul Cairns. Room: LMB/037X, Law & Sociology Building, Campus East
Safety Critical Systems Engineering (SCSE): There is no course information session on Tuesday 17th September. Please contact your personal supervisor, who will tell you more about your Masters course.
Weds 23rd September 14:00 - 16:00: Computer Science social event
Join us for a team-based quiz around the Department. You'll be solving problems, hunting out solutions and getting thoroughly lost - but don't worry, we'll find you!
At the end of the quiz, each participant in the winning team will receive a £20 Amazon voucher (maximum of six in each team, unless you’re just playing for fun.)
Room: Meet at Reception in the Ian Wand Building, Campus East
Fri 25th September 10:00 - 11:00: Introduction to Campus Essentials: Health, Safety and Library
In this session, we'll be welcoming 'guest speakers' who will tell you more about things that are good to know! Find out about the following:
- Health and Safety in Computer Science: an important overview (Lennon Chappell)
- Introduction to Library, Archives & Learning Services: how to make the most of it. For a quick preview, see Your library quickstart guide. (Elizabeth Simpson)
Room: Main auditorium (F/100), Central Hall, Campus West
Support for students with a disability or long-term health condition
If a disability or long-term health condition impacts your ability to study, the University's Disability Services team can arrange academic support and adjustments. You can discuss your needs with a Disability Adviser and explore what support options may be available to you.
Please note: previous school or college arrangements are not passed to the University automatically. We strongly recommend that you speak to the Disability Support Team if you think you will need extra support. Email disabilityservices@york.ac.
Useful links
Your supervisor
Every student is assigned a supervisor from the Department to help and advise you on all aspects of university life. In your first week, you need to:
- Find the name of your supervisor: Check your e:vision account for their name.
- Locate your supervisor's office: use the online People Finder to look up their room number.
- Arrange a meeting: look out for an email invitation from your supervisor, or check your supervisor's office door for a sign-up sheet.
If you haven't heard from your supervisor by the end of your first week, email them directly. For any questions or help finding your supervisor's office, go to the Student Support Team at the Reception Desk in the Ian Wand Building.
The teaching timetable
Teaching starts on Monday 28th September. If you have not already done so, please take a look at your timetable. You can check the location of teaching rooms by looking them up on the University's Campus Map.
Keeping up to date
Student Handbook: your go-to guide for your course. We recommend 'starring' this file in Google Drive for quick access.
University student pages: Access a wide range of useful tools, resources and contact information for any issues you face.
Computer Science student information web pages: Check our web pages for details on your course, modules, assessments and FAQs.
Keeping in touch
Check your email daily: The University uses your official University of York email account as the primary way to contact you.
Update e:vision (UoY login required): Keep your local term-time address and telephone number up to date so we can always reach you.
Advice about computers
Personal devices: you can use your own laptop or desktop running Windows, Mac or Linux. A standard entry-level Intel x86-64 machine as described in the advice on the University's IT Services web pages is fine for daily work.
Optional upgrade: if you want something more powerful, consider a machine with CUDA-capable GPU, but this is not essential.
Mac compatibility: we do not teach anything that requires Mac-specific software, but you can buy a Mac laptop if you prefer. If Windows-specific software is ever required, you can use compatibility tools, or you can work in our Department's software labs.
24/7 software labs: you do not need to buy an expensive high-end machine. The Department has three dedicated software labs open 24/7, fully loaded with all necessary software.
Questions? Contact us!
If you have any questions, or you need further assistance of any kind, please contact us.
- Visit: Computer Science Reception is open 08:30 - 16:30 Monday to Thursday each week, and 08:30 - 16:00 on Fridays.
- Email: cs-reception@york.ac.uk
- Telephone: 01904 325500
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