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Staying in York over the summer?

News

Posted on Friday 29 May 2026

Everything you need to know while studying, researching or working in York this summer.
Students having fun in York

Summer events 

Staying in York over the summer vacation? 

From quizzes to exciting day trips, there are plenty of social events taking place to help you meet other students, have fun and make the most of your summer in York!

Student summer events highlights

Event

Sunday 20 September 2026 1pm - 3pm

Organiser: Postgraduate Student Communities
Location: Information Centre (Campus West)
Open to: Everyone

Scavenger Hunt - Campus West

Sunday 20 September 2026 1pm - 3pm

Organiser: Postgraduate Student Communities
Location: Information Centre (Campus West)
Open to: Everyone

Ready to explore your new home and win a prize? Join the Welcome Week scavenger hunt to explore Campus West!

Meet us at the Information Centre at 1pm on Sunday 20 September to collect your answer sheet, team up with fellow students and start solving solving clues across Campus West.

The scavenger hunt will take between 30 - 45 minutes to complete.

We look forward to seeing you there!

To sign up to our mailing list and get ticket reminders, you can sign up via this form: https://forms.gle/XZWjW1BidFLT8JoB8

Go to event

Event

Tuesday 22 September 2026 12pm - 2pm

Organiser: Postgraduate Student Communities
Location: Roger Kirk Centre (James College, Campus West)
Open to: Everyone

Postgraduate Q+A and Cake!

Tuesday 22 September 2026 12pm - 2pm

Organiser: Postgraduate Student Communities
Location: Roger Kirk Centre (James College, Campus West)
Open to: Everyone

Got questions about life as a postgraduate at York? Join the Postgraduate Communities Team and colleges for a relaxed Q+A session where you can ask about anything and everything, from study and research to wellbeing, social life and making the most of your time at York.

No question is too big or too small. Come along, grab a drink and get the answers you need.

Date | Tuesday 22nd September 2026 Time | 12:00 - 14:00 Location | Wentworth College Common Room

To sign up to our mailing list and get ticket reminders, sign up here: https://forms.gle/XZWjW1BidFLT8JoB8

Go to event

Event

Wednesday 23 September 2026 1pm - 4pm

Organiser: Postgraduate Student Communities
Location: E/BOWL Vanbrugh Bowl (Sir Jack Lyons Concert Hall, Campus West)
Open to: Everyone

Silent Disco!

Wednesday 23 September 2026 1pm - 4pm

Organiser: Postgraduate Student Communities
Location: E/BOWL Vanbrugh Bowl (Sir Jack Lyons Concert Hall, Campus West)
Open to: Everyone

Pick your own music and join the party!

Join us on Vanbrugh Bowl from 1pm on Wednesday 23rd September. Three different channels of music, one headset - you choose your own vibe and dance the afternoon away. A great opportunity to meet others, have a good laugh and let off some steam.

Date | 23 September 2026 Time | 1pm - 3pm Location | Vanbrugh Bowl

Go to event

Event

Thursday 24 September 2026 1pm - 3pm

Organiser: Postgraduate Student Communities
Open to: Everyone

Solar System Stroll

Thursday 24 September 2026 1pm - 3pm

Organiser: Postgraduate Student Communities
Open to: Everyone

Get your walking boots on and join the Postgraduate and International Communities team as we explore the University of York’s Model Solar System!

Did you know that The University has it's very own Solar System Model, featuring the Sun, the eight planets and the dwarf planet Pluto?

Tag along with our resident astronomer, Thom, for a relaxing tour of the Solar System as we gently amble the two-mile route from Campus West to Campus East, taking in some of the many sights of campus along the way.

Meet outside the York Student's Union Building on Newton Way.

To sign up to our mailing list and get ticket reminders, you can sign up via this form: https://forms.gle/XZWjW1BidFLT8JoB8

Go to event

Event

Friday 25 September 2026 2pm - 4pm

Organiser: Postgraduate Student Communities
Location: B/R/016 Wentworth Graduate College Hub (Biology Building, Campus West)
Open to: Postgraduates

York Research Exchange

Friday 25 September 2026 2pm - 4pm

Organiser: Postgraduate Student Communities
Location: B/R/016 Wentworth Graduate College Hub (Biology Building, Campus West)
Open to: Postgraduates

Join us for the York Research Exchange, a welcoming space for postgraduate researchers to connect, collaborate, and learn from each other! In our monthly meet ups, we'll explore how research is experienced across disciplines and share the realities of postgraduate life at York.

This informal, social gathering is built around open discussion and peer-led insights and is designed to be an opportunity to spark ideas, build confidence, and grow our vibrant postgraduate community, via conversation, shared perspectives, and coffee and cake!

Where: Wentworth College Hub When: 2–4pm, the final friday every month

All campus events

Emergency support on campus
Campus Safety is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week - if it's urgent, call +44 (0)1904 32 3333 or download the SafeZone app for a quick response to any security or safety issue on campus. If it's non-urgent, you can speak to Campus Safety by phoning +44 (0)1904 32 4444.

Library and IT support

From Friday 5 June, the University Library main entrance is closed while the Library entrance and foyer are being refurbished. An alternative route will be in place to help you access the Library during this time. 

From Sunday 7 June, the University Library returns to usual opening hours, opening 8am until midnight. 

The IT support drop-in sessions continue to run throughout the summer: 

  • Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday: 10am to 12noon and 2pm to 4pm 
  • Tuesday: 10am to 12noon

Catering and shops

Retail and catering outlet opening times may be impacted by upcoming on-campus events such as Open Days, graduation and public bank holidays. Visit the Eat, Shop, and Drink opening times page to see what’s open and when.

Campus catering opening times

Campus disruptions 

  • Essential lift upgrade and replacement works means some lifts may be out of action for a while over the summer. 
  • Campus South and Campus Central car parks are affected by Open Day car park closures around the weekend of 20-21 June.

Campus disruption notices

Reporting faults

The Facilities Helpdesk is open as usual, 7.45am to 4.45pm Monday to Friday (excluding public holidays). Emergency faults can be reported at any time. 

Report faults to the Facilities Helpdesk

Launderettes

All campus launderettes are open as usual over the summer. If your college’s launderette is closed for any reason, you can go to your nearest reception at the Information Centre or Ron Cooke Hub and ask for a key to access another launderette.

Stay cool, save energy this summer
If you’re using campus spaces over the summer, we’re encouraging everyone to use energy responsibly during warmer weather as part of our Energy Saving Campaign. Try simple options like opening windows to keep cool, before switching on AC cooling. If AC cooling is needed, close windows first, set it to cool to no lower than 24°C, and switch it off when you leave.

Even tiny steps can help us all to make a big difference for our planet. 

Buses and travel 

First Bus run a reduced summer service for University bus routes. Stay up-to-date and check your travel using the First Bus web pages.

Bicycle parking spaces and cycle pumps are available across campus. Check out the cycling facilities map to see all the locations of bike storage, water fountains and showers/dressing rooms on campus. 

Your wellbeing

Help and support is available throughout the summer for any student on campus experiencing personal or academic challenges. Student and College Wellbeing Officers offer a friendly, non-judgmental space to talk through concerns and help you access support. 

TalkCampus is available 24/7 no matter where you are, and can provide a safe, anonymous space to talk and get the support you need.

Download the TalkCampus app