Community at York

It’s not long now until we welcome you to York - we can’t wait! Here are some ways we’ll help you to settle in and meet your people.

Together York

You’re joining a community of learning and enquiry at the University of York and we are proud to have been named Community University of the Year by The Mail University Guide 2026. We promise you will be challenged intellectually and supported to achieve and thrive. We invite all members of the community to join together in upholding and developing our priorities and expectations.

We are all York For Life

You should have received your invitation to join York For Life, our online platform helping you to connect with other new students. After you begin your studies, you’ll also be able to connect with UoY alumni and see our programme of events, opportunities and offers. Your invitation to join is sent to your personal email address.

Meet your academic department

Your academic department is getting ready to welcome you.

Make sure to keep checking your University email inbox to keep up to date.

For taught students, your timetable is released on Wednesday 16 September and Teaching Week 1 begins on Monday 28 September. See our guide to semesters for more information about how the academic year works at York.

Settle into your college

Regardless of whether you live on campus or not, you are a member of one of our colleges when you study with us. 

If you’re not sure, you can find out which college you’re a member of by checking e:vision, your student record.

Your college is your neighbourhood, a place to make friends and connections and get involved from week one. Take advantage of college facilities to help you study and relax.

Key postgraduate welcome events

Don’t miss our free Postgraduate Welcome Afternoon on Thursday 17 September for your chance to connect with other postgraduates and learn more about services and opportunities. 

The event kicks off with our Postgraduate Welcome Talk at 2.30pm, featuring your official welcome with the Vice-Chancellor and Students’ Union reps  - register your attendance for your free drink!

Then, from 3pm, there’s the Postgraduate Information Fair with key university services, student groups and the Students’ Union ready to let you know about everything you can get involved with. Tickets not required for entry.

Finally, our festival-inspired Postgraduate Welcome Party starts at 7pm, hosted by our Postgraduate Communities Team and York SU, with live music, dancing, games and drinks. It’s a chance to unwind and connect with fellow postgraduates. Entry is free but book your place.

And that’s not all - check out other events to welcome postgraduates from our Postgraduate Communities Team and York SU!

Find Your Feet

One of the first things to do on campus is our Find Your Feet trail. We’ve put together two self-guided campus trails across Campus West and Campus East to help you find your way and introduce key services. 

Follow the trail on Monday 21 or Tuesday 22 September and you’ll get a voucher for a free hot drink or snack at the end of the trail on Campus West and a chance to enter a prize draw to win York Gift Cards at the end of the Campus East trail! 

Support for your career 

Our Careers and Placements team has an extensive range of resources to support your career development while you’re at York, including specific guidance for taught and research students. Come meet them at the Postgraduate Welcome Afternoon on Thursday 17 September.

We can help if you’re looking for a part-time job whilst you study, whether that’s to progress your career or just help with costs. Follow uoycareers on Instagram for vacancies in York, and find out more about working while you study.

As soon as you enrol, you’ll be able to access Handshake, our online careers platform. It’s the quickest way to contact our Careers and Placements team and you’ll also find jobs, internships and placements, discover upcoming events, browse volunteering opportunities and book appointments.

Money matters

Just to let you know that, if you have had your Student Finance approved, then funds are released 3-5 working days after the start of your course. For most students, this means you should receive your maintenance loan payment by Friday 25 September. Make sure you have enough money to cover your costs in the meantime. If you haven't received your funds by Monday 28 September then contact the Student Hub: student-hub@york.ac.uk.

What you should be doing now

• Work through your new student checklist and the information on our welcome web pages
• Check your arrivals information
• Browse our welcome events and book your place
• Complete your mandatory training in your online induction on ‘Understanding consent and being an active bystander'
• Join in the conversation in our York For Life online welcome group - you should have received an invitation to your personal email address

Got questions?

For queries about your course, your academic department will be in touch - keep an eye on your University email inbox.

For campus accommodation queries, contact Accommodation Services: accommodation@york.ac.uk.

For more information about student life at York, fill in our student life further information form.

Missed any emails?

If you’ve only recently enrolled then you may have missed previous emails - see: