In today’s email, we’ll be covering:

• How to meet your flatmates, fellow commuters or other members of your college community

• Planning your journey to York
• Tickets for our official Welcome Week events
• Next steps

Welcome to Wentworth Graduate College!

Each college at York has its own distinct history and character, but all of us will provide you with opportunities to socialise, learn new skills and access support.

Next week, you will receive an invitation to join your college Google Classroom. Through this Classroom, you will be able to connect with others in your college, including your flatmates if applicable, and receive key updates regarding your arrival, orientation and welcome activities. 

Feeling excited? Follow us on social media to stay up to date with the latest college news, and explore our official homepage for more information about your new community!

Feeling a bit anxious? Your college is here to help you settle in.

• Register to attend one of our online Q&A sessions all about postgraduate and college life
• Complete our pre-arrival survey to be signposted to advice and support for common concerns, and to find out more about opportunities like college sport and music programmes. 

Preparing for your arrival

Arrival plans vary between each college. If you’re living on campus, you will get your arrival date in an email from Accommodation Services - look out for the subject “Your new home at York - Important information”. 

All college members should refer to our college new arrivals web pages for details on how to arrive and where to go. Additional information for on-campus residents can be found on our resident arrival webpages, including information on how check in to your accommodation. You may need to book a timeslot for your arrival. 

If you’re planning to live off campus, we have advice for moving into private sector accommodation. If you’re commuting to campus, take a look at the support we offer for local and commuting students. You can collect your University card from the Information Centre anytime from the start of postgraduate welcome week onwards.

Plan your travel into York: car, rail or air

See our travel and transport web pages for directions on how to get to York. If you’re living on campus, follow your college’s arrivals information for where to go.

If you are arriving from abroad, York is well connected by rail, road and public transport to many major UK airports. If you’re arriving into Manchester Airport, you may be able to request a place on our free Manchester Airport collection service. Spaces are allocated on a first come, first served basis, and must be booked in advance.

Packing lists: what to bring

Whether you’ll be living on or off campus, we’ve prepared a list of key items to bring (and leave at home!) to help you prepare for starting university. This includes what you’ll find waiting for you in your campus accommodation or recommendations for local or commuting students. 

If you’re in University accommodation, remember to bring a copy of your offer email and some form of photo identification to collect your room key – for example, passport, driving license card or national identity card.

Purchase your official Welcome Week tickets

Tickets for your official 2025 Welcome week events are now live. Organised by your college and the Students’ Union, these are the only events affiliated with and endorsed by the University of York.  

Unfortunately, a number of fake pages and social media accounts attempt to target incoming students each year. Check out York SU's guide to spotting fake tickets, and avoiding ticket scams to help you stay alert.

Reminder of key dates

• 31 August - Manchester Airport collection service booking deadline (postgraduates)

• Week beginning 1 September - Accommodation email with your room details

• 4 September - Manchester Airport collection service booking deadline (all students)

• 8 September -  Postgraduate arrivals, welcome and orientation begin 

• 11 September - Academic timetable released 

• 12 - 14 September - Undergraduate arrivals and welcome weekend (dates dependent on college)

• 12 September - Welcome Week begins

• 22 September - Teaching begins 

In case you missed it

Last week, we told you about our essential to-do arrivals checklists available on the MyUoY app and our welcome web pages. If you haven’t had a chance to complete these yet, please take a look now. 

Next Steps