Welcome to York! We're thrilled you'll be joining us this semester

Over the next few weeks, we’ll email you key information to help you prepare for life at York. Today’s email will cover the key steps you will need to complete first.

Feeling excited? Make sure to follow us on social media as we build up to your arrival:

We’ll use your official University of York email address to communicate with you - with the format of username@york.ac.uk. Your academic department may be in touch before the start of semester with possible module options so it’s really important to check your York email inbox regularly to stay up to date. You can access it via the Google Gmail website or the Google Gmail app.

Make sure you download the MyUoY app to find quick and easy links to student essentials such as your timetable, campus map, digital Library card, study space bookings and campus food and drink loyalty scheme. 

On the app, we have checklists to help you work your way through key welcome tasks. Swipe right on the app 'essentials', select the checklist most relevant to you, and work your way through our recommended steps.

If you can’t download the app, you can also find the checklists on our welcome pages:

Every year, a number of fake accounts and groups try to target new university students and scam them into sharing information or buying fake event tickets  - see fake accounts, groups and pages that we’ve been made aware of.

If you want to chat with other new students before you arrive, join our official online welcome group on York For Life. Your invitation to join will be sent to your personal email address from next week.

Regardless of whether you live on campus or not, you become a member of one of our 11 colleges when you start studying with us. You’ll be able to chat online with fellow college members - including your housemates if you’re living on campus - in our private College Google Classrooms when they open in early September. Your invitation to join will go to your University email address.

If you are planning to live on campus, you’ll get your arrival date in your official accommodation offer email sent to your University email address at the start of September. It’s important to know you will not be able to access your accommodation before this arrival date. 

It’s also important to know that we never offer discounts on tuition or accommodation fees through third parties. Question anything that seems unusual and learn how to spot scams.

If you’re not living on campus, see our help with finding private sector accommodation. Our Student Hub advisers provide advice and support if you’re living off campus and we have a handy moving in checklist for your first key tasks.

We know you’re raring to go and we’re planning a wide range of welcome events to help you settle in. Whether you enjoy low-key socialising over a coffee or board game or whether you like to explore the city’s nightlife, there is something for everyone.

The only University-endorsed welcome events are those offered by our University of York Students’ Union (York SU), colleges and communities teams. There are a range of free events, whilst larger events are ticketed. Event tickets go on sale on Tuesday 25 August 2026 via the York SU website. Please be wary of other promoters or pages claiming to provide welcome events

For more information on official events and tickets, follow York SU’s official accounts below and keep an eye on your emails!

Work through your new student checklist and our welcome pages and we’ll be in touch next week with more information about how you can make the most of life at York.

We look forward to seeing you soon!