Things to know this week

UoY community update

Respect at York: VLE update

Thank you to all new students who have so far completed their mandatory Respect at York training on ‘Understanding consent and being an active bystander’. We are aware of glitches for some users within the module, which our VLE team are currently investigating. 

Please continue to complete the relevant checkpoints within the course. Your completion will be noted within our systems, even if it shows as incomplete after you finish. You will not need to re-take the module.

Student card update 

You now need to wear your student card around campus. If you don’t yet have your University Card, you will receive an email in your University inbox notifying you when your card is ready to collect. Please don’t try to collect your card in person until you receive a notification email. In the meantime, you can access services with your digital student card on the MyUoY app. If you need a lanyard, ask at a Campus Reception in the Information Centre or Ron Cooke Hub.

Your student finance

If you have applied for a student loan, your funds are paid within five working days of the start of your programme, as long as you have completed enrolment. See our advice if you haven’t received your student loan by the end of Friday (25 September).

Are your contact details up to date?

Have you moved address for this academic year? All students need to check your term-time address is up to date in e:vision.

Support for disabled students

If you have a disability, learning difficulty, mental health difficulty or a long-term health condition, you may be eligible for academic support and adjustments. Contact Disability Services to access support and come to our disability advice drop-ins for answers to any questions you have. The deadline to provide supporting information for exam adjustments for the January 2027 assessment period is Friday 23 October. 

Returning students may notice a change in accessing their Student Support Plan following the launch of a new system at the end of last semester. See our update on how we are improving access to your Student Support Plan (SSP).

IT Support drop-ins this week

Struggling to connect to wifi? Unsure how to set up printing? Whatever your tech question, our friendly IT Support team is on hand to help you between 10am-4pm this week (Monday-Friday) in the Harry Fairhurst Building. Additional support sessions are on both Campus East and Campus West this Sunday (27 September) between 12pm-6pm.

Library entrance update

Works to improve the entranceway to the University Library continue, with full renovation expected to be completed by the end of October. In the meantime, students can continue to enter the Library via the alternative entrance in the Fairhurst Building, and enjoy the updated study spaces that have been renovated so far.

1. Get the most from Welcome 2026

We’re kickstarting the semester with a busy week across campus. To help you cut through the noise, we’ve rounded up our top stops and tools to set you up for success

  • Attend your official Welcome talk - meet your Student Union Officers and College Committee and discover what life at York is all about! 
  • Download the MyUoY app for easy access to the campus map, event listings, room bookings and more! 
  • Take the Find Your Feet self-guided tours across Campus East and West today (21 September) in order to claim your free drink and enter the prize draw. The trails cover key facilities, quiet spaces and offer a chance to meet student support services.
  • Mix and mingle with your fellow off-campus students at tomorrow’s Local and Commuting Student Mixer (Tuesday 22 September) 
  • Access All Areas with exclusive deals at York SU venues (Wednesday 23 September)
  • Explore podcasting suites, 3D printers and more creative tools you are able to use at the digital labs open afternoon (Wednesday 23 September)
  • Discover your passions at the York SU Welcome Fair (Saturday 26 September)

Joining us from overseas? Explore our additional International Welcome events to help you settle into York.

2. Look after yourself

Look after yourself during the welcome period. Please consider your safety and others:

  • Read our tips for staying safe on a night out, including who you can call on for help. 
  • Going on a York SU club night? Check out the York SU Night Safety Toolkit
  • Download the SafeZone app for 24/7 campus support
  • Stay together and avoid the rivers
  • Be considerate of your neighbours and keep noise levels down

Worried about a particular incident? Let us know and access resources via our online Report + Support tool. You can include your name, or report anonymously if you’d prefer.

3. What to do if you feel unwell

In a large community such as ours, we all need to do what we can to minimise the spread of infectious illnesses. Remember your student healthcare 1,2,3:

  • Register with a local doctor
  • Make sure your vaccinations are up to date
  • Fever, aches, coughs? Know symptoms of infectious illnesses such as meningitis
A graphic from Meningitis Now, featuring cartoon faces describing signs and symptoms for Meningitis and Septicaemia. Text reads: 'Symptoms can appear in any order. Some may not appear at all. 1. Fever, cold hands and feet. 2. Vomiting. 3. Drowsy, difficult to wake. 4. Confusion and irratibility. 5. Severe muscle pain. 6. Pale, blotchy skin, spots / rash. 7. Severe headache. 8. Stiff neck. 9. Dislike bright lights. 10. Convulsions / seizures.'

If you feel unwell, let someone know and seek medical help if you’re worried. See our student healthcare web page for more information and our self-certification of illness (sick leave) information for what to do if you’re ill and can’t attend teaching sessions.

4. New students: have you had your free Meningitis B vaccine? 

For this academic year, the government recommends new undergraduate students should be vaccinated against Meningitis B. To support this, there will be a free drop-in vaccination clinic on campus this week.

Unsure if you are eligible? Speak to staff at the vaccination clinic pop-up or check the UK government MenB guidelines for more information.

5. Part-time work on campus: Become a Student Ambassador

Looking for paid part-time work alongside your studies? Applications to become a Student Ambassador are now open, with options for undergraduate, postgraduate and international student roles. Offering flexible shifts, paid training and varied work, it’s also a great opportunity to learn new skills. Applications may close early if demand is high, so don’t delay!

Your voice

Colleges are much more than just a place to live - and college life extends far beyond Welcome Week! Hear from our committees on the opportunities provided by their college.

Play  

Offers, competitions and opportunities

  • Get 6 free laundry washes when you purchase a Wash Pass from Circuit Go - offer ends 31 October
  • Chances to win £500 food voucher with the Santander Universities ‘Fuel Your Studies’ prize draw
  • Save £60 on an annual York Sport membership using code FRESH26 before 6 October
  • Make a difference in York through volunteering - applications are now open for York Students in Schools and Community Projects in Semester 1

Jobs and opportunities

Log on to Handshake, our careers platform, for jobs and opportunities:

Handshake
Promotional banner to become a student ambassador

Find out more student news

See all updates for students on our website:

Student news

Things to know this week is produced and distributed by the University's Student Communications Team. Please email any feedback to 
student-communications@york.ac.uk.

Connect with us

Facebook Instagram TikTok YouTube LinkedIn

University of York
YO10 5DD, United Kingdom
www.york.ac.uk

Privacy notice