What to bring

All University kitchens contain:

• Fridges and freezers
• Ovens and hobs
• Sinks
• Kettles or water boilers
• Microwaves
• Toasters
• Cupboards
• Waste and recycling bins
• Cleaning equipment, eg a mop and bucket and a vacuum cleaner

All University bedrooms contain:

• A bed and mattress, with a mattress cover. Beds in Constantine College and Langwith College are 3/4 size, Band 2, 3 and 4 rooms in David Kato and Anne Lister College are 3/4 size, all other colleges have standard single beds.
• Desk and chair
• Desk lighting
• Wardrobe/storage
• Shelving
• Noticeboard
• Curtains or blinds
• Bin
• A wash basin and mirror (unless you have an en-suite)

If you have an en-suite, you will also have:

• A shower and/or bath
• Toilet
• Sink
• A mirror
• Storage/hooks

Please note:

• Communal bathrooms include toilet paper, but if you have an en-suite you'll need to bring your own.
• If you bring an extension cord, remember to bring it to your college's Portable Appliance Testing (PAT) session at the start of the academic year.

If you're not living on campus, check our advice and tips for moving in to private accommodation. You might also find our map of showers and food preparation facilities useful while you get settled in.

Contents insurance is included in the price of University accommodation. If you're living off campus, you should check if your rent includes contents insurance. If not, it is highly advisable to insure your personal belongings against loss, theft, accidental damage and fire.

We also have useful information for students who live locally or who will be commuting to York.

Photo ID

It is very important to bring photo ID (passport, driving licence, citizen card or national identity card) with you. You will need this to prove your identity and to pick up your University card and room key (if in university accommodation).

Bring your UCAS letter, loan letter (if you have one), bank account details and any correspondence from the University or your department.

Visa

If you're an international student make sure you have the correct type of visa and paperwork with you. For more information see New international students - what to bring.

Plan to have enough money to cover your first few weeks here as your loan or bursary may not come through straight away.

You'll need money to live on, attend social events, and to join all the student societies you want to in your first few weeks.

See emergency loans if you get into difficulties.

Bring a basic set of stationery including pens, pencils and writing pads.

If your department has a Preparing to study site, check to see if you need any specific academic equipment or books.

You might need:

• Kitchenware - see above for appliances supplied in campus accommodation or, if you're living off-campus, check what your landlord provides. You'll probably be able to share some items with your housemates but you'll need the basics like your own pan, knife, fork and spoon, bowl, plate and mug.
• Bedding - quilt, sheet, pillow, bed covers. Beds in Constantine College and Langwith College are 3/4 size, Band 2-3 rooms in David Kato and Anne Lister College are 3/4 size, and Band 4 rooms in David Kato and Anne Lister College are  3/4 size, all other colleges have standard single beds.
• Extension leads - your room may not have many electrical sockets so bring a multi-socket extension lead - it should be a UK bar adaptor with a fuse. Make sure you take this to your college's Portable Appliance Testing (PAT) session at the start of the academic year.
• Adapters - if you’re an international student, remember to bring UK electric plug adapters.
• An iron - our colleges provide ironing boards in the kitchens or at reception, but no irons.
• Coathangers 
• Washing basket or bag

Toilet rolls are provided in shared bathrooms but you will need to buy your own toilet roll if you have an en-suite in your University bedroom or if you're living off campus.

If you bring a television and will be watching BBC iPlayer or live TV then you'll need to buy a TV licence. However, most rooms on campus have poor reception and you may find your TV doesn't work, so check before you buy a TV licence. There will be a TV in your college common room.

If you're living off campus and will be watching BBC iPlayer or live TV, you'll need to buy a licence when you get here.

You will need to buy a TV licence even if you watch BBC iPlayer or live TV on your computer. Find out more about buying a licence.

Computers

You don't have to bring a computer to campus as there are plenty of computer rooms for students, but you may want to bring PC, laptop or tablet for use in your bedroom. You’ll be able to connect these to 

the campus wifi or wired network.

Did you know as a student at York you can download a free version of Microsoft 365 on your personal computer, laptop or device? 

Printers

You don’t need to bring a printer with you, as printers are available across campus via our print, copy and scan service. 

But if you do decide to bring your own, you won’t be able to connect it to the campus wifi or wired network. You’ll need to connect it directly to your computer using a USB cable (most printers include one of these in the box) and make sure the printer’s wireless functionality is switched off.

Games consoles and smart devices

Certain games consoles and specific smart home devices can connect to our ‘mydevices’ network on campus. See wired network for more information .

You will need to register your device with us so that they can connect to the network. As part of the registration process, you'll need to provide your device's MAC address.

The following devices are known to work on the mydevices network, please find instructions for how to connect them below:

• Amazon Echo/Dot
• Xbox
• PlayStation
• Nintendo

You may try to connect other smart home devices to the mydevices network however we cannot guarantee that they will connect or work with full functionality if they do connect. 

This network should not be used to connect laptops, phones or tablets- please connect these devices to the eduroam network.  

You can also use the same registration page to register your games consoles for the wired network. If you need a network cable, you can collect one from the University Library.

We are a cycle friendly campus and York is a Cycle City. We have external bike sheds so bring a good quality lock and chain (or buy a high quality discounted lock from Your Shop in Market Square when you get here).

You can buy a recycled bike after you get here from the many unwanted bikes cleared from campus. Find out more about recycled bikes.

You can bring an e-bike, but ensure that it meets the Government guidance and that you follow the correct procedures for charging it.

Storage space is limited so don't bring large TVs, your own furniture or lots of personal belongings.

There are large communal fridges in campus accommodation. If you require a fridge for medicine, please contact Accommodation Services (you should include this in the application form when you apply for accommodation). 

There are several laundrettes on campus for your laundry. 

If you're in private accommodation, check what is provided with your landlord.

Unfortunately, we don't allow personal kitchen appliances such as kettles, toasters, air fryers or rice cookers to be brought into accommodation. See the list at the top of the page for appliances supplied in campus accommodation or, if you're living off-campus, check what your landlord provides.

Don't bring your personal electric scooters. It's illegal to use electric scooters on public roads, pavements, in cycle lanes and in pedestrian-only areas. They can only be used on private land with the landowner's permission.

You can bring an e-bike but ensure that it follows the rules around using e-bikes and that you follow guidance for charging it safely.

Sorry, we don't allow pets in campus accommodation. If you're in private sector accommodation, check with your landlord.

Don't bring anything that could be a fire hazard, eg candles, oil burners, or a chip pan. If you're in campus accommodation, don't bring mains operated fairy lights, though battery operated lights are okay. You'll be told more about fire regulations during your college induction.

Please do not bring fireworks, sparklers or anything similar onto campus.

Some smart home accessories (smart bulbs, smart plugs, etc) will not work on the University campus network.

If you’re living on campus, the University provides wifi and wired networking for you to use.

You are not allowed to use any of the following on the campus network. They can cause significant disruption and/or pose security risks.

• Switches and repeaters not authorised by IT Services
• Network routers of any kind
• Any device which can provide DHCP services or otherwise offer IP addresses - this includes:
• Personal and domestic routers
• Personal firewall devices
• Personal hotspots such as mifi devices
• Laptops or PCs set up to provide Internet Connection Sharing or its equivalent
• Wireless access points or wifi repeaters/extenders not installed and managed by IT Services.
• Network printers
• You don’t need to bring a printer with you, as printers are available across campus via our York Print Plus service. 
• But if you do decide to bring your own, you won’t be able to connect it to the campus wifi or wired network. You’ll need to connect it directly to your computer using a USB cable (most printers include one of these in the box) and make sure the printer’s wireless functionality is switched off.

You cannot smoke in campus accommodation. If you're in private sector accommodation, check your contract.

Sticking posters on your walls can leave marks or even remove the paint, and you could be charged if the room needs redecorating when you move out. Use the noticeboard in your room for your pictures and posters.

Do not bring anything which could be classed as an offensive weapon, even if it is ornamental.

Do not bring your car. Most undergraduates who live on campus cannot park here - there's great public and campus transport to and around the University.

There are some exceptions for people who have special circumstances, live outside York, are studying on certain courses, and Halifax College has limited student parking permits available on a first-come, first-served basis. Check student parking permit eligibility.