Moving in

 Announcement

September 2023 Arrivals

Welcome weekend for hall arrivals is on 16 and 17 September 2023. Please note some contracts may begin earlier - please contact the Accommodation Bureau if you are unsure. For partnership and direct-let halls, please check your contract or with your accommodation provider.

Collecting your keys

For halls of residence, you'll collect your keys from the hall office on site. Please ensure you bring some ID with you such as a passport or similar. You can find the address under the 'location' tab on the hall's webpage.

The majority of contracts for our September 2023 starters will begin on the Saturday of the September Welcome Weekend (Saturday 16 and Sunday 17 September 2023). If you intend to arrive in Oxford before this date, please contact us or your hall provider as soon as possible.

University-managed halls

The University-managed halls are Cheney Student Village, Clive Booth Student Village, Clive Booth Postgraduate Centre, Crescent Hall, Friar Court, Harcourt Hill Hall, Paul Kent Hall, Warneford Hall and Westminster Hall.

If you accept a room in any of these halls, we will contact you by email in January 2023 to advise you on the arrivals process.

If you'll be arriving outside of our hall office hours, please email accomm@brookes.ac.uk to let us know. You'll need to call the security team on +44 (0) 1865 483060 when you arrive and they will arrange for someone to come and meet you.

These halls can be contacted regarding specific arrival, maintenance and room enquiries. For any booking, payment and general enquiries, please continue to contact the Accommodation Bureau.

Partnership and private halls

If you will be living in a partnership or private hall, they will provide you with their own arrivals information. Please contact them directly with any questions.

Friar Court and Brookes Lettings shared houses

The Lettings team will contact you directly to arrange key collection.

Please feel free to contact them at lettings@brookes.ac.uk with any questions.

Arrivals

Welcome Weekend

We are looking forward to you joining us. There will be a wide range of welcome events and support services available at the Headington Campus for all our new students.

More details on the Welcome Weekend will be linked here closer to the time.


Travel

The university has directions and maps available on the website if you unsure on how to reach our campuses. They also have information on travelling to Oxford from UK airports and other UK cities. Find out more about Getting to Oxford Brookes.

Please see the specific hall pages or your license to occupy for exact hall addresses.

The University is committed to delivering sustainable travel for its students, staff and wider community. For local travel, we encourage the use of public transport options like the BROOKESbus network. Cycling is also very popular and a common way to get around the city.

Students sitting outside the John Henry Brookes Building
A Brookes bus traveling by the university

BROOKESkey

Students living in University Halls of Residence are eligible for an Inclusive Travel Pass through the Oxford Bus Company. More information on other discounts and travel offers can be found on the BROOKESkey webpage.

Students must have access to their Brookes before applying for the BROOKESkey therefore please make sure you do not apply until after you enrol. You will receive a temporary QR code in your welcome email which will give you free travel on the Brookes buses from Monday 23 January to Friday 17 February (midnight) which will give you plenty of time to apply after you enrol.


Arriving from overseas

If you are coming from overseas it may be that you cannot arrive during arrivals weekend. If you need to arrive at a different time please contact us or your hall directly so they know when to expect you.

Our International Student Advice Team provide useful information and support for students arriving from overseas. Please feel free to contact them if needed.

What to bring

Your basic packing list

Check the hall webpage to find out what’s provided in your room and in the flat. Below is a guide to help you pack.

  • the basics: clothes, toiletries, books, laptop and other study equipment
  • bedding. Bring your own duvet, pillows and bedsheets
  • photo ID. You'll need your driving license or passport to check into your hall and also enrol on your course
  • headphones. Ear plugs can be useful too if you're a light sleeper
  • enough food supplies for the first few days
  • medication. If you take regular medication, make sure you’ve got enough with you and know how you will restock. You can register with the medical centre at Brookes. Also, Freshers’ flu is a real thing! So bring tissues, tea bags…
  • bringing a bike? There’s bike storage at our halls. We recommend you bring a hefty D-lock and a cable lock so you can secure both the frame and the wheels
  • plug-in fairy lights are not allowed because they are a fire risk. You can bring battery powered ones instead
  • no clothing racks or airers - there are laundry facilities at each hall for you to use instead

Kitchen packing list

All the flats have basic cleaning equipment, ie mop and vacuum cleaner. Although the communal areas will get a clean by us once a week, it’s your responsibility to do keep things tidy, do your washing up, and take the bins out. 

  • bring your own crockery, cutlery, your favourite mug
  • bring pots*, pans* and other cooking equipment. If you already have cooking equipment then bring it. If you don’t then we recommend you wait until you arrive and see what your new flatmates have brought with them first. You can always organise a trip down to the shops with them to get what you need for the flat
  • you can bring small kitchen appliances like a toastie maker or slow cooker. Ensure that your item has a UK fused plug. We recommend that you don’t buy a toaster for £5 as they break easily and can trip the electricity in your flat!
  • fridges. Unless you require one for medication then you’re not allowed a fridge in your bedroom. Large fridges and freezers are provided in the kitchens for everyone to share
  • any item with a non-UK fused plug (it trips the electricity!)
*Please be aware that Paul Kent Hall (all flats) and Westminster Hall (flats H3 and J1) have induction hobs so make sure you bring or buy suitable pots and pans.

Restricted items

You are not allowed to bring into halls items which we consider to present a health and safety risk, disturb the peaceful living of another occupant or are liable to cause damage.

  • animals
  • bean bags
  • beer brewing kits
  • candles, joss sticks, incense, hookah pipes, any naked flame burner
  • compressed gas canisters
  • curtains - these are provided
  • dartboards
  • DJ mixing decks, amplifiers, drum kit or large speakers
  • drones
  • excessively large items such as kayaks, motorised scooters and inflatable furniture
  • heating appliances, barbeques, deep fat fryers, fridges or freezers
  • cube/block plug adaptors
  • offensive weapons including replica guns, knives and ceremonial swords
  • skateboards
  • training weights
  • washing machines - there are laundry facilities at each hall
  • plug-in fairy lights are not allowed because they are a fire risk. You can bring battery powered ones instead
  • no clothing racks or airers - there are laundry facilities at each hall for you to use instead
  • no overdoor hooks/hangers as these damage the fire doors
  • fridges. Unless you require one for medication then you’re not allowed a fridge in your bedroom. Large fridges and freezers are provided in the kitchens for everyone to share
  • any item with a non-UK fused plug (it trips the electricity!)
  • skateboards - you are welcome to bring these but please do not use them on-site at your hall
  • scooters (non-motorised) - you are welcome to bring these but please do not use them on-site at your hall
  • take charge of battery safety when using e-cigarettes

Contact us

Opening hours

  • Monday-Thursday: 9.30am to 4.00pm
  • Friday: 9.30am to 3.30pm
  • Phone lines are open Monday-Thursday 9.00am to 4.30pm and Friday 9.00am to 4.00pm