Welcome to Warwick. Your guide to making the most of your time here

Whether it’s your first time at university, or you’re new to Warwick, there is so much to explore that you might wonder where to begin. So, if you’re looking for tips on what to pack, want to learn more about the best spots on campus, or are curious to see what our local areas have to offer, our Welcome to Warwick guide has got you covered. 

Read on to discover all the amazing things that will make your time here at Warwick unforgettable. 

What should I bring with me to university? 

As well as all your essentials, here are a few small things that might help you out during your first few weeks at university: 

• A doorstop: A small and inexpensive item to pack, but one that might go a long way! Doorstops are an easy way to meet new people in your halls of residence and encourage new neighbours and friends to stop by your room for a chat. 
   
• Portable phone charger: With so much going on during Freshers week, you might be spending long days and nights away from your room, and therefore a plug socket. Bring a portable charger so you can stay connected to friends, navigate your way around campus and manage your schedule.
   
• Photos and posters: Make your room feel a bit more like home by adding a pop of colour and personality with photos and posters. 
   
• Ear plugs: Another small item, but one that might come in handy when living in communal spaces! 
   
• Plug adapters: If you’re an international student, then don’t forget to bring plenty of international plug adapters so you can keep your devices powered up at all times. 

I’m an international student - is there anything I need to do now I’ve arrived at Warwick? 

Yes, now you’re at Warwick there are a few things you’ll need to do, including opening a UK bank account, getting a UK phone number, attending your Right to Study appointment, and more. Take a look at the arrival checklist that the International Student Support team have put together to make sure you’re on track when you arrive. 

Where are the best places to eat and drink on campus?

When it comes to food and drink on campus, there are endless convenient and tasty options! Below we’ve highlighted a few of our favourites, but you can explore the full list of food and drink spots here. 

• WBS café: Looking for a coffee-pick-me-up or a bite to eat between studying? Pop down to the WBS café (ground floor) where you’ll find delicious pastries, cakes, and hot food. 
   
• NAIC Café: Located on the ground floor of the Lord Bhattacharyya Building and a 10-minute walk away from the WBS building, the NAIC Café serves up delicious coffee and great food. If you’re in a rush, you can pick up a coffee and a pastry or a cold sandwich, or if you have more time, try one of their popular hot breakfasts or lunches. 
   
• Warwick Uni Wednesdays: If variety is what you’re after, then head to the Piazza for our weekly Wednesday food market. Featuring an array of food and drink vendors offering mouth-watering street food and local produce, you’ll be spoilt for choice. 
   
• Ganapathi Catering: A favourite among University of Warwick students- and for good reason! You’ll find Ganapathi Catering in the Computer Science Quadrant, where they are serving up a selection of Indian cuisine. From dosas and samosas to curries to biriyanis- there’s something for everyone. Meat and vegetarian options are available. 
   
• Fusion Sports Bar: Enjoy delicious food, a great variety of drinks and live sports at Warwick’s Fusion Bar. Close by, you’ll also find Jidong, where you’ll find a range of authentic and refreshing bubble tea drinks- perfect to enjoy whilst you’re with friends or studying. 
   
• Terrace Bar: Situated on the first floor of the SU Atrium and with fantastic views over the main Piazza, Terrace Bar is the ideal spot to unwind and enjoy your favourite drink. With regular events and special drink offers, it’s sure to become your go-to destination on campus. 

Throughout the year, many of our food and drink venues will feature offers and discounts; so make sure to keep an eye out for their latest offers.  

What activities can I do on campus? 

Our campus has so much to offer, from the arts to sports, and much more. Below are some of our top recommendations for things to do, but you can also explore everything else we have to offer here.  

• Societies and clubs: At Warwick, you’ll find over 250 student-run societies and sports clubs, providing countless opportunities to try something new or continue with something you already share a passion for. Providing the perfect opportunity to meet new friends and take a break from studying - explore what we have on offer. 
   
• Warwick Arts Centre: At the heart of campus, our recently refurbished Warwick Arts Centre features a range of cultural spaces including theatres, three cinemas, a concert hall, a Music Centre, an art gallery and a restaurant. Regularly attracting some of the best national and international theatre, comedy, dance and music acts, there’s always something exciting to enjoy here. 
  
  As a student at Warwick, you’ll have access to exclusive offers for many events! Find out more here. 
   
• Sports and Wellness Hub: If you’re into sports, then look no further than our state-of-the-art Sports and Wellness Hub. Here you’ll find our gym offering over 200 fitness stations, fitness studios offering more than 100 fitness classes, a climbing centre, a 25-metre swimming pool, squash courts, pitches and much more. 

Where are the best places to study on campus? 

Warwick has many study spaces which are all centrally located, making them easy to access. We’ve listed a few below, but make sure to visit the Study Spaces webpage or take a virtual tour of all our spaces, to find out more. You can also use our helpful study space tool to discover spaces that match your study style.

• The library: Located on University Road and the largest of the study spaces, our library is spread over 5 floors, featuring quiet zones, relaxation spaces, a café, and much more.  Open 24/7 during term time. 
   
• Postgraduate spaces: If you’re a Postgraduate student, there are multiple study spaces to choose from. You can visit the Postgraduate hub on Floor 2 of the Junction building where you’ll find study spaces for both individual and group study, as well as bookable rooms and relaxation spaces. They also host weekly and one-off events throughout the year such as PG Tips. You can also study at the Wolfson Research Exchange Centre- a space dedicated to all Postgraduate researchers at Warwick, offering quiet and collaborative spaces for study.
   
• Faculty of Arts building: Located in the heart of campus, the recently renovated Faculty of Arts Building is the perfect place to study or collaborate with others. A modern and bright space, this impressive building features seminar rooms, individual and collaborative tables, rehearsal rooms, theatre studios, rehearsal rooms, a Café Nero, and more. 

Where can I find out more information about travelling on and around campus? 

You can visit the Campus Journey web pages where you’ll find everything you need to help navigate your journeys on and around campus. Find out more about our local bus services, access the latest travel information and updates, find information for cyclists, take a look at our interactive campus map, and much more. 

Where are the best places to go food shopping when living on campus?

• Rootes Grocery Store: If you’re living on campus, Rootes Grocery Store is a convenient option for your shopping, located just next to the central Piazza. 
   
• Cannon Park Shopping Centre: Located about a 15-minute’ walk from the central campus is Cannon Park Shopping Centre. Here you’ll find Tesco’s, as well as a range of other eateries such as Greggs, Costa, and Subway. You’ll also find fashion and beauty stores, opticians, Post Office, and much more.  Located just next to Cannon Park you’ll also find Aldi. 

If you want to explore more of our services, please visit our shopping pages for information on our on-campus amenities such as our Amazon lockers, the Post Office and the Bookshop. 

I want to explore the local area - where should I go? 

If you’re looking for things to do in our local area, you won’t be struggling for choice. Take a look below at what our local area has to offer. 

• Coventry: The home city of the University of Warwick, Coventry has a whole host of places to visit. Explore a range of cuisines at one of Coventry’s many restaurants, or head to some of the City’s most historical sites of interest such as Coventry Cathedral and St Mary’s Guildhall. If you’re in the mood to get competitive, head to Boom Battle Bar to enjoy crazy golf, axe throwing, shuffleboards and much more. For a vibrant mix of artisan food traders, vinyl record shops, a craft Brewery and more, head to FarGo village; located in a repurposed industrial estate just outside the city centre. It’s also a lively event space, regularly hosting exciting events and activities.
   
• Leamington Spa: Located less than 10 miles from the University of Warwick, Leamington Spa is a picturesque regency spa town, featuring a wide range of independent shops, bars and restaurants. For live music, you can head to venues like Temperance Bar, The Assembly, or Bedford Street Bar. Or, if you’re looking to relax and soak in some greenery, there are multiple beautiful parks such as Jephson’s Gardens and the Pump Room Gardens. 
   
• Stratford Upon Avon: As the birthplace of William Shakespeare, Stratford Upon Avon offers a charming mix of historical and cultural attractions. Visit the Royal Shakespeare Company theatre, enjoy a riverside walk, experience the many shops and eateries, and much more. 

If I’m looking for support, where should I go? 

At Warwick, we are always here to support you. We have a variety of in-person and online support services available. 

Take a look at our Support Services webpage to find out about our different services, including Wellbeing Support Services, Disability Services, Student Funding Support and much more. 

What academic resources and support are available to me? 

• Personal Tutors: Your Tutor is there to help you settle in at Warwick and ensure you have a successful academic experience. Find out more about personal tutors and hear from Warwick Medical School student Katie Fisher, as she explains how Personal Tutors can support you. 
   
• Research & Academic Support Librarians: No matter what discipline or level of study you are at, our subject specialist librarians can support your learning, research, and teaching. Whether you’re looking to develop your critical skills or want to find out how to use specialist search tools and databases, our Research and Academic Support Librarians can help you. Find out more. 
   
• The Library’s online courses: The Library offers an extensive range of online courses aimed at supporting you with topics such as referencing, avoiding plagiarism, research, presenting, and more. Explore the full range of courses. You can also watch their ‘Using the Library’ video series to help you find your way around. 
   
• IT services: IT services have a wealth of information and resources for new starters at Warwick, covering everything from accessing your email and IT account, to help using Moodle- Warwick’s virtual learning platform. 
   
• Postgraduate resources: Whether you’re a Master’ student or a postgraduate researcher, there are plenty of resources and services on offer to help you during your studies. Explore our Postgraduate resources here. 

What career support is available to me during my time at Warwick? 
 

• Careers Plus team (Warwick Business School): If you are a Warwick Business School student, you can utilise our dedicated CareersPlus team. There to help you maximise your career opportunities, they offer a range of personalised services such as career coaching, skills workshops, networking opportunities, and more. 
  
  Hear from some of our WBS students as they share how the CareersPlus team supported them throughout their studies. 
   
• Careers team: The University Careers team offers in-person and remote services to help with your career planning.  This includes job searching and application support and guidance, career-focused consultations, events, and workshops; and much more. Find out more about our Careers team.