Parents of Warwick freshers 2026

[Fabfabfab]

I can see some of the other Universities have a thread so thought I'd set one up for Warwick too :). DC is looking forward to starting in September and will be studying History BA.

Thanks for the thread, @Fabfabfab, great idea! DS will also be starting in September to do PPE. 🙂

I just popped on from the other thread to say my DC is at Warwick and is really enjoying their time there. It’s important to join society’s because they all do circling on a Wednesday which is unique to Warwick. If you join a sports society you don’t even need to be in the team etc but can still join in all the social events. Accommodation is great especially any near the lakes. Only a 10 min walk to and from lectures and you bump into fellow students which you get to know better on the walks. It’s easy to get to Birmingham for gigs, clubs and shopping. Leamington Spa is popular for Yr 2 and 3 house shares. As are in fact the private halls for yr 2 and 3 as you can choose to share with friends in Halls type flats. It’s a beautiful campus very green. Easy enough train links to London or wherever. Each room has an Ethernet socket under the table so buy a cable as it improves the Internet 🛜 connection significantly. If you’re a second late uploading any assignments you will be penalised so no last minute nonsense. Go to lectures and keep up. They will have to put in the work because they have high expectations but the first term is usually a breeze and for some the whole first year but keep on top of everything. If you’re ill they do not care there are no mitigating circs for having flu or whatever. Send an email by all means but get work done asap. Also their washing machines have powder and softener incorporated so no need to bring any but also means you can use what you’re used to.

• You can’t use what you’re used to

Thanks for starting the thread. My daughter is starting in September to study PPL (similar to PPE but Law instead of Economics). Thanks for all the tips too.

Not a breeze as such but first term like any uni they even the students out such as with maths if you didn’t take FM they level those up in first term

Hi 👋 @Fabfabfabjust jumping on here as I recognised your name from a previous thread - I think both our DCs were potentially going to be at same college at Durham? I can see now that your DC will be at Warwick - congratulations! My DC is also not going to Durham - missed offer one grade (just by a few marks) and they would not exercise any discretion. I was quite surprised! We are having a remark done but tbh he’s quite happy to focus on his insurance choice now so all worked out ok in the end. Results day was a lot though!

Hello! My DD also missed her Durham offer by one grade, 5 marks, but is delighted with Warwick. After the exam she really felt it was a B so I think she’d already adjusted her expectations. She’s really excited about her sport and joining various societies.
She is just so ready for the next step and I’m so proud of her.

Thanks @Fabfabfab - joining as now know DS will be starting at Warwick too, so handy to see the helpful info on here.

Thank you @PeonyBulb that's really helpful! Not heard of circling before but will get DC to look at the societies :)

Good luck to all. My dd spent 4 years at Warwick and had a fabulous time. She graduated in 2019.

Agree, very helpful tips @PeonyBulb, thank you!

@bettyboo40, DS looked at PPL at the Warwick open day when trying to decide on his subject. It looks like a fab degree! They might end up in some classes together 🙂

@Madmoomoo and @pinkdelight, which subjects will your DC be doing?

@loopylocks well remembered! @Madmoomoo Sounds like Admissions at Durham were pretty brutal this year. DC ended up with 2 x Astars and a B when he needed AstarAA and was rejected even though the average grade would have been the same. Luckily he is now starting to get really excited for Warwick instead and loves the idea of the excellent sport programme. Hoping accommodation will be sorted next week and that he gets the Unibuddy log in.

Does anyone know when the moving in date is? I know @ComingInByAnsible put a helpful link to the term dates on another thread where it says campus arrivals are between the 24-27th of September. Guessing it will depends on which halls they are in. Is anyone planning to bring their car or is parking a nightmare? If DC ends up in off campus halls he may choose to do so but guessing there will be good bus links too.

Parking is not a nightmare at all. Plenty of spaces outside halls. They give you dates to choose from and times to move in. Obviously they are flexible re times on the day re traffic etc. you collect keys etc at the gate. Also due to lots of kitchen items etc being discarded every year in perfect condition they have a very cheap sale in the sports hall or a hall so definitely worth checking out on arrival. Some refurbished halls kitchens may have induction hobs so check in advance. This is where the kitchen item sale comes in handy for pots and pans.

There is a very handy industrial estate at the NE end of campus with supermarkets, electrical stores and all sorts. They have their own post office on site so you’ll need their student ID, Halls info and room number to post items.

John Smith
12345689
Hall Name and building No ie 2
Flat No room No
University of Warwick
Coventry
CV4 7ES

They also have Amazon lockers on site

Letters go straight to their Halls

There is a FB Warwick parents page. I know my DC said some of his friends DM met up and became friends from there. There is a GP surgery on campus so sign up to that one they’re very good not ones outside that try to get you to sign up further away.

If they need to go to hospital then go to Warwick or Birmingham. Warwick has a shorter waiting time.

DC did not like going into Coventry but there is a bus dedicated to and from uni campus for weekly nightclubs there.

Also they have very good security and separate welfare on site so if you’re desperately worried about your DC they will check on them. Or if your DC are worried about another student they do a check.

Good luck and congratulations to all going to Warwick. I studied there and loved it. I moved away for ten years (jobs in London and abroad) and then, as you'll guess from this user name, moved back.
There's a fabulous arts venue and the sports cetis great. DD climbs there every week and has since she was small and the wall is fantastic. There is lots going on with other sports too.
And don't believe everything said by those who are dismissive of Coventry. I've chosen to live here for the past 25 years and don't want to move. I much prefer it to London (which is a 55 minute fast train to Euston if you do want to go there...).

DS is doing compsci. Appreciating all the tips!

Actually I think the leftover kitchen items might be free not 100% sure as we discovered after having bought everything.

Having a DC already at Warwick (and being a uni lecturer), I’m gently advising that although this thread is really positive in sharing all you need to know, but use it to pose the questions to your adult DC and let them find out, solve the problem and begin to take the lead.

This is their new life, time to begin the transition in organising for themselves. They will find WhatsApp groups, share information, make connections and take the lead.

I learnt to back off, especially when I was trying to help to unpack and DC said straight out ‘leave that, I want to do it’.

Of course they do! Fly young people!

@Covsouth, lovely to read a positive view on Coventry. What are your favourite aspects/parts of the city? From my own time at Warwick, I remember the very moving Cathedral and, of course, Lady Godiva!

I saw that the city centre is being redeveloped, is that causing a lot of disruption at the moment? Are our freshers likely to see any completed work while at Warwick? Sorry for all the questions 🙂

The redevelopment of Coventry South has only just started, so unless your YP is already planning a PhD, I wouldn't hold your breath. At the moment, there is little or no disruption. Buses to the station or to Coventry City Centre are running as usual.

Gently, we know this and don’t need lecturing. It’s just nice to chat things over on here. Doesn’t mean we need parenting lessons.

DS is starting too in September. It was his 1st choice so very pleased he's made it.

@OSGum was about to say similar. Please remember they are adults and it will be ok. Part of university is learning about life more generally. Whilst very specific things eg the washing machines in halls dispense soap is useful, other things your dc will need to work out what works for them. Finally someone mentioned the hospitals are in Warwick and Birmingham, actually the nearest is Coventry and it’s good, unless specialist care is needed which they don’t have that’s where they will be sent