It is widely established that arriving at university can be a confusing and disorientating experience; a world away from sixth form and college. Educators, researchers and policy makers within higher education, are in agreement that developing a sense of belonging is fundamental to students’ settling-in, engaging and achieving academic success. This paper examines undergraduates’ university journey and their perceptions of university belonging. Three hundred and fifty first year undergraduate students on BA (Hons) business and
management at Leeds Business School, part of Leeds Beckett University, participated in a qualitative study to explore students’ sense of belonging from their unique perspective. They were asked to upload their own sense of belonging ‘moments’ through a mixed media digital noticeboard, representing their journey from pre-arrival to the middle of the second semester. It was found that there were opportunities for academic and services staff, and the students themselves, to create belonging moments during this time. The moments fell into three categories; first, moments in classrooms and lecture theatres; secondly moments ‘at home’ in student accommodation; and finally, moments on nights out, at student societies and during other social activities. In response to the findings, Sense of Belonging Moments are being promoted through fresh interventions, including a new-look induction, a video to signpost
services; and student-led tours to promote awareness of campus spaces and facilities.
ORCID: 
CORE (COnnecting REpositories)
CORE (COnnecting REpositories)