Among those getting set for the year was Nicky Crawford.
After spending the summer milking cows, she was ready to have "a bit of fun" in her Dundas St flat.
The third-year University of Otago physical education student moved in yesterday, in order to get settled before attending a camp later this month.
Some students had already returned for the University of Otago's summer school programme.
The Otago University Students Association event, ORI10, is expected to draw students in when it starts on February 21.
Semester 1 will begin at Otago Polytechnic on February 15, and the university will approve courses from February 19.
Accommodation services director James Lindsay said the university's 14 residential colleges were full, which was the norm at this time of year.
The accommodation office had been "very busy" for the past two weeks, with the usual large numbers of returning students looking for flats and flatmates.
Mr Lindsay expected it to peak from next week until March, as alternative accommodation was sought, international students arrived and others came in with tenancy agreement inquiries.
The university would again run a hospitality programme, starting on February 8, with a free taxi service for students to view flats and an information stand at Dunedin Airport for those arriving by air.
Also welcoming students back was Salvation Army North Dunedin Family Store manager April Elliott.
While there were "definitely more students about", most would arrive next week, she said.
Essential student flat items, such as clothes airers and coat hangers, had been selling strongly at Kmart Dunedin.
Store manager Nigel McCleery said he had noticed students "trickling in", but said more would come later this month.
Poppas Pizzeria owner Steve Munro said there were "a few students around" but he was looking forward to more coming back to town.
Leith St Liquorland assistant manager Richard Vercoe said the area was "still rather quiet", but extra stock had been ordered to cope with the rush orientation would bring.
Key dates
Otago Polytechnic
February 15: Semester 1 begins
University of Otago
February 19: Semester 1 course approval
February 26: Preliminary lectures
February 21-March 5: Orientation
March 1: Formal lectures begin