Detective Inspector Cawail Wong said: “This was a serious incident in which a young man has suffered stab wounds. I would appeal to anyone with information about it to contact police.”

Students were evacuated from the block on Wednesday night and offered alternative accommodation and food. They will be able to return later on Thursday and there is no wider danger to students and staff, the University of Warwick said. 

The Sherbourne halls are self-catered flats of up to 12 students, with undergraduate tenants paying £7,200 per year and postgraduates £9,000. 

A spokesman for West Midlands Ambulance Service said: “We were called to reports of a stabbing near to Gibbet Hill Road at 4.24pm yesterday. One ambulance, a paramedic officer and the Warwickshire and Northamptonshire Air Ambulance were sent to the scene.

“On arrival we discovered one male patient who was treated for serious injuries before being taken to hospital by land ambulance. The air crew travelled on the back of the ambulance to help continue treatment enroute to hospital.”

Anyone with information in the incident is asked to contact Warwickshire Police on 101 quoting incident 276 of November 17.

Information can also be given anonymously to the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.