University of York

[nlondondad]

Anyone have any views on , or experience of, the University of York?

[ajandjjmum]

As a family, we didn't warm towards it when DS looked around some four years ago.

We have a family friend who is in her second year there, and is loving it.

[firsttimekat]

I did my masters there and loved it.

Friends who also went there (at different times) also speak very highly of it.

Did you have any specific questions/ concerns? What subject?

[UptheChimney]

From an academic point of view, it is excellent. Small enough that a student will feel part of a community, but punches above its weight in research terms, which means that students get the huge advantage of being pushed, and being taught by the people whose books are in the library.

A lovely city -- lots there to do, and in the north (of England), which is probably the best thing! (homesick northerner here)

[nomorecrumbs]

York is fabulous. I love visiting. I had a boyfriend once who considered it and went to the Open Day. The campus isn't pretty but the city certainly is. And it has a fantastic reputation.

[titchy]

And they have a Betty's tea room!

[nlondondad]

Thanks for the comments so far; the subject is Philosophy.

[LRDtheFeministDragon]

I don't know much about philosophy, but I know York and I think it is very good. As others say - small enough to be friendly, but big enough to have a community.

I think it is also good with supporting students and I know the teacher training they give to new academic teachers is good quality (some universities don't even really do this).

York is relatively small and sleepy, but is only a short distance from Leeds where the nightlife is a bit more exciting. And while the campus isn't pretty, it's quite fun - masses of baby ducks and moorhens wandering around all spring, etc.

The library is possibly not as good as it could be, but more and more is online - if someone's good enough to apply to York, they might also consider Oxbridge, and that would have better library facilities, but that is the only thing that's really negative, I think, and it's the same for other universities. Students often expect every single book will be in the library; libraries don't buy enough books for every student to have a copy of a book they'll use for one week of the year. I mention this because I know it is often something students don't expect.

[Madratlady]

I would recommend York as a lovely place to live. I went to uni here as well having transferred after hating the uni I originally went to and I was much happier here, but I couldn't comment on what it's like for philosophy.

[Northernlurker]

I went to York. Quite a few years ago now but it remains a very good university and a nice place to spend your university years. You couldn't move for Oxbridge rejects when I was there . The university has invested a lot in facilities over the last decade - lots of building work done.

[UptheChimney]

Students often expect every single book will be in the library; libraries don't buy enough books for every student to have a copy of a book they'll use for one week of the year. I mention this because I know it is often something students don't expect

Ahem. In my day creaky voice we bought those things called text books. It was called "building your professional library."

[UptheChimney]

I know the humanities generally at York, but more at the postgrad level -- they have a wonderful Humanities Research Centre, and they aced the last Research Assessment Exercise (I heard some lovely Whitehall gossip about how the then government regarded that!)

So, although there's generally a fairly uninformed view, IMO, that excellent research is not necessarily a guide to a good undergrad experience, I think this is not the case in the humanities. I'm pretty senior, but have always taught incoming First years, and this is pretty typical of research-led humanities areas. So have a good look on the York Philosophy website: you'll see their research ratings and you'll also see who teaches what.

The advantage of being taught by world leaders is that we push our students, we teach (well certainly I do) from our research, which means the kids get it hot off the press, and can actually participate in the research. This is why Oxbridge is so prized: because its academics are seen (inaccurately) by the general public as clearly the best academics around.

[LRDtheFeministDragon]

upthe - yes, so did we.

But I mention this because it is my experience that some students feel outraged that the library has not bought 60 copies of a text they will read for one week of the year, so each of them can get a copy from the library.

If you go to Oxbridge, the library facilities simply are better (though you still will need to buy books!). York's library is, IMO, rather poor in comparison to its academic level. That's all. I think it's a minor downside but I know how large it can loom for students.

[AntoinetteCosway]

I went there (about 10 years ago) and loved it. I also know someone who taught in the Philosophy department until fairly recently. PM me if you want more details as I don't want to potentially out myself! Overall, it's a brilliant place.

[Scarifying]

My DS did a Headstart course at York last summer. Although, he didn't apply there he thought it would be a fantastic place to study. I love York. It's a nice size.

[BeckAndCall]

I went there. DD1 is in her third year there and DD2 has just applied! So that's 3 recommendations here.

It's expanding rapidly with high quality accommodation in a second site ( walking distance) and has crept up the academic league tables in recent years.

It's great for culture and, I'm told, for nightclubs

[crazyspaniel]

I studied there right through to PhD level, so seven years in total.

It really depends on what you are looking for in a university.

Academically, it is strong, and I believe the Philosophy department has a good reputation. As others have said the library is not its strongest point, but it's adequate for undergraduate study.

It has the advantage of being a campus university but also close to the city (unlike, say, Warwick and Sussex, which are also campus universities but further away from town).

I didn't find it great for either culture or nightclubs, but then I was from London so perhaps that is not surprising. It does have a lot of great pubs though!

[nlondondad]

You are all most positive. ( inote the comments about the library, and I see what people are getting at. Mind you, my daughter who went to UEA and read English and History developed a serious Amazon, mainly second hand, habit because she found it so convenient to have her own mini library...

[nlondondad]

On a slightly left field point, are there any recommendations regarding a quiet and comfortable Hotel in York?

[TheOneWithTheNicestSmile]

fwiw, 2 of my children had offers from York but neither of them took them up, & I still regret that

Lovely city & eminent university

IMO it's a shame parents aren't allowed to have more influence

[LRDtheFeministDragon]

York is very good for hotels.

If you are on a serious budget (and by 'you' I really mean your DD), then the Ace Hotel hostel on Mickelgate is excellent. Prices from 19 quid a night for a room in the dorm, with breakfast, and it's a five minute walk from both the train station and town centre.

If you are looking for you yourself, then Galtres Lodge is quite nice, and I've never found it too noisy even though it is as central as it could possibly be - basically because York just isn't that noisy!

[Devora]

I went there about a thousand years ago. Loved it

[BeckAndCall]

OP, for preference we stay at the York Pavilion in Fulford (best western) which is very quaint and has a lovely breakfast room. And very convenient for the university.

[wordfactory]

York is a lovely city for students, I think.

Safe yet busy. Lots of cheap, student oriented bars/restaurants etc Reasonable prospects of part time work due to the touristy nature of the city.

It's isn't the most vibrant or exciting, but Leeds is very close for bands and clubs.

The student body tends to be veer towards the more academic (these things being relative) and there is a good mix of young people from the north and south, which isn't always the case. Also, most students at York are from outside, few live at home and come in each day. This is somehting that is changing in many universities and, IMVHO, changes the experience of those not doing so.

[RussiansOnTheSpree]

The cleverest person I have ever met read philosophy at York in the early 80s. It's a very well regarded university. But it does have the unavoidable drawback of being in York. If that isn't a problem for you then it's a great choice of Uni.

[Habbibu]

I worked at York uni for a couple of years. It's really good - attracts good students and staff, and is a lovely place to live. Humanities overall very good v there - don't know anything specific about philosophy.