University of York

[kinggen]

Does anyone have DC there or been there recently? Just wondering what it is like. DD has an offer for this year and was put off by reading the StudentCrowd reviews which mostly talked about the number of ducks and boring students!

@partystress
Of course it’s subject dependent. Research shows this too. But employability should be considered. Not excluded from discussions.

Thanks for all the opinions and advice. DD has firmed York so let's see.

My DFD1 is in her first year there and loves it. She likes a bit of clubbing, but also likes a quieter life. I think the fact that it's a campus university suits her. The ex went to York, where I met him and her father went there as well! Her older brother is in his first year at Newcastle and likes it, says York would have been too quiet for him.

It’s interesting because how would anyone who doesn’t go or hasn’t been to York know if it would be too quiet for them?

My DD did her Masters there (loved it), my friend’s son did his undergraduate degree there (loved it) and another friend’s daughter is currently in her first year there and is loving it.

The campus might be quiet but York certainly isn’t. Lots of buses into town and lots of students walk in and out of the city.

York was actually voted the best place in the country for nightlife in a recent vote.

Another factor in its favour is less than extortionate, readily available within walking distance or short ride accommodation after first year. Good links with industry, so good employability. Only complaint on our DC's part was it being rather chilly in winter (soft Londoner ), but they loved the friendliness of the locals.

@gerryperry
One imagines by people who don’t go out very much.

I have 2 DC there.
They live on campus. One is studying social and political science and the other is studying Mental Health Nursing.

They live on East Campus. The accommodation is nice. Very clean and a safe environment. The geese seem friendly and there are loads of rabbits (huge and appear well fed)

Excellent transport links and free scooters between both sites.

Good amenities on East Campus.

They are both happy with their choice of university.

Feel free to ask me any questions

For all things avine, follow this Instagram account which has become a University of York campus cult classic instagram.com/longboiyork?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y=

Longboi is a legend.

uggmum can I ask why your DC chose East Campus? DD now has the decision to make over accommodation, so she is wondering which is best for her. Thanks!

@kinggen, while @uggmum comes back with their experience, I'll stick in my tuppence worth! I work in admissions at the uni.

As you might already know, Campus East is very new: it's only been in existence 11 years. The accommodation is therefore much more modern, consisting of flats and houses with en suite bedrooms and shared communal kitchens/living spaces. Each of the colleges has a distinct 'hub' with social spaces. Goodricke, Langwith and Constantine Colleges have been open a few years now. Anne Lister College opened at the start of this academic year, and David Cato College is due to be complete this Autumn, I believe (or at least some of it is).

All the accommodation on Campus East tends to be at the upper end of the price scale for Campus accommodation. You don't need to be studying on campus east to access accommodation here (we hear that all the time!). Some students like to roll out of bed and be in a lecture 5 mins later, while others like to put some distance between study and home. There is always a mix of people from all courses in each college and flat/house.

Each College has a real community feel and is very proud of its identity. Clubs and societies play a big part of uni life here and the colleges have their own sports teams. Both campuses have very good sports facilities. The Sports Village on campus east is particularly excellent (its open to the general public, but students get discounted rates).

Whichever is preferred, it really isn't very far between campuses: a 15 min walk (v safe), and about 4 stops by bus (which incidentally is free between campuses before it goes on into town). There is a supply of electric scooters on both campuses, and so many people bike everywhere in York anyway. Cycle facilities are excellent.

Hope this helps!

As I went there, DS has it as insurance, has chosen his accommodation and you work in admissions, I can't resist correcting your spelling of Kato guessing it's spellcheck.

It's interesting you say David Kato is due to be finished DS put this as number one as it is so much cheaper than other East stuff. It is not going to be a building site, is it??

Personally, I felt a bit sad that the proper college feel of York seems to have gone over the years. I was at Vanbrugh and we had weekly 'bops', a bar. a restaurant and teaching in the college (some of it) and staff with room sin the college buildings. It feels a little bit more lie each college is now very like halls at other unis but maybe with more facilities in each.

I was never short of things to do at night at York (I mean are 365 pubs not enough?? I know it's an urban myth but it's close)) , and I grew up in a big city. It is also full of student job opportunities as it is touristy. Off campus accommodation is good value for money and often in lovely areas. And it's a walkable city.

Sorry, yes Kato. I know someone with the surname Cato - I was on autopilot.

I looked up David Kato and it made me cry. What a lovely thing York has done to commemorate him. Typical of the place really.

@Piggywaspushed - sorry, got distracted and realise I didn't answer your question about building works.

I don't know for sure, but I think it's safe to assume that there will still be some building work going on. With Anne Lister College, a couple of wings opened in sept and the rest in January. Its well planned though, with any remaining work behind hoardings etc. Construction works have been going on here for several years now (most recently the Piazza, a new research facility and now the two new colleges). There is dedicated service road for the works so it doesn't really affect walkways etc. Noise isn't too bad - and I say that from experience as I work very close to the new colleges.

Thanks joan!

The other thing I'd say for Your- at least in my experience- is that it does not suffer from 'town and own' issues in any huge way. I made many friends who were locals, largely by dint of all the job opportunities in the City. It's not a snooty place at all.

I was just looking at some cost of living tables. It is hardy to get reliable stats as they all measure different things but the student living index (which doesn't look at all unis) doesn't look etrribly favourably on York.
www.natwest.com/life-moments/students-and-graduates/student-living-index.html

I'm a bit at Cambridge and Oxford, though, and wonder if they looked at students rent costs in the other universities. Certainly Oxbridge students are sheltered slightly form cost of living. Ordinary mortal would find Cambridge just about the most expensive place to buy/rent and live, albeit lovely.

Your = York!!

Town and gown!

This is revenge for mentioning joan's typo!!

@JoanThursday can I pick your brains please? DD and I are coming up on Tuesday specifically to look around East Campus. She’s looking at doing Social and Political Sciences and has heard that the sociology dept is moving to Campus East. Plus it will slightly differentiate her from DS who was in Derwent.

Do the East colleges have any ‘personalities’? She’s not sporty, bit of an am dram / musical theatre fan, but not a musician as such. Would probably prefer quieter rather than party central. Any tips gratefully received!

@uggmum I have PMd you with some SPS questions 😀

Hello @partystress. Yes, that's right: the Dept of Sociology is moving over to Campus East and will be in the same building as the Law School. Very nice building, bright and airy. It has its own catering outlet on the ground floor for drinks and snacks.

Regarding colleges, while I said upthread that colleges like to have their own identity, I wouldn't say that this would mean that certain colleges are considered, for eg, more sporty or more party central than others. In my experience, each college has a complete mix of students within their individual communities. From what I've seen, what brings them together is that they are members of the same college, towards which many become very loyal, very quickly. You might read on student forums that some colleges attract certain types (eg Alcuin is 'boring' and Constantine is for the 'trust funders'), but take that with a MASSIVE pinch of salt!

Regarding the colleges on Campus East, perhaps the following will help:

Goodricke: very close to the academic departments on campus, and next door to the Ron Cooke Hub with a cafe serving very good coffee, sandwiches, pizza / panini / jacket potatoes etc.

Langwith: Slightly further away from the centre of the campus (but still only a couple of minutes' walk). Home to the Glasshouse Bar run by the Students Union, which is open day/ evening. Has pool / music nights / DJ etc in the evenings. This is the only bar on Campus East, and some of the accommodation at this College overlooks the Glasshouse. Langwith is next door to the Piazza with a restaurant and a starbucks - with lots of seating overlooking the lake.

Constantine: further away again by a couple of minutes. On the edge of the campus, has a central 'hub' with a common room.

And then the new colleges:

Anne Lister: really lovely central common space. About a minute's walk from the academic departments

David Kato: Again very close. Looks great from what I can see! Overlooking the lake and the greenery beyond. Opens in Sept.

The colleges do a brilliant job of putting on a range of activities, themed nights, bbqs etc - especially for freshers in the autumn term. Each college has its own webpage with activities etc. The colleges also have a student buddy and mentor system for first years, which is carried out by second and third year students.

On a map, it looks as if the campus is really spread out, but it's actually quite compact: probably 5 minutes max to walk from constantine to the academic departments, and a minute or so to walk to the bus stop to get the bus to the other campus.

BTW, the Uni's health centre is on campus east now. There is also a very good mini supermarket (also used by the wider local community) and ... ta daaa! ... a Greggs!

If your DD is in to drama, there are several societies which might be of interest. Have a look here ... yusu.org/student-life/clubs-and-socs#

Glad to hear that you're coming for a look around! Do feel free to walk into the new home for sociology and get a feel for it if you haven't already. It hasn't moved in yet and its name isn't on the building, but look for the Law School. Equally, do go into the colleges. You won't be able to access any of the accommodation unfortunately, but you can get a feel for the social spaces. Anne Lister and Langwith are probably the best ones to go to for this.

And finally... it's Easter vacation: many students have gone home and many of the staff are on leave too. It's VERY quiet right now - don't let that put you off!

Phew - that was long. Enjoy your trip :)

@reshetima

Another factor in its favour is less than extortionate, readily available within walking distance or short ride accommodation after first year. Good links with industry, so good employability. Only complaint on our DC's part was it being rather chilly in winter (soft Londoner ), but they loved the friendliness of the locals.

This made me smile! I thought the same when I moved here. Yep, bring your big coat (especially when the cold wind rolls down from the wolds into Campus East!). You soon get used to it though.

@JoanThursday thank you so much! That is all brilliantly helpful, and great to know we can take a look inside some of the buildings. Greggs will be a definite plus point