Crash course in York please?

[SockFluffInTheBath]

DD put it on her UCAS form as her aspirational choice, didn’t expect an offer but got one. It’s a very doable offer so she’s likely to firm it.

Any tips on halls and the uni in general please? It’s a social sciences degree (for location). We’re familiar with York as a city, but going from scratch on the university.

Dd is at York. I would say that she is finding getting second year accommodation difficult. It’s expensive and some houses are going to best and final so they are being priced out. She’s finding it v stressful. Loves her course though.

Bloody hell, best and final on a student rental? That’s shocking.

I believe it depends if he wants Aldi or Waitrose!

DS2 is in his second year. Started off in Barbara Scott (catered on West campus) which was great, but had to be quick off the mark to find a place for year two. Now paying £210 a week!! Lovely uni, lots of contact time, enjoying his course (Chemistry). Nightlife is centred more around bars than big clubs, but some students get the train into Leeds for a bigger night out although DS2 one trip to do this resulted in getting his phone, wallet and bank cards stolen!!

I know! I was shocked at that. And it’s so frustrating for them as they think they’ve found something within budget then they’re priced out.

Yep dd's is 210 a week!! It's very expensive. Re he whole being bullied stuff - it was horrible but obviously isolated, and apart from that she absolutely loves York - just an unfortunate mix!!

At least it's only until the summer. Masters are 51 weeks and a masters loan (if you take it) is around £12k for both fees of around £11k and rent/maintenance for the year. This is where humanities are at such a disadvantage to those who can do a STEM integrated masters.

Waitrose is very close to a big Morrisons and Food Warehouse, so if they can reach Waitrose they have options!

Just wondering, we live in York and my child is considering applying and living at home (mental health issues primarily). My worry on this is that being a campus university, they'll end up quite a way away from all the social stuff and miss out on the college events. Does anyone happen to know how the university manages this? I know other children from their school have gone to York in recent years so can't imagine they'd be the first in this situation.

DS is elsewhere and I’m paying 215/wk for first year halls, dropping to 150/wk for their second year house. Sounds like DD will take up the mantle at York 🙄😅

This is true!! They do have to start paying at the end of June though which is annoying as most of them won't even be living there for the summer vac!

The uni won't manage it, but they will still be part of a college, have friends in their department and the added benefit of a free washing machine at home! So many live at home now all around the country. They will need to find things which interest them, join clubs and chat as they are waiting for lectures to start or in the library.

Of course they also have the bonus of local friends and family, so they should be less lonely in the early days because they have their own support network to hand.

Bet there's a "local students" meet up too whre they'll find people they already know

@Finallybreathingout There's free buses that run between campus and town, so if your DC wants to take part in any of the later clubs, they can get home easily thereafter. They can also get a meals card which means they can get food on campus anywhere for I think (this will need checking) something like 17% less than if they paid cash. They'd also be able to hang out in any of the colleges, not just the one they are assigned.

That's all really good news, thank you. Especially the being part of a college regardless.

DD went there, she loved it

Pastoral care is excellent

We were at the offer holder day last weekend too. DS has an offer for science subject. He really likes the campus, just worried about the distance (4+ hours on the train).

Our kid is going to York in Sept. and it's also 4 hours on the train (from Bristol). I think it's good for their independence, as it's not 30 mins away, they will have to fend for themselves. Trips home will be for Xmas and Easter and Summer holidays only, most likely, unless there's a crisis.

We're about 3 hours away, which has it's pros and cons!

I'm further south. We regularly meet in London for a day. It's only 1h 45m from York

Yes I think that too, but DS is less sure.

That is understandable. We spent a long time living overseas where it took a lot longer to get places, so our expectations as a family are that travel takes ages. It takes almost 12 hours on the train to go from NY to Montreal for instance, or 4 hours on a coach from Washington DC to NY (2-3 hrs on the train). So it has become our "normal".

What I would say though, is York is a fantastic place to go to university. I went and am thrilled my DC is going too. And most importantly, the distance home in the first year feels very different to the distance home by the 3rd year. If that makes sense.

The college allocation lasts forever. Even as alumni.

Will he go home via London? There’s a decent train service into London from York and if you book in advance and are flexible with timings it’s often not too pricey. DD then gets the tube and another train home. I think door to door it’s around 4 hours and a similar drive if we don’t stop & traffic is good. In first year she said she’d come home Xmas, Easter and summer but she nipped home in October to see home friends (no crisis & we weren’t even there); then Xmas, then a week in late Jan, then Easter & then end mid May for summer. Felt like she was home a fair bit tbh.

No, we are in the Midlands so its a train to Birmingham and then change there. I have said he could book a trip home for 3 or 4 weeks in and/or we could come and see him.

Mine both graduated last year.
They spent the first year in halls in East campus. Decent quality accommodation. En-suite room. Good size room and facilities.

I preferred this type of accommodation in first year as it's secure. Security cameras and a nice team of security guards that help out if needed.

You can get a free bus between campuses or use a scooter. It's also a very short walk.

Easy, regular bus into the city and it's cheap.

2nd and 3rd year they rented accommodation in the city. Within the city calls. It was lovely. Very convenient and no issues with the bus to campus. They also walked it most of the time

My Son also loved the public library in the city and spent a lot of time there.

York is a great city. Has everything you need. Very busy at peak times with tourists but also lots of activities too.