Uni of York, no idea what accommodation we should be aiming for ? Any ideas ?

[ForestFeast]

For a kid studying politics

There’s a map on the website which shows proximity to lecture halls, shops, gym etc

Apparently Derwent has bad damp. My DC (social sciences) has applied for David Cato and Anne Lister.

Oh thanks for that heads up about the damp I didn’t know that

basically we need to go for the cheapest possible so will be share bathroom self catered

Got a dd in year two at York. The subject studied doesn’t matter as all the flats are mixed. The newer campus is nice, easily walkable to the main campus, although there are buses.
My dd has been in David Kato and Anne lister, they’re both very nice and well equipped. I can’t speak for the older accommodation on the main site.

A shared bathroom definitely pluses, it’s cleaned!
The en-suites are not

I think we only saw half the uni when we went on open day, the older part, near the lake with the fountain

I like how there’s swans swimming about has a really nice vibe

It’s a really lovely campus. But the other ‘half’ of the accommodation is also set in lovely grounds, with water and wildlife. My Dd is often posting deer and rabbit outside her bedroom window. I’m essence I think most of the accommodation in York is decent

My dd2 is at York and in Derwent with shared bathroom etc. Derwent was her 7th choice and had put accommodation on the east campus as higher priorities as initially wanted self-catering. Although, she was initially disappointed when allocated, it’s actually been the best thing.

The block she is in is fine, no damp issues at all. Bedroom is a really good size and kitchen facilites are good even though is catered. So can still cook at the weekend.

The food is excellent ( sample menus are available) nothing like school dinners! Dd2 is a foodie and likes cooking so if she thinks the food is good it must be! 🤣

She studies at the west campus.

She’s found being on the same campus as where you study being the best thing - so perhaps prioritising the campus/accommodation where Politics is taught? Not sure it really matters though as she has friends studying/living in different campuses.

She’s loving it at York ❤️

HTH

I went about 10 years ago. Avoid Derwent, it's grim, and to my knowledge, has not changed. It's literally got a reputation for being damp and gross 😂

I stayed in Halifax, which is right next to the lovely Heslington Village. It's a 15-20 minute walk as it's slightly offset from main campus, but the buses are regular.

Alcuin was nice. I personally think He's East felt really uncanny and lacked soul, but it might have improved since I was there!

I like the shared bathrooms as they get cleaned. I think James has catered accomodation if that's something you want.

I think rooms in Derwent vary - depending on the room/block you get allocated to. Luckily, she’s in one of the newer blocks. So a bit pot luck - that said the rooms she’s seen have been fine - so perhaps the older rooms have been updated?

I have no idea what we are doing, eldest child and we didn’t go to uni ourselves to massively winging this shit 😂

it seems like a lovely city tho

And uni

I think one thing to be aware of is it can be slightly random and you might end up with a more expensive choice than you ideally wanted. There is a lot of chat about it on the York Facebook group! But it is possible
to try and swap after you’ve been allocated a room.

And some of the catered rooms are actually cheaper than self catering..

Really 😮

Oh I need to get on that

What’s it like for cycling ? Can you cycle into the city easily ?like with proper paths

Anecdotally, it seems that most people don't get top choices (or even a high up choice). So I wouldn't get too fixated on any particular accommodation. Most students make the best of what they are assigned and have a great time :)

David Cato and Anne Lister are the most popular accommodation by far, for example.

I don't know what campus politics is taught on, but some students like being on the same campus (for rolling out of bed at last minute options) and some like to be on the opposite (for study/life separation). DD has valued being close to her lectures :)

My DC stayed in Halifax (first choice). They had a great experience, and I don’t recall any issues. It was the cheapest option at the time, which was a huge factor for us. The walk to campus took about 15-20 minutes, and I don’t think they used the bus for those journeys.

Yes, it's easy to cycle into the city and there are plenty of places to lock up bikes. The cycle path looks a lovely route (DD sent a video of part of it).

The bus is also easy and frequent.

When we went to the open day, we got there before it started and stayed until it closed and we still only saw half 😮

If you're worried about cost, bear in mind that York itself is very expensive. DD is paying £180 a week next year (and you have to pay through holidays) and that was at the cheaper end of off-campus housing. So start saving!

The York Open Day is a full day out :) We had a similar experience. Do you have the opportunity to go back for an Offer Holder day if you feel you'd like to see more?

Oh so perhaps we shouldn’t get too hung up on what accommodation then

perhaps we need to go with the flow

Have most people applied for finance by now ? We’ve not even done that yet either