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

[ForestFeast]

For a kid studying politics

Yep my experience also - definitely consider this.

Lovely university/town and experience though 🥰

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

You can apply for up to 9 months(?) after the course starts. However I would strongly recommend applying now. It both gets it out of the way before exams, and ensures that any issues are dealt with well in advance. Your child does not want to be loan wrangling once they've started university.

I was a student there many moons ago and loved it. I just looked up where the politics dept is based now and it’s in Derwent. I loved being able to roll out of bed straight into lectures, but I’m a lazy bugger!
The rooms were all pretty basic when I was there. James was the only college with en suites, for example. But I was very happy with the shared kitchens / bathroom. It’s super sociable.
And yes it’s a great city for cycling.

My son chose James college. It was his first choice and he got it. York was his first choice uni. He spent 4 years there and loved it. Graduated a couple of years ago.

James college has great rooms, & not all catered.

DS2 was in Barbara Scott on West campus last year. But this was catered and en suite. Quite modern and spacious, and really lovely. Lots going on. He got first choice.
We’re now paying £200 a week in a shared house for year two rising to £210 next year so be warned!
Beautiful city. He’s loving it.

I went to York many years ago and it is a lovely Uni and City. I still visit York for work often and enjoy it.
DD considered York 2 years ago but decided against it as it didn't do the course she wanted but it was nice to revsist, even though we kept getting lost as it has changed so much!
Some of the accommodation seemed not to have been updated since we were there though, although the new part up the hill was very impressive.

Dd started in constantine (7th choice!) But, for various reasons is now in Anne Lister for the final two terms where she's very happy.
She has an ensuite there and it's still cheaper than C was!
I agree with the second year house rip off. 6 of them are sharing a house - payable from June! - and they're all paying 200 a week. That's a nice income of about 70k a year for someone....
She does love York though - to the extent that she wanted to go back 3 days early at Easter B

DC was in Derwent. No damp! Room sizes vary but generally more spacious than the East campus colleges. Food was decent but they reckoned Vanbrugh food was better.
We went through the costs with a fine tooth comb and decided the choice came down to catered or an en-suite for similar money (this was 3 years ago).
It’s basically potluck though. Halifax is the cheapest but York is generally expensive and private rentals are eye watering.

DS finishing his first year in Constantine which has suited him. It is on the East campus and he bought a second hand bike in York which he uses most of the time. You can see a lot of the college videos on YouTube and read reviews on The Student Room. Having a College system was of great appeal to DS.

DD is doing an international relations post grad. She's definitely on west campus. She gets the bus or walks into town

Thanks for all your advice, choices have been made, Halifax been chosen for first choice, the kitchen is for as many as 20 sharing 😮😮 dc seems happy with that thought though and is sociable and it by far the cheapest, but what will be will be
would be a great start tho

And thanks for the heads up regarding how expensive year 2 and 3 are !
#skint 😂

@ForestFeastmy dc shared with ten in Halifax, house on three levels. I think there were 2 bedrooms on the ground floor, and four on each of the others.
Two shared bathrooms and a downstairs wc.
They had a great first year, and Halifax has a nice community feel.

I lived in Fairfax house in my 1st yr. It was about 5-10 mins walk from the main campus and they served breakfast in the mornings; cooked tomatoes, sausages / bacon, eggs, toast, with cereal and coffee and tea vats. I lived for those breakfasts. It's still one of the cheapest options if you don't mind the walk or can cook for yourself in the evenings.

@ForestFeast I wondered how your child was getting on, both in terms of the course and accommodation. And more generally.
DS is applying for Politics at York for 2026 and, if he’s offered a place, it’s likely to be his first or second choice.

@WhoWhereWhatWhy There's a York starters 2025 thread if you want to talk to parents of 1st years en masse.

Hey sorry I’ve only just seen your message, not really been on here much lately, but it has been absolutely amazing for my adult child, loves York and loves the uni
and interesting list mates that have visited from other uni etc have siad they prefer York
is highly reccomend so far
dm if you have any questions. Or join us in the York first year parents chat

https://www.mumsnet.com/talk/higher_education/5395773-university-of-york-starters-2025?page=12&reply=148757817

What are his other unis of interest?