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Higher education

Talk to other parents whose children are preparing for university on our Higher Education forum.

Original poster

University of York starters 2025

381 replies

ClearFoundation · 21/08/2025 08:06

So a while ago I saw a few threads on York and one of the mums suggested that we start a sort of Yorkies thread once everyone had results and knew where they were going.

I have a DD going who will be in James college

Anyone else?

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Thread gallery
6
HebeJeeby · 21/08/2025 08:22

Morning, thank you for starting this thread. DD has got a room in Anne Lister so is pleased as we thought it looked very nice when we saw it on the Open Day. We have to drop her off on 12 September which doesn’t seem very far away at all now! She’s busy shopping for her room and is a mix of excitement and nervousness.

Original poster
ClearFoundation · 21/08/2025 08:58

@HebeJeeby Yes it seems quite soon now. Mine is allowed into her room on Sept 13th. She really wants to get some battery powered fairy lights. Apparently plug-in ones are banned since there was a power outage a few years ago during a party!

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Dearover · 21/08/2025 11:22

I collected DD's stuff from her master's year on Monday. One great thing about York is their student stuff recycling. If there is anything that students can't or don't want to take home with them, it goes to a charity drop off, then recycled in fresher's week for a small donation. We nearly left a heated airer there, but a friend grabbed it. There will also be pot plant sales at freshers, just in case your DC insist that a monstera plant is essential.

There is a Dunelm (your new best friend) at the Clifton retail park, with an enormous Tesco, so you can always do click & collect rather than stuffing your car to the hilt.

Dearover · 21/08/2025 11:24

Other useful info. The kitchens are well equipped (at least Wentworth is). They don't need kettles or toasters. They will typically get 1 double cupboard each and share a huge fridge freezer between 3 of them (there were 2 in DD's kitchen).

ormiwtbte · 21/08/2025 12:13

It's 30 years since my first week at York. I loved it and I hope your children do too.
Back then we didn't start until the second week of October! That was a strange feeling as all my school friends were going to their universities in September and were already well settled in before I started and it made me more nervous really!

Anyway, good luck to everyone starting!

helphelpimbeingrepressed · 21/08/2025 12:42

I have a dd going to James college as well!

OldYorkMum · 21/08/2025 13:04

DD graduated in the summer so I thought we were done, but she’s now returning for a Masters.
Happy to help if I can.

Original poster
ClearFoundation · 21/08/2025 13:16

helphelpimbeingrepressed · 21/08/2025 12:42

I have a dd going to James college as well!

Oh that's great, are you able to say what subject? Mine is doing Psychology.

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SparklyLemur · 21/08/2025 14:30

DS has a place at York (to do PPE) but still waiting on accommodation and has been warned it's not guaranteed. York was his insurance place and, like an idiot, I trusted him to apply for accommodation before the deadline. He did not, so here we are😬He's very young in the year (not yet 18) so thinking of applying to defer.

Original poster
ClearFoundation · 21/08/2025 17:34

@SparklyLemur Oh that is stressful. I know they try really hard to make sure every new undergrad has a room. Have they run the off campus options past him? Student Castle & Fusion students. They are expensive but sometimes not more than the ensuite rooms on campus

Fusion Students - Social Ensuite
New for 2025/26 - Experience student accommodation in York, where historic charm meets modern living. Fusion Students is located a 23-minute walk from campus and 5 minutes from the heart of the city. With inspiring study areas and dynamic social spaces, academic drive meets a lively, supportive community, all set in one of the UK’s most iconic student destinations. You’re perfectly placed for both focused study and spontaneous adventures. Explore cosy cafés, indie shops, riverside strolls, and legendary nightlife – all right on your doorstep. This is student living reimagined: bold, balanced, and built around you. -

Student Castle - Clifford Ensuite
Located in the heart of the city, steeped in history, Student Castle is located a 22-minute walk from campus. Take a walk down the cobbled streets where you’ll find plenty of boutique shops and quirky cafes. Enjoy the splendour of the iconic York Minster or walk the historic city walls all a stone’s throw from Student Castle. -

PS. my DD is 17 as well, not 18 until the end of this year

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SparklyLemur · 21/08/2025 18:00

Yes, we've been looking at those online. He's not keen as really wants to be on campus. His older brother has just spent a year in a private student block (he's doing a degree apprenticeship). He was possibly unlucky but it was a very weird, lonely experience. He was in a three-bed "apartment" with no other flatmates. The living/kitchen area was awful - no windows whatsoever. He came home pretty much every weekend - but that would be impossible for younger DS to do from York. However glossy the pics are online I would definitely want to see them in person!
A friend of younger DS who applied to York through clearing has just had his accommodation offer and it was none of his seven choices 😬which does not bode well. DS has had confirmation that he can defer if he wishes to and that may be the less stressful option. I am now micromanaging every step of the process!

Original poster
ClearFoundation · 21/08/2025 18:11

SparklyLemur · 21/08/2025 18:00

Yes, we've been looking at those online. He's not keen as really wants to be on campus. His older brother has just spent a year in a private student block (he's doing a degree apprenticeship). He was possibly unlucky but it was a very weird, lonely experience. He was in a three-bed "apartment" with no other flatmates. The living/kitchen area was awful - no windows whatsoever. He came home pretty much every weekend - but that would be impossible for younger DS to do from York. However glossy the pics are online I would definitely want to see them in person!
A friend of younger DS who applied to York through clearing has just had his accommodation offer and it was none of his seven choices 😬which does not bode well. DS has had confirmation that he can defer if he wishes to and that may be the less stressful option. I am now micromanaging every step of the process!

I wonder if he might be prioritized for an on campus room because of his age though? My DD had to sign forms about behaving like an adult despite not being 18 yet.

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Ritasueandbobtoo9 · 21/08/2025 18:15

My DS is going. He applied for accommodation after clearing, got offered a room but missed the 24 hour deadline as was working a long shift then sleeping. Brutal. Feel a bit distressed about it all.

Original poster
ClearFoundation · 21/08/2025 18:24

Ritasueandbobtoo9 · 21/08/2025 18:15

My DS is going. He applied for accommodation after clearing, got offered a room but missed the 24 hour deadline as was working a long shift then sleeping. Brutal. Feel a bit distressed about it all.

Oh that is stressful. Has he phoned the accommodation office to explain?

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Ritasueandbobtoo9 · 21/08/2025 18:35

Yes, but they said that they already reissued the room. They weren’t sympathetic. I guess they can’t wait around but 24 hours is tight. He should have read the email properly though.

SockFluffInTheBath · 21/08/2025 18:51

DD goes on the 13th. She’s very excited. Busy stockpiling things for the great escape!

Original poster
ClearFoundation · 21/08/2025 22:06

SparklyLemur · 21/08/2025 18:00

Yes, we've been looking at those online. He's not keen as really wants to be on campus. His older brother has just spent a year in a private student block (he's doing a degree apprenticeship). He was possibly unlucky but it was a very weird, lonely experience. He was in a three-bed "apartment" with no other flatmates. The living/kitchen area was awful - no windows whatsoever. He came home pretty much every weekend - but that would be impossible for younger DS to do from York. However glossy the pics are online I would definitely want to see them in person!
A friend of younger DS who applied to York through clearing has just had his accommodation offer and it was none of his seven choices 😬which does not bode well. DS has had confirmation that he can defer if he wishes to and that may be the less stressful option. I am now micromanaging every step of the process!

There are so many accommodation options that I'd not be worried not getting one of the "7" at all

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LinkEEDin · 22/08/2025 10:45

My DS has a place in James College. So excited for him but nervous too.

GreatCreatures · 22/08/2025 11:58

Also have one going to James! Sorry for those who are having some difficulties with the allocations.

Ritasueandbobtoo9 · 22/08/2025 22:43

Thanks, I think he has hopefully sorted it now. Is there a parents of York Facebook site as well?

Original poster
ClearFoundation · 23/08/2025 07:07

@Ritasueandbobtoo9 I don't know about FB you may need to run a search on that one.

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SparklyLemur · 23/08/2025 08:23

So... had an update yesterday. "We've had a higher number than expected... blah blah blah... and as you missed the 31 July deadline... blah blah... we are unlikely to be able to offer you university-owned accommodation... we will update you by the end of next week".
Deferral and gap year looking increasingly likely!

Dearover · 23/08/2025 08:39

There are so many private halls available. Have you worked your way through them? They are likely to be at least as good as the older campus halls.

GreatCreatures · 23/08/2025 08:41

The Facebook Group is Uni of York (UK) parents. There are also sidechats within it for particular colleges. Very informative and helpful. Although inevitably some things are not necessarily 100% accurate, eg someone said for James it's only the shared bathroom which are houses rather than flats, but as I understand it there are some en-suites in a house style too. There has been a lot of chat about the need to use private - there will be lots of first years in private halls this year, so experience could be good (but ££).

Original poster
ClearFoundation · 23/08/2025 08:43

@GreatCreatures Thanks for that info. When I looked at the private options the accommodation office was saying they approved of, the Student Castle etc, they were all single rooms in shared flats for "new undergraduates only" - so that is going to hopefully reassure some parents that their kid isn't going to be stuck either with a bunch of post-grads or left entirely on their own.

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