University of York

Founded in 1963, the University of York was among that decade's plate glass universities and belongs to the Russell Group of research-intensive institutions. It is organised collegiately: each student is a member of one of eleven colleges, the most recent being David Kato College, which opened in 2022. The colleges are linked to accommodation and anchor social life, including a keen rivalry between them.

The main estate, at Heslington to the south-east of the city centre, covers about 500 acres and is split into Campus West and Campus East, the latter having opened in 2009; King's Manor, a historic building in central York, is also used by the university. Enrolment exceeds 22,000, including about 16,000 undergraduates, spread over more than thirty departments and centres of study in the humanities, social sciences, sciences and professional subjects. In 2010 Times Higher Education named York University of the Year in recognition of its combination of academic excellence and social inclusion, and the university holds Gold in the Teaching Excellence Framework. It should not be confused with York St John University, which is a separate institution.

Information for International Students

York's dedicated International Student Support team offers practical help both before and after arrival. Free collection from Manchester Airport is available to new international students, who then join a welcome programme of events and trips designed for them, while the college system and the student-led International Students Network help newcomers settle. Each course sets its own English language requirements, and many different qualifications are recognised.

Delivered with Kaplan International Pathways, the University of York International Pathway College offers Foundation Certificates in either sciences and engineering or business, law and social science, International Year One in computer science or business, and pre-masters programmes. Teaching is delivered at Kaplan International College London as well as on the York campus, and students who finish at the required standard with good attendance are guaranteed progression to their chosen degree. Online pre-sessional English courses run for four to sixteen weeks, and courses of four and six weeks are also delivered in York. Accommodation offers are guaranteed for eligible new undergraduate and postgraduate students applying by the published deadlines. Scholarships are offered to international students, and the Graduate Route is open to eligible graduates.