Overview

Accommodation at York

Wentworth College is the hub of postgraduate life at York

York is one of a handful of universities in the UK which has a college system. Whether you live in University accommodation or in the private sector, you will be a member of a college. Most of the colleges have accommodation for postgraduate as well as undergraduate students.

Students paying overseas tuition fee rates are currently provided with University accommodation for the full duration of their course if they receive and accept an unconditional offer and apply for accommodation by the due dates.

All UK and EU graduates live in the private sector.

Accommodation

University accommodation

A variety of fully furnished and centrally heated University accommodation is available, mostly situated on or within three miles of the campus and conveniently located for the city of York. There are approximately 1,000 college accommodation places on campus for graduates. Most accommodation consists of self-catering flats accommodating from two to nine people.

• Wentworth College - the graduate college. Situated on the main campus it has 460 en-suite rooms and 93 standard rooms.
• Halifax College - the largest college, situated approximately ten minutes' walk from the main campus. A stand-alone block of rooms, all with en-suite facilities, is available for postgraduate students.
• Goodricke College - situated on the new Heslington East campus, Goodricke has flats designated for graduate accommodation.
• Alcuin, Derwent, James and Langwith Colleges - are situated on the main campus and have a small number of flats designated for postgraduate students.

Off-campus

• Constantine House (27 rooms) and Walmgate (18 rooms) - These self-catering properties, for graduate students only, are in older, listed buildings, close to York city centre. They are conveniently located for students studying at the King's Manor. Most of the study bedrooms are standard, with a few en-suite rooms in Walmgate.
• Catherine House (26 rooms) - Catherine House, for graduate students only, is in a quiet location in its own grounds, a short walk from the main campus. It offers self-catering accommodation in single study-bedrooms.

Private sector accommodation

There is currently a surplus of student houses in York, many of which are close to the campus. To date, all postgraduate students have been able to find accommodation for the start of the academic year.

The Accommodation Office assists students looking for private sector accommodation by advertising suitable properties on its website, helping postgraduate students find housemates, and by offering temporary University accommodation, subject to availability, prior to the start of term for students looking for private housing.

Facilities & prices

Facilities and prices

Facilities

• Nearly all of the study-bedrooms have telephone and Internet access. All bedrooms have washbasins and many of the rooms have their own en-suite facilities. Most colleges have common rooms, a bar, a television room, a laundry, telephone facilities and a reception service.
• A catering service is available in dining rooms and snack bars across campus, allowing you to purchase meals throughout the day. York's pay-as-you-eat system offers you maximum flexibility as to when, where and what you eat. Alternatively, the Meals in Advance Deal (MAD) scheme offers an opportunity for students to purchase discounted meals in advance on a term by term basis.

Charges

• York's accommodation charges are very competitive - an important consideration when you are living on a student budget. In most cases, when you rent a room at York, you are not tied in to a meal plan so this gives you a good degree of control over your budget. In 2011/12, the prices will range from approximately £85 to £118 per week.

Special arrangements

• The University and York Housing Association provide a limited number of one-, two- and three-bedroomed furnished and unfurnished houses and flats for undergraduates and graduates with partners, including students with families. The University gives priority to families coming new to York but cannot guarantee to provide accommodation to all new families. Unless there are exceptional circumstances, families will be expected to find their own private accommodation for subsequent years.
• Some single-sex accommodation is available to students on request, but cannot be guaranteed.
• Car parking is restricted on campus and students are not eligible to park, with the exception of students with disabilities. You should therefore not expect to bring a car to the University. The campus and the city are being developed to provide increased cycle access to and through the University.

How to apply

How to apply

Students starting their course in October and eligible to apply for accommodation should check on the Accommodation website for the date the online application system on e:Vision will open.

The application system is on a 'first come, first served' basis. An advance payment fee (£200 in 2011/12) is charged as part of the application process. This is paid online with a credit or debit card.