York is a brilliant place to study; I've been exposed to new ideas and fresh perspectives that have constantly challenged my thinking.

... the student community here is especially vibrant

Not only does the Department of Philosophy have a strong academic reputation, but my course has given me the chance to study a wide range of topics, allowing me the freedom to follow my interests in the subject.

Outside of my studies, the student community here is especially vibrant, with an active undergraduate philosophy society where I've had the opportunity to make some really good friends.

I've thoroughly enjoyed the master classes organised by the Department, giving us the opportunity to work with successful writers, actors and directors.

... the opportunity to work with successful writers, actors and directors

I don't believe that any other course I applied to would have offered me such an exciting opportunity to meet with so many professional practitioners!

I've also really enjoyed the practical workshops that we have twice a week.

To find that the Department is working with major conservatoires such as RADA and Central has been really exciting.

Studying Sociology at York makes you take a fresh look at all aspects of modern life, challenging things which you normally take for granted.

... challenging things which you normally take for granted

The Department is a very close-knit community, and someone is always available to listen and help out - whether it's the Head of Department, your personal supervisor, or a member of support staff.

Outside of my main studies, the student-run Sociology Society has played a big part in my life.

The guest lectures and discussion groups have really helped me connect with the subject - and the socials are brilliant!

The Department of Chemistry at York has always stood out in national league tables, and with good reason.

The quality of teaching here is first-rate

The course gives you a comprehensive grounding in modern-day Chemistry as well as the practical training you need to handle state-of-the-art equipment both in and out of labs.

The quality of teaching here is first-rate, and I particularly appreciate the friendly support we get from staff throughout the Department.

My time here has been immensely enjoyable, and I'd definitely recommend it to anyone looking for a distinguished degree in Chemistry.

When I was choosing universities, York's Maths department was the most friendly

I’ve particularly enjoyed the top-quality teaching as well as the intellectual stimulus from my classmates

Since arriving, I've been a Student Representative for all my time here – the level of involvement has been both satisfying and rewarding.

The Maths course is well-designed and carefully structured, and I’ve particularly enjoyed the top-quality teaching as well as the intellectual stimulus from my classmates.

All the staff are active researchers themselves, and very approachable. If you love Maths, York is the place to be!
 

I wouldn't underestimate the importance of being able to meet like-minded people

I took my undergraduate degree at a different university and wanted my postgraduate experience to be unrelated in that respect. My decision to come to York was twofold: firstly I wanted to work closely on the history of Eighteenth Century Britain through an interdisciplinary approach - I had taken a Joint Honours degree as an undergraduate - and the Centre for Eighteenth Century Studies offered me that opportunity. Secondly, I was attracted by York's academic reputation and the calibre of its teaching staff.

Although the MA is only a year it has offered me plenty of great experiences. Academically, I have certainly learnt a lot and been able to focus in on the topic areas in which I'm most interested. The resources that the University has for private research have probably been the most useful in this respect. Socially I've met new people and made some good friends. I wouldn't underestimate the importance of being able to meet like-minded people.

The staff and faculty seem to have my interest at heart, and everyone is willing to put the time and effort into helping me

I came into this programme with lots of enthusiasm and nebulous ideas; the staff has directed me toward deepening my knowledge of the history of technology and the process of writing history. The Department of History is full of friendly, helpful and interesting characters - staff, professors and students. The staff and faculty seem to have my interests at heart, and everyone is willing to put time and effort into helping me take care of whatever I need to do, both administratively and academically.

They have helped me create new, interesting and verifiable hypotheses which I'm now backing up with solid historical research. They have also encouraged me to start 'being a historian', writing book reviews and presenting papers. The Department has also given me opportunities to teach and give talks at seminars and conferences. I'm very proud to be able to participate in all this, and feel like I'm doing 'real history'; I hope to continue building on these achievements in the future.

The PhD in Computer Science offers in-depth exploration of many scientific theories, technologies and applications.

... meeting pioneers in the field of Computer Science

The most interesting aspect of the programme has been learning about the minute details that might help me to contribute to the future of these technologies.

I've enjoyed presenting my work at international conferences, and meeting pioneers in the field of Computer Science.

The Department and staff offer valuable support in administrative, technical and educational issues.

Studying for my PhD at the Centre for Women's Studies (CWS) has been a truly unique journey - one that has helped me grow both personally and academically.

A truly unique journey that helped me grow both personally and academically

The interdisciplinary philosophy at the heart of CWS makes studying here both engaging and challenging.

As an international student, I have found the environment of CWS to be incredibly supportive, colourful and exciting.

The staff are always approachable and helpful, and the Centre itself is cosy and equipped with everything you may need - including couches and friendly faces in the common room!

York's top ranking in the UK and the world, the quality of its supervision, and its friendly research environment, were all factors in my decision to choose York as the location for my research on Syrian classroom interaction.

The quality of its supervision, and its friendly research environment, were all factors in my decision to choose York

At York, staff and research students work closely and collaboratively.

The Educational Research Group is a great platform for exchanging ideas and collaborative work between student researchers and staff, and it provides an excellent opportunity to gain feedback.

I've also really enjoyed the training opportunities offered at the Graduate Training Unit during my time here.

There’s a wide range of internationally well-known lecturers specialised in different subject areas

When I decided to pursue my PhD in Politics, I selected the department at York for several reasons. The Department is known to excel in research and teaching; there's a wide range of internationally well-known lecturers specialising in different subject areas. Supervisors in the Department dedicate, on a regular basis, quality time when meeting with their supervisees. The Department also provides training courses such as 'Research Students Transferable Skills', 'Research Management Programme' and computing skills in software such as Excel, PowerPoint, SPSS and Atlas.

The Department provides teaching opportunities for research students as Graduate Teaching Assistants (GTAs), thus allowing them to gain experience should they plan to enter academia once they have completed their PhD. It also provides many facilities to research students, such as personal desk space and a computer room for research students, with a photocopier, scanner, printer and fax machine.

I now know friends from all over the world, thanks to the growing number of international students coming to York

I came to this department because of its excellent academic reputation in the field of social policy. After completing my BA at York, I decided to stay on to do a PhD and to deepen my knowledge in my area of research.

The Department is famous for its excellent teaching. We have regular seminars during term time where we can share our experiences and discuss our research findings and progress with other research students and academic staff. By meeting with others in the seminars, doing a PhD doesn’t make me feel isolated as people would generally perceive. Additionally, I now have friends from all over the world, thanks to the growing number of international students coming to York, which has coloured my life so much!

I enjoyed the MSc so much that I left my job to concentrate full time on academic work

I was working in Marketing and wanted to broaden my general knowledge about management. I did an internet search and the MSc course at York was one of the things that came up. As I live ten minutes from the University it was very convenient, but I came and visited the Department before applying. I met the Head of Department and we chatted about career development, the course and how the programme was run. I liked what I saw, which was a well structured, modular course that would provide a grounding across the range of management disciplines - finance, IT, HR etc.

Before I did the course I had thought I'd probably look to move into HR or Finance within my company, but I enjoyed the MSc so much that I left my job to concentrate full-time on academic work. During my dissertation I struck up a good relationship with my supervisor and he agreed he would support my application to progress onto a PhD here in the Department.

York is a far more student-friendly place than many university cities

I initially came to York as an undergraduate: I was attracted by the international reputation of the University and the Department. I feel I made the right choice, and both proved too hard to leave! I have since completed both BA and research MA degrees in the Department of Language and Linguistic Science.

All postgraduates in the Department are incorporated into one of the Departmental research groups with other postgraduates and members of staff. Students are made to feel part of a local research community, and the research groups and departmental seminars provide an excellent forum for students to give their ongoing work a first public airing.

The relationship you build with your supervisor and other staff can be more important than you might think. Also, don't overlook the importance of non-academic factors: the University boasts impressive new accommodation and facilities for postgraduates, while York is a far more student-friendly place than many other university cities.

I'd been working in commercial Archaeology for a couple of years before I started my degree.

... Department staff as a whole are really approachable

Coming in as a mature student was quite scary at first, but actually I've enjoyed every second at York!

The course is interesting and intellectually stimulating, and the support network in the Department is better than I could have imagined.

My personal supervisor has been extremely helpful with all my questions and issues - no problem is too big or too small - and the Department staff as a whole are really approachable.

Before coming to York, I followed the Indian pattern of education up to secondary school. Although my high school years were spent in India, I obtained an International Baccalaureate Diploma after grade 12.

My Department is sociable and I can find the help and support I need easily

I was very excited when I first arrived. There was nothing to be nervous about even though I arrived alone because I was received at the airport by the Welcome Team. The Orientation programme covered all that I needed to get done in order to settle into life in the UK. I was never worried about not knowing something because I knew who to go to.

I have thoroughly enjoyed my time at York so far. York has a good reputation for biological research and my degree has given me a strong foundation on which I can build a career in science. My Department is sociable and I can find the help and support I need easily. The large number of societies and facilities on campus has allowed me to develop interests outside of my degree. York is also a lovely city to live in because even though it is small, it is well connected to bigger cities, and very pretty!

Before coming to York, I studied the International GCSE and International Baccalaureate Diploma Program in Mombasa, Kenya.

It’s exciting to be involved with so many different people, cultures and events!

When I first arrived in York I was very excited and nervous, but l loved the international orientation week. I was much more scared after Week 1 because I wasn't able to stay in touch/interact as conveniently with all the friends I met in orientation week. It took some getting used to the city and campus culture, but by my second year I was much more involved and I enjoyed it so much more. I was also more used to the weather and knew how to dress appropriately for winter!

I also joined the International Students Association', and enjoyed the company of other international students, got to socialise, build relationships and friendships. I also thoroughly enjoy being on the ISA committee. It's exciting to be involved with so many different people, cultures and events!

Before coming to York, I did primary and secondary school in Nigeria. I then went on to do sixth form in the UK. Coming to York was definitely a new experience and I settled in more quickly than I expected to.

I feel that I have matured more as an individual during my time here

I have met some cool people I would not have met if I hadn't come to York. I have made friends I really value. Societies give a chance for an outside classroom and college community. This has allowed me apply myself more and by taking up leadership roles I am able to develop and enhance skills that will be beneficial in future.

My time in York has been amazing. I feel that I have matured more as an individual during my time here. The town is very student-friendly, quiet, but at the same time loud, beautiful, historical and fantastic. I will definitely miss the good times I have had here when I graduate in July.

I completed my BA at McGill University, Montreal, two years before coming to York and spent a year on exchange at the University of Glasgow.

I learned a lot and was challenged but also gained some confidence in my abilities

I was attracted to York by the fact that their Medieval Studies and Archaeology departments were highly esteemed and I had read and enjoyed books and articles by several Archaeology staff members and also found that I had similar interests to many of them. I find that the teaching styles are similar to my experience in the final year of my undergrad studies, but with an added emphasis on independence and self-instruction which is further reinforced through the supervisor-student relationship and the meetings regarding essays and dissertations.

I also play football regularly with an 'archaeology' team which has been very rewarding socially and also helped to introduce me to some individuals I would not otherwise have met who have furthered my academic interests.

My time in York was better than I initially expected, highly positive in terms of the archaeology department, King's Manor and the academic experience in general. I learned a lot and was challenged but also gained some confidence in my abilities. The best thing that's happened since being here is getting to know my professors better (which never happened at home) and planning a PhD. Currently I'm living in York trying to raise enough funds to begin a PhD for next year here.

Before coming to York, I studied A levels at UEM Foundation College, Lembah Beringin, Malaysia. When I arrived in York I was excited to be in a whole new different location and enthusiastic to meet new people.

I rarely felt homesick, simply because York has this vibe which is welcoming and makes me feel like I’m at home

The best things that have happened since I arrived here were International Week and Fusion. International Week was so fun; I got to experience many different cultures (dance, food, traditional costumes) all in one week. The Fusion dance performance was wonderful; I’ve never seen a lot of people being able to dance well. The whole production was a success and I truly enjoyed dancing with other people.

The facilities on campus are very complete, accommodation in the new Goodricke College was amazing, the en-suite room was comfortable, the shared kitchen was big and spacious, apart from that, the sports centre is so comprehensive; many sports can be played there, the food outlets on campus are so convenient whenever I get hungry on campus, the Library is complete (it provides a lot of studying material for my course), the computer labs are a life saver when you need the internet around campus, and the bus service to town is always on time and reliable.

So far my time in York has been great. I've kept myself busy with the societies I joined, be it organising events for international students or dancing the day away. On top of that, meeting new people along the way is always a good surprise. To be honest I rarely felt homesick, simply because York has this vibe which is welcoming and makes me feel like I'm at home. It is also unbelievable how fast time flew - without realising it, I finished my first year. People say time flies fast when you are having fun and that is truly applicable to me.

As someone passionate about languages and fascinated by other cultures, it's hard to think of anywhere better for me than York.

Then there's the year abroad ... an amazing and unforgettable experience

The range of modules is really wide, and because of my particular degree course I get the bonus of choosing between French, German and linguistics options.

They are run by enthusiastic, inspiring lecturers who are not only up-to-date on the latest research but often conducting it!

And then there's the year abroad, which I spent working in France and studying in Germany - an amazing and unforgettable experience.