Student Sustainability Opportunities Hub
Welcome to the Student Sustainability Opportunities Hub! A space to discover sustainability-related opportunities that you can get involved with, from modules and courses to internships and volunteering.
Our platform is available for all current students at the University of York to use.
The hub can help you to:
- Develop your sustainability skills, knowledge and experience
- Think about a career in sustainability
- Go beyond your degree programme with our sustainability elective modules
- Find work experience or volunteering opportunities
- Enjoy sustainability opportunities and events on campus
Choose a sustainability elective module in 2024/25
After a successful first semester, with the Sustainability Clinic winning a Green Gown Award for Student Engagement, Environmental Sustainability at York (ESAY) is once again offering an exciting suite of sustainability-related interdisciplinary modules for 2024/25. These modules are available to students from all Departments and Schools (subject to timetabling availability), and will equip students to work collaboratively in multi-disciplinary teams to solve local, regional and global sustainability challenges.
Sustainability-related modules for 2024/25 include: Future of Food; Climate Crisis Action Lab; Sustainability and Policy; and the Sustainability Clinic.
Find out more and how you can apply below.
Students: Become a Green Impact auditor
Green Impact Auditors are volunteers who conduct sustainability audits of University departments, reviewing their sustainability activities and providing feedback. You will receive a half-day IEMA-approved training course where you will learn about sustainability issues and how they apply to the University, as well as develop professional and analytical skills. You will learn how to conduct a sustainability audit, and then get the opportunity to conduct one or more audits of University departments. No previous experience necessary, and you will receive a digital badge to showcase your achievements.
Volunteer training and audits will take place on Wednesday 1 May, 10am – 4:30pm.
York City Nature Challenge
See it, snap it, share it, 26 - 29 April 2024
The City Nature Challenge is an international 4-day bioblitz taking place in York for the first time in April. The Challenge aims to raise awareness of the biodiversity in and around the city, as well as provide data for research.
How can I take part?
The City Nature Challenge is open to everyone. To start recording, download the iNaturalist app on your phone or visit uk.inaturalist.org to create an account and share your findings. Check out York's website below for more information and join our project on iNaturalist!
Sustainability Clinic
Help local and regional organisations and businesses achieve their sustainability goals. Work with students from a range of disciplines on 'live' real world sustainability problems.
The award-winning Sustainability Clinic is part of our suite of York Interdisciplinary Modules (YIMs) and is available to choose as an elective module in 2024/25. Students from all Departments/Schools across the University have an opportunity to take part (subject to timetabling availability/department constraints).
YUSU's Sustainable Development Grant
Interested in starting a sustainability project but need some funding? YUSU's Sustainable Development Grant may be able to help.
The Sustainable Development Grant, launched by YUSU in 2022, is available to fund student-led sustainability projects using the University's 20p Latte Levy. It funds projects that are aimed at improving sustainability at York and uses the UN's Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) as its criteria, so as long as the project lines up with at least one of these, it will be considered.
The funding bands range from £50 - £1000, however more expensive projects will be considered if you can demonstrate the need for it. Applications are accepted every semester.
