Navigating your journey through York

Starting university is fun but there’s a lot to take on board. We have a wealth of resources to support you as you start studying with us.

Meeting new people 

If you’re wondering about how to meet new friends or find people who share your interests, our getting ready pages have some useful resources and links to help you meet people.

De-mystifying studying at university

Transitioning to a new way of studying can be challenging, for example, you might hear words like "seminar" or "office hours" and wonder what they actually mean. Don't worry; everyone is learning the language of university, and it is nobody’s "first language”. Our Higher Education Essentials is a great place to start. This provides guidance on how you will learn and be assessed at York. If you want support in developing particular skills, for example your writing, then our Skills Hub can help you. 

Your York community

We know that it's really important that you can find support that’s right for you when you’re experiencing difficulties. Your college provides a supportive community, offering a home from home and inclusive social activities to help you find your feet.

For every practical hurdle - from managing money to navigating health services - the Student Hub offers direct, professional solutions and specialist signposting. Disability Services are here to support you if any long-term health condition, learning difficulty, or mental health challenge impacts your studies. An overview of these resources and more can be found on our support and advice web pages.

Assessment and your results

Our semesters information gives you a guide for how the academic year works for most at York. There are 11 weeks of teaching, followed by an assessment period. Your department will tell you how you will be assessed and your results will be available on e:vision around five weeks after you’ve submitted your assessments or taken your exams.

Academic integrity is a term you might hear a lot at university - it means you make sure all the assessment work you complete is your own. To help you with this, it's important that you complete our online academic integrity tutorial - you’ll find it on your list of modules in the VLE.

Other things you might want to know

If you joined us late or missed our welcome resources they’ll give you an overview of what it's like being a student at York. If you’re already thinking about your future, our careers web pages are a good place to look.

In your first year, you built the foundation. Now, the stakes are higher as your marks begin to count toward your degree classification, signal your progress to potential employers and postgraduate admissions tutors. This isn't just a "consolidation year"; it's the year your degree takes shape. 

Refreshing your skills 

As the material gets more technical, we expect you to move from simply describing what you’ve read to thinking critically and building your own arguments. This is the time to transition fully to university-level independence. If you need a refresher on academic integrity or want to audit your current skills, our Study Skills Hub can help you push your academic boundaries. Take the time to review your feedback on e:vision; use it as a direct roadmap to refine your critical voice, and if you’re unsure how to apply module leader reflections, book a tailored one-to-one appointment to turn that advice into action.

Building your experience

Second year is the prime time to look at expanding your horizons and start thinking about your preferred future. Whether you are interested in a Placement Year in industry or a Study Year Abroad, these opportunities provide a stable foundation in your future career. Use Handshake to connect with global employers or refresh your understanding of your York Strengths to identify what makes you unique.

Managing the intensity 

With a higher workload and the pressure of final exams and assignments, looking after your wellbeing is vital. Wellbeing Officers and the Student Hub remain your first port of call for managing stress or financial concerns during this big push. The dissertation or extended project is reliant on your independent learning. It allows you to design and execute your own research, but it is normal to feel "analysis paralysis" given the scale of the task. Don't work in isolation; regular check-ins with your Dissertation or Project Supervisor will help you break the project into manageable steps and keep your research moving forward.

Planning your next move 

As the academic challenge peaks, you will likely be splitting your focus between your studies and applying for jobs or further study. Our Careers and Placements team can help you with CVs and personal statements, while our York For Life platform connects you with alumni who have been in your shoes. If you’re thinking of staying with us, look into the York Graduate Loyalty Discount for postgraduate study.

The re-induction process

Welcome back to campus! Transitioning from a year in industry, a leave of absence, or a study year abroad represents a profound shift in identity as you traverse the boundary between professional or global roles and your return to the York community. It is entirely normal to feel "de-skilled" academically or to experience "reverse culture shock" as you re-adjust to university life.

Refreshing your skills and wellbeing 

Remember that transitions are often non-linear and messy. For any practical hurdles or financial pressures, the Student Hub and the Student Support Fund provide direct solutions and emergency assistance. Should the pressure feel overwhelming, the Open Door & Mental Health Support team is available for confidential, one-to-one appointments to help you manage stress and maintain your mental wellbeing.

Reconnecting with your community 

Re-engaging with the social fabric of the university is vital for your sense of belonging and academic success. Reconnect with your college community; whether you live on campus or not, they remain your "home on campus" and offer inclusive social events to help you find your feet within your cohort once again. Additionally, the University of York Students' Union provides a platform to rebuild your social networks through hundreds of societies and offers independent advice should you face any academic or personal challenges.

Undergraduate degrees can offer structured schedules and frequent feedback, but postgraduate study relies on you largely being in charge of your own reading, data gathering, and critical analysis. Contact hours might differ, meaning you might have long periods of independent research. You aren't expected to figure out high-level academic research all by yourself. There is plenty of support available via Faculty Librarians and the Study Skills Hub.

Even if you are an experienced student, postgraduate study might mean encountering a new version of the "hidden curriculum". Every university and department can have its own unspoken rules, academic etiquette, and specific terminology that can feel like a foreign language. You may find that assessment styles and disciplinary norms differ significantly from your previous department, requiring you to spend time decoding new expectations for your work.

While the social landscape definitely changes during this transition, it is also an incredible opportunity to meet a totally new, like-minded crowd. If some of your undergrad friends have moved on, it just opens up space to build a fresh, diverse network of people who are just as passionate about their subjects as you are. The Students' Union, York Graduate Research School, our colleges and the Postgraduate Communities team all organise events to help you get involved and build connections.