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Join as a Buddy

If you are a new full-time international student, joining the scheme as a Buddy is the perfect way to settle into university life and meet other students.

You will join a small, friendly group with other new students. Your group will be led by an experienced current York student who will be your Buddy Leader.

Applications are now open!

If you are starting a full-time course at York in Semester 1 of 2026, we'd love you to join the scheme. Sign up using the form below and we'll match you with a Buddy Leader and a small group of new international students, helping you to start making connections before you arrive.

Applications will close at 12pm on Friday 28 August 2026.

Sign up for the International Student Buddy Scheme 2026

 

Contact us

If you have any questions about being a Buddy Leader, or joining as a Buddy, please contact the International Communities Team.

What to expect

Buddy Leaders are current students who have volunteered in this unpaid role to help you settle into university life at York.

Your Buddy Leader will share their own University experiences with you, as well as offering friendly advice in response to any questions or concerns you may have. They will have completed training and will also have the support of the staff team who coordinate the Buddying Scheme. 

Some of the things you might like to talk to your Buddy Leader about include:

  • what your first month at the University will be like
  • what it is like to study in the UK
  • the variety of things you can get involved in at the University 
  • ways to meet other like-minded students
  • tips on studying at university level 
  • where you can go to get support
  • the best place to get a coffee on campus
  • things to do in and around York
Opting out or changing your Buddy Leader

If you decide that you no longer wish to be part of the International Student Buddying Scheme, please email international-communities@york.ac.uk to inform us.

You can opt out of the scheme at any time, but you need to let us know so that your Buddy Leader doesn't continue trying to contact you. 

If you would like to change your Buddy Leader, please email international-communities@york.ac.uk, and we will try our best to put you in a new group with a different Buddy Leader.

Contact us

If you have any questions about being a Buddy Leader, or joining as a Buddy, please contact the International Communities Team.