Students living at home

Your college

Your college

There are eight undergraduate colleges at the University and all students both on and off-campus are part of a college community.

As a non-resident first year student you will be allocated to one of the following colleges, depending on your department of study:

• Alcuin College - Health Sciences and the Hull York Medical School (HYMS)

• Goodricke College - Computer Science; Theatre, Film, Television and Interactive Media and the York Law School

• James College - Archaeology; Biology; Environment and Geography; Maths; Psychology; Sociology and the School of Physics and Electrical Engineering

• Vanbrugh College - Chemistry; Economics; Education; English; History; History of Art; Language and Linguistic Science; Music; Philosophy; Philosophy, Politics and Economics; Politics; Social and Political Sciences and the School for Business and Society 

You'll have access to social spaces and facilities including: microwaves, kettles and storage lockers.

Colleges also offer opportunities in Welcome Week and beyond to meet other students, take part in sports, attend wellbeing workshops and participate in the inter-cultural competency programme.

Adjusting to university life

Adjusting to university life

It will take you time to settle in and adapt to university life, don’t be too hard on yourself in the first term when you are dealing with so much change. 

Time spent travelling 

If you are travelling to and from University most days, try to make your commute as enjoyable and productive as possible by:

• Making sure you know the quickest way to travel to University.

• Ensuring you get the best deal on public transport costs.

• Having public transport enquiry numbers (eg National Rail etc) in your mobile.

• Making the most of your journey time, if using public transport, by using it for University reading, note taking etc.

You may find these tips for commuting students helpful. 

Student Buddying Scheme

A Student Buddy is a second or third year student who will help you settle into university life and support you through your first year here. All local and commuting students are encouraged to request a Student Buddy, you can do this before you arrive or during your first few weeks here. Visit the Student Buddying Scheme web page to find out more.

Accessing support

Studying as a local or commuting student can be challenging at times and it is normal for there to be bad days as well as good days. However, if you feel like you would benefit from talking to someone, there are plenty of people you can approach for advice or a chat. This includes: 

• Your college team

• Your academic supervisor

• YUSU 

• Student Support - the Student Support and Advice Team offer online drop-in sessions where advisers are available via webchat.

• The Open Door Counselling Service

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Meeting others

Meeting others

The University organises events specifically for students who are living at home to give you the opportunity to meet other students in the same boat. We will email you with details of these events and they will also be listed under 'Student Support' on the MyUoY Events app. 

More tips for meeting other students 

• The University of York Students' Union (YUSU) offers a wide range of volunteering projects, sports, societies and student media groups for you to get involved in. 

• The Careers team can help you get involved in volunteering activities, enterprise opportunities, internships and recognised placement years. These are a great way for you to get to know other students, help the York community, and enhance your employability.

• Your college and department will also host events throughout the academic year.

• Request a Student Buddy to support you through your first term at York. 

Overnight accommodation

Overnight accommodation

We offer subsidised overnight accommodation on campus for full-time undergraduate students registered with a term-time address outside of the York Ring Road. We hope by offering this it will enable you to attend more evening social events and will also reduce any anxiety relating to arriving on time for early exams/assessments. 

Through this initiative you can stay in a single ensuite room in Franklin House, Alcuin College for £24 per night (compared to the standard price of £78 per night). 

Subject to room availability you can book this subsidised accommodation for any night during term time. You are encouraged to book as early as possible in order to increase likelihood of availability. 

For the purpose of this subsidised accommodation arrangement, information relating to your booking (including your name and date of stay) will be shared between STEM (who manage Franklin House) and Student Support. 

If you would like to book subsidised accommodation please email student-communities@york.ac.uk with the night(s) you would like to book and once we have confirmed your eligibility we will forward your email onto STEM, who manage the Frankin House bookings, so they can check availability.

Useful Information

Useful information

• The SCONUL Access Scheme allows University of York library users to borrow or use books and journals at other libraries belonging to the scheme. This means that you could potentially use a library that is located closer to your home and not need to rely solely on the library located on the University of York campus. 

• YUSU's Activities Access Grants provide free club and society membership for first year undergraduates who are eligible for a York Bursary or Disabled Students' Allowance and who have completed a UoY Widening Participation programme prior to coming to University. If you join a sports club, society or media group this academic year, complete the Activities Access Grant Application Form to apply for up to £20 in membership fee reimbursement. Applications will be considered on a first-come-first-served basis. 

• The York Futures Scholarship funds students to access opportunities that give them a head start in the job market. It is funded by York’s alumni and friends community through philanthropic donations.

• For information about financial support from the University, please see York Scholarships and bursaries.

• The library has lots of useful resources and spaces for you to use. You can book library study rooms up to one month in advance for a maximum of three hours in one day and up to six hours per week. Also, there are library storage lockers and other study spaces available across campus. You may find these top tips for studying and exam success useful as well.

• The digital interactive Campus map can help you navigate the University. There’s a variety of coffee shops and eateries, food preparation areas and showers available across campus as well as places to pray and reflect.

• Many staff and students choose to cycle to university and across the city. There is very limited parking on campus but travelling by bus is one of the most convenient ways to commute.

• Some off-campus students choose to relocate to the city for their studies. There is useful information on the private housing sector webpages and this Guide to York Student Areas.