The University of York was the first in the UK to offer an employability award, starting in the 1997/98 academic year. 

In 2019/20 the York Award was reviewed, and consultation undertaken with key graduate employers, current students and academics of the University of York. As a result, we made changes to incorporate the best bits of our previous York Award and York Award Gold programme, add some new elements, and roll everything into one new award that’s open to everyone and generally completed at the end of your time at York - the NEW York Award!

Yes! York Award will be open to all students of the University. The requirements and questions will be the same, but your answers will reflect your student experience.

Applications for postgraduate students are open during July each year, with an additional opportunity in Autumn term for January 2021 starters. 

In the application we will ask you to tell us about the key activities you have undertaken during your time at the University of York (or the last three years) that you feel have significantly contributed to your personal and professional development. You can include any activities you feel are relevant including work experience, activities as part of your course, college life, sports, hobbies and interests, societies, volunteering, additional training/courses/qualifications outside degree, anything else. 

In the final part of the application we will ask you to reflect on experiences solely based on your time as a student with the University of York. You will be asked to use examples that you would choose to talk about in a job application/interview.

For postgraduate students, you might be on a course of one year duration, studying part time or a PhD candidate at York for more than three years. Alongside the list of activities we suggest as examples of activities you could include, you want want to draw on other experience over the last three years, such as current or recent professional experience, volunteering and community involvement (this could be things like committee roles or school support activities) and additional personal or professional development activities and training. 

We appreciate that getting experience and accessing opportunities is more difficult at the moment. However you’ve found the last 12 months, York Award can help you to find value and meaning in the things you have done.

Wherever you are in your journey, make the most of your time and think about where you can build on your experiences. Take a look at Your Career Journey for some ideas on where to get started. 

Further support and information is also available via our Careers issues during Covid-19 page, including how to book an appointment and further resources.

Yes! York Award is completed online, and is open to all students of the university. The key elements of Your Career Journey required to make an application are all accessible online. We will also ensure any support materials can be accessed remotely.

The team run 'Discover York Award' sessions across the year. This is a chance to find out more about what the York Award involves and tips on how to write a good application. More information on booking a place at a Discover York Award session is available through Handshake.

We provide detailed guidance on the York Award application process on our 'Applying for York Award' page (login required). All of this guidance is also contained within the York Award application form.

The York Award team can answer any questions you have via email, however we won't be able to offer feedback on individual applications. Please note Careers drop in and advice appointments should not be booked for this purpose. Please get in touch with us if you have any queries while making your application by emailing us at award@york.ac.uk. 

Once you have completed and submitted your application and this has been marked, you will receive personalised feedback from your assessor alongside your application result. 

Yes! York Strengths Online is available to all students (undergraduate, postgraduate taught, postgraduate research and distance learners) throughout your time at the University.

If you haven’t already completed York Strengths Online (or attended a York Strengths Development Day prior to Summer 2020) then this would be really good preparation for making a York Award application, as well as providing you with useful insights to support your skills development and career planning.

We are aware that many final year students will have participated in York Award: First Stage under the old arrangements in their second year, and/or may be anticipating York Award Gold being available at this point in their final year. 

We would strongly encourage you to complete the NEW York Award, as it most closely resembles the old York Award Gold. If you have completed the old style first stage York Award this will give you a really firm foundation to build on in completing the NEW York Award.

Our advice for students who will do both, is that they describe the first stage York Award as 'York Award: Stage 1' and the new York Award as 'Final Stage York Award' to distinguish them on their CV and in job applications.

Yes, all undergraduate and integrated masters students can apply for a York Futures Scholarship worth £250, £1,000, £3,000 or £6,000 to access experiences and activities that support their personal and professional development. Check the deadlines and find out more about York Futures Scholarships.

If you have any other questions not covered here, please email us award@york.ac.uk

Every year a gift of £1,000 is awarded to the top three York Award candidates in their undergraduate final year of study. Applications will be considered during the assessment process and if we require further information we will get in touch.

While participation in the York Leaders programme is not a requirement; if you’d like to be considered for this award we would strongly encourage you to take part. Students on the York Leaders programme will have the opportunity to demonstrate and gain certified recognition for their leadership qualities.

The prizes will recognise the most talented, ambitious and driven students who excel in York Award.

The gift has been donated by Sir Malcolm (University of York Chancellor) and Lady Grant.