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How to apply

Find out how to apply to the University of York as a visiting student, either on exchange from your home institution or as an independent student.

Start your application for 2026/27

All you need to do is submit an online application. You don’t need to complete your application all at once: you can start it, save it and finish it later. Not sure which course level to apply for? Get in touch with us at visiting-students@york.ac.uk and we’ll be happy to help.

Apply for an undergraduate course

Apply for a postgraduate taught course

Apply for a postgraduate research course

Am I eligible to apply?

If you are applying to be a visiting student (either on exchange from your home institution or independently to us) at York, you must:

  • be at least 18 years old
  • be a fully registered student at your home institution at the time of the proposed study at York
  • be in good academic standing and have achieved, or be on track to achieve, the equivalent of a UK lower second-class honours degree (2:2). For country-specific entry requirements and mark equivalencies, please visit the relevant Country-Specific Information webpage and review the postgraduate entry requirements section. All visiting students, whether undergraduate, postgraduate taught, or postgraduate research, should consult this section for details of grade equivalencies

If you are applying to be a visiting student at York via an exchange at your home institution, you must also:

  • be a fully registered student at a university which is an official exchange partner of the University of York
  • contact your home institution to find out their eligibility criteria for the programme before you apply to be a visiting student at the University of York

Find out about our department-specific academic requirements

Before you apply checklist

1. Consider your module course options

Find out what you can study.

2. Check that you meet our entry requirements

Find out about our academic requirements and our undergraduate and postgraduate English language requirements. 

3. Choose when you would like to study at York

Our academic year is split into two semesters:

  • Semester 1: 21 September 2026 to 31 January 2027
  • Semester 2:  1 February 2027 to 6 June 2027

Postgraduate research students can apply throughout the year. Please select the date you wish to start when submitting your application. This will be confirmed with your department at the point of making an offer.

4. Get your supporting documents ready

You must provide the following supporting documents* along with your application:

  • Academic transcript from your home university 
  • English language certificate (if applicable)
  • Postgraduate research students only: name and email address of two academic referees or letters of recommendation from your home university 

Some departments may ask you to submit additional supporting materials with your application. Find out more about departmental requirements. It's important to submit all supporting documents with your application. We cannot consider your application until these have been received.

If you're a postgraduate research student, make sure you tell your academic referees that we'll be contacting them. 

If you have any questions, please email visiting-students@york.ac.uk.

*Please note, all supporting documents must be accompanied by official translated copies if not originally in English.

Visa requirements

If you are not a UK national, you may need to apply for a visa in order to study at York. Learn more about visas and immigration.

Application timeline

Applications open
  • Monday 9 March 2026 — applications open for Semester 1 entry
  • Tuesday 1 September 2026 — applications open for Semester 2 entry
Nominations due
  • 30 March - nominations from home institutions due for Semester 1 entry (exchange students only)
  • 30 September - nominations from home institutions due for Semester 2 entry (exchange students only)
Deadline to apply
  • 30 April — applications close for Semester 1 entry
  • 30 October — applications close for Semester 2 entry
Offer of a place from us

You will receive a decision from us approximately four weeks after we have received your complete application and all supporting documents.

Invitation to enrol
  • Semester 1 entrants will be invited to enrol in late July or early August 
  • Semester 2 entrants will be invited to enrol in early December 
Accommodation offer
  • Semester 1 entrants will be offered accommodation in late July or early August 
  • Semester 2 entrants will be offered accommodation in early December 

You will be offered accommodation which is either on or near to our campus. 

Module registration

Our departments register visiting students onto modules in three ways:

  1. during your application
  2. after you have enrolled
  3. during week one of your first semester at York

Please check your department's page for more details. 

Visiting Student Guide
Find key information about studying abroad as a visiting student at York.
Read key information (PDF)
International student guide
Find everything you need to know as an international student applying to York.
Read student guide (PDF)
Welcome to York Guide
Plan for your first few weeks as an international student at the University of York.
Prepare for arrival  
Higher Education Providers guide
Find out how we can offer an international experience to your students.
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