Living and learning
At York you'll conduct your research in outstanding research facilities and interdisciplinary centres. We also offer a range of support and a wealth of opportunities to help you to share and celebrate your work.
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2,000 postgraduate researchers supported by York Graduate Research School
24/7 library with 1,500 study spaces including dedicated areas for researchers
A beautiful green campus within walking distance of the city centre
8 doctoral training centres offering multidisciplinary centres of expertise
Student using our Vibrating Sample Magnetometer (VSM)
Specialist facilities and interdisciplinary research
We're home to a large number of world-renowned research institutes, centres and state-of-the-art facilities.
Supporting our researchers
York Graduate Research School is at the heart of our postgraduate researcher community at York.
The School works with departments to support you throughout your time here. It'll also let you know about what's going on at the University, from events to funding opportunities.
Celebrating our researchers
Share your research and find out about the breadth of research activity at York. We offer a range of events to help you develop your professional skills. You'll also get the chance to share your research with a wide audience. Opportunities to engage with research at York include:
- Three Minute Thesis competition (3MT®) - the chance to communicate the impact of your research to a broad audience
- PhD Spotlight competition - poster competition where postgraduate researchers can showcase their work
- YorkTalks - a bite-sized way to find out about the world-leading research at York
Your Department will also arrange a variety of events, from socials to colloquiums and public lectures.
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York offered me so many opportunities to expand my skills alongside my studies. I joined in my department's weekly colloquiums, listening to and interacting with top scholars in my field. I received training on giving papers and presentations and was part of a weekly Work in Progress group, sharing my research with other research students. The department helped me find funding to attend conferences and present papers. I was also able to get involved in organising conferences, which is valuable experience if you plan to enter academia.
Ro Smith (PhD Philosophy, 2015)
Campus life
Our main campus is divided into two areas - Campus East and Campus West - and is located just outside the city centre. In the heart of the city, we have two historic locations: King's Manor and the Guildhall. Getting around is easy on foot or by bike, and you can also use fast and frequent bus services. It's free to travel between Campus East and West and you can currently get a day of unlimited travel around York for £3.20.
Entertainment and culture
On campus, there is a choice of concerts, films and plays, and you can join one of our many student societies. You might also be interested in our Open Lecture series and TED-style YorkTalks event. You can also keep fit and healthy while you study in our flagship sport and fitness facilities.
Your home at York
Accommodation
We offer an excellent range of accommodation for postgraduates, on or close to campus. Our graduate-only college, Wentworth, is a centre of postgraduate activity on Campus West. We also offer postgraduate accommodation in our other colleges across campus. There is also a wide selection of private sector housing available within walking distance of the University.
City life
York city centre is just a stone's throw away from our beautiful campus. Explore the winding medieval streets, museums, cosy pubs and cafes, and of course, the iconic York Minster using the self-guided tour app.
I love living and studying in York because it has a mixture of history and modern vibe through its buildings, events, and places. It also feels very safe. I tell my friends that York is so cosy - it’s not too big of a place to get distracted and not too small of a place to feel bored - it’s just right.
Dilys, LLM International Corporate and Commercial Law
Students with families
York is one of the UK’s safest cities, with excellent amenities and a great range of schools, including four schools within walking distance of campus. The city offers a variety of childcare options and there is also a campus nursery and an on-campus health centre.
If you're a parent you can get involved with the Graduate Student Association (GSA) Family Network, which can help you meet other students with children.
Graduate community
We're one of a handful of universities in the UK with both a graduate students' union and a college system, making it easier for you to meet new people and make friends.
Colleges
Our graduate-only college, Wentworth, provides a base for postgraduate students with dedicated social spaces on campus and Wentworth Online, an online community for our distance learners.
Graduate Students' Association
Our student-led Graduate Students' Association (GSA) will help support and represent you. They run a varied programme of activities and networking events each year, including a Postgraduate Welcome Week - one of the largest in the UK!
They also provide the Postgraduate Community Fund which helps students set up and fund their own community event or project to enhance postgraduate student life at York.
- GSA Masters Network (facebook.com)
- Official GSA Facebook Page (facebook.com).
Our international community
International students form an integral part of our campus community, with nearly half of our postgraduate researchers coming from overseas. We’re committed to ensuring you receive the very best support from the moment you inquire about studying with us, right through to the end of your course and beyond.
York provides a wonderful, safe learning environment for postgraduate students. The Graduate Students’ Association (GSA) and Students’ Union (YUSU) provide communities and activities and we have weekly language exchange nights and movie nights at Wentworth College, our dedicated postgraduate college. As BAME* Students’ Officer for the GSA, I help make international students feel more comfortable in their new environment. For example, during the pandemic I organised an online Lunar New Year event for all students who wanted to celebrate together.
Chia-An (Taiwan), GSA BAME Students’ Officer
*BAME stands for Black, Asian and minority ethnic
Sustainability
Sustainability is key to our values at York. We generate heat and electricity on campus, and source renewable resources from the National Grid. Our annual One Planet Week celebrates sustainability research and work that we complete at the University.
Your support network
We offer a network of support services designed to give you easy access to help and advice if you need it.
This range of support includes an academic supervisor, health services, and specialist advisers who you can talk to about housing, finances, childcare, and your health and wellbeing.
We also have support available specifically for postgraduate researchers through The York Graduate Research School, such as mentoring, academic skills development support and a dedicated postgraduate careers consultant.