Explore your options

Indulge your passions or try something new. Beyond the classroom you’ll have access to 250 different clubs and societies, as well as countless activities, events and opportunities to make new friends and develop your skills for employment.

Volunteering

Thousands of students get involved in Student Volunteering each year at York. We have a wide range of placements, community projects and one-off activities. Each can give you a taste of what might become your future career and support you to make a positive social impact.

Contact us

York Students in Communities

volunteering@york.ac.uk

York Students in Schools

ysis@york.ac.uk

Students' Union Volunteering Officers

volunteering@yusu.org

I volunteered for the charity Minds in Motion. They hold social and recreational events for people living with dementia. My role included organising all the logistics like booking venues, inviting guests and recruiting volunteers to run the session. Through my volunteering, I’ve realised that working for a charity is what I want to do in the future.

Heather, BA English Literature and Philosophy

Get involved

Be a classroom assistant alongside teachers in local schools through our award-winning York Students in Schools scheme.
Help to increase awareness of mental health conditions, reduce loneliness in the elderly population, and bring music into schools, hospitals and care homes across the city through the Students' Union (YUSU)’s volunteering projects.
Help to organise a music festival, create a community garden, support people with dementia and much more though YUSU.

YUSU’s Raising and Giving (RAG), brings you fun, events and adventurous activities in aid of good causes.
Become a leader of the Students' Union or the Graduate Students' Association by running in the elections.
Set up or run a student society, media group or a sports club.
Help at open days, chat online with prospective international students, and facilitate school activities by becoming a student ambassador.

If you're an international student, it is important that you check that any voluntary work complies with the terms of your visa.

Join a society

Joining a society is a fantastic way to meet new people, indulge your existing interests or try something completely new. You don’t have to be an expert to join – it’s all about new experiences, making friends and having fun. From astronomy to aerobics and politics to poetry – there's plenty to choose from.

As well as having fun, you can develop skills highly valued by employers. For example, joining a society committee is a great way to develop your leadership or teamwork skills. You can also get your skills and experience recognised through the York Award.

Discover our societies

Study, work or volunteer abroad

We have links with top academic institutions and employers all over the world. Expand your horizons and prepare for a career in a global job market.

This global experience does not necessarily have to take place abroad, there are also ways to get involved here in York.

Find out more

Enterprise and entrepreneurship

Connect with business advisers and build your skills and confidence with Enterprise at York, which supports students and recent graduates to develop their business ideas.

We offer workshops, funding, events and workspace and help you to build your enterprise network.