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.

Read more about student volunteering

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.

Students taking part in a team project at Beningbrough Hall.

YUSU's RAG Parade in the city centre

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

Archery club 'Disability Awareness' event, 2020

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

Students at 'Scrapfest' semester abroad in Michigan, 2019

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.

Read more about Enterprise at York

Modules beyond academic borders

At York, you can step outside your degree programme and expand your knowledge with elective and language modules.

These are designed to broaden your knowledge, make unique academic connections and boost your employability.

Read more about our modules

The experience I gained through joining York’s Entrepreneurs Society and the Travel Society gave me the skills and confidence to run my own company. University funding also helped me develop my business idea.

Charlie Thuillier, Founder and Managing Director of Oppo Ice Cream, BA Applied Social Science – Crime and Criminal Justice, 2011

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