Teaching and learning
We are a member of the prestigious Russell Group, which represents 24 leading UK universities committed to maintaining the highest academic standards in teaching and research.
You’ll study and learn with academics who are experts in their field and who have a real passion for their subjects.
A UK Top 20 university
Times Good University Guide, 2023
20th
overall in the Complete University Guide, 2023
1st for Academic Support
of the Russell Group universities included in the National Student Survey, 2022
"York helped me to develop my critical thinking and analytical skills in a creative environment with state-of-the-art facilities. My training also helped me become an independent researcher and prepared me for my current role"
Dr Wei He, Lecturer in the Department of Biology, Northwest University, Xian, China (PhD Biology, 2012)
Learn from the experts
Our courses are driven by academics who share their research with pride and passion. They’ll challenge you to think independently, and support you to grow in knowledge and excel in your future career.
Professor Nicky Milner
Uncovering ancient settlements
Professor Nicky Milner, Head of the Department of Archaeology, directed the world-leading Star Carr project in the North of England where recent excavations have uncovered evidence of a thriving Mesolithic settlement dating from around 9000 BC.
Students have written dissertations using data generated from the excavations, giving them the experience of working in a research team and initiating their own research.
Exploring human interaction
How humans interact with each other in conversation is the focus of research by Reader in Sociology Dr Merran Toerien.
When teaching, she uses recordings made in a variety of settings, from job centres to neurology clinics, to help students learn about how conversation analysis and how interaction unfolds.
Dr Merran Toerien
Professor Tom McLeish
Get to the heart of the matter
Professor Tom McLeish from the School of Physics, Engineering & Technology researches properties of 'soft matter', a class of materials that can easily be changed by stress. He's also Chair of Natural Philosophy which reflects his strong interest in interdisciplinary work across sciences, humanities and social sciences.
Tom works with students on projects ranging from looking at theoretical models of protein molecules to reviewing medieval texts.
Academics always have interesting discoveries to share from their latest research - this keeps lectures and seminars exciting and current. They also listen to student feedback and look for ways to constantly improve lectures. The high quality of teaching has enabled me to develop the ability to think critically and analytically.
Nicole, BA Education
Driven by research
Research is at the heart of what we do and how we teach. Our staff push forward the boundaries of knowledge: their learning brings your lectures to life.
Your degree
Academic support
Every student at York is assigned a personal academic supervisor. They’re an excellent first point of contact if you need help.
They’ll guide you through your studies, as well as through assessments and feedback, advising you on your academic progress and supporting your personal development.
Flexible course options
Many courses allow you to pursue areas of interest by choosing from option modules within your degree, or in some cases, from another subject or department. The balance of core and option modules varies from course to course and year to year.
If you're interested in studying more than one subject, you could take a combined course, for example Politics and Philosophy, or Maths and Physics.
Elective modules
Step outside your degree programme and expand your knowledge with elective modules.
Studying modules from another department lets you broaden your knowledge, make unique academic connections and boost your employability.
Tailored teaching styles
You may attend lectures, small group seminars, lab and practical-based sessions or small group tutorials, depending on your course. Many modules offer additional learning opportunities outside the classroom through online resources.
Learning outcomes
Each course has its own set of unique programme learning outcomes. These give you a clear description of what you can expect to be able to do when you graduate and will help you explain what you can offer to employers.
Our academics design each course so that you have the best opportunities to build your knowledge, develop your abilities and progress towards the outcomes. You’ll understand what work you need to do and how it helps you to meet each outcome.
You’ll get the guidance you need from your tutors and academic supervisor, and through assessment and feedback, such as exams, coursework, projects and group work.
There are a lot of reasons I love York and one of them is because of the teaching I have received. You're encouraged to think critically and creatively and to have your own ideas and opinions on different things. I really enjoyed the teaching here and the support from my department is really good.
Sunnie, BSc Film and Television Production