Study facilities and skills training
Whatever you're learning, we provide a range of services and resources to help you develop the skills you need to succeed.
Space to think
There are extensive library resources and study spaces across campus.
Through these spaces, you'll have access to more than a million print books and a large range of online resources that you can use from anywhere in the world. There are hundreds of thousands of ebooks and online journals, as well as statistics, reports and data available to you.
Library
Our central library provides a range of places to work, research and study. Open 362 days a year, from 8am until midnight, and 24/7 during exam periods, it provides over 1,200 study and social learning spaces. These include:
- contemporary study rooms with flexible furniture, as well as traditional silent study zones;
- several other spaces co-designed with students, including a Family Study Room for students to study alongside their children, and a forthcoming Sensory Room; and,
- two creative labs - Creativity Lab and YorCreate - offering a wide selection of equipment to explore Virtual Reality (VR), Augmented Reality (AR), 3D design, podcasting, 360 filming and recording, plus much more.
You can also make use the Library Cafe and kitchen to help you re-energise while studying.
The Library is also home to the impressive Borthwick Institute for Archives, one of the largest and most varied archives and historical records of any university in the UK.
Related links
As well as the central Library, you'll find other dedicated study spaces across campus. Other spaces can be found in the city centre with our library at King's Manor, which holds specialist collections relating to architecture and archaeology. You'll also have access to York Minster Library, the largest cathedral library in the country.
Each department has an online Subject Guide and subject-specific Academic Liaison Librarian to help you find the most relevant resources for your studies. We offer online support (including 24-hour live chat), and workshops to help you develop your academic skills, from traditional research skills to coding and creating interactive media.
The Library is my favourite place to study on campus. There are zones for all types of studying – from Silent to Quiet to Studious Buzz. You can also book study rooms for yourself or a group, which is great when you have a big chunk of studying to do.
Lily, MChem Chemistry
Take a look around
Whatever you're learning, we have the resources to support you.
Connect on campus
You’ll find it easy to get connected with our extensive free Wifi across campus and the city centre. We offer a range of other IT services and support to keep you connected on and off campus, including:
- remote access to files and apps
- nearly 1,000 open-access networked Mac, Windows and Linux computers in more than 20 locations across campus
- the chance to borrow a laptop from us on campus with our laptop loans
- recordings of timetabled lectures through our Replay service
- access to our virtual learning environment (VLE) - where you can access course materials and communicate with other students and staff.
Develop your skill set
You can access guidance, resources and activities to assist with your studies and strengthen your employability through our Academic Skills Community. You can boost your skills with online resources, workshops and one-to-one advice and guidance.
Our informal, inclusive and friendly workshops are held throughout the year, and are open to all University of York students.
Communication skills
Get involved in workshops that will help to build your confidence in presenting individually, as well as collaborating, speaking and listening effectively with others.
Academic study skills
One-to-one appointments for academic writing, maths skills, data skills, and study coaching are available to all students.
The Writing Centre and Maths Skills Centre provide 1:1 appointments that are individually tailored to the needs of each student. Our tutors are experienced in advising students in all subject areas and levels of study.
Academic integrity
Learn how to follow good academic practice in your reading and writing, and how to avoid plagiarism.
Maths skills
Discuss and develop your maths and statistics skills at the Maths Skills Centre to supplement your department’s support and maximise your success.
Digital skills
Improve your digital skills and get the most out of our software packages with our Skills Guides. Or drop into our Digital Wednesdays training sessions.
The Creativity Lab in the central library also offer events, training sessions and introductory kit workshops, allowing the exploration of digital creativity and the chance to apply new skills under the guidance of industry experts. These include Creative Mondays and DigiCreate Fridays.
Elective modules
Step outside your degree programme and expand your knowledge with elective and language modules. These are a great way to broaden your academic horizons and boost your employability.
