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York Virtual VisitPostgraduate

Campus and city

We've got the best of both worlds - a green, parkland campus within walking distance of one of the UK's most iconic city centres.

York is regularly named one of the best places to live and visit in the UK. With a population of 200,000, it’s big enough to feel lively and small enough to feel like home. York is also a family-friendly city with high-performing schools. There are festivals and events throughout the year for everyone to enjoy.

King's Manor and the Guildhall - our Grade I listed city-centre locations - provide an atmospheric setting in the heart of the action. Away from the crowds, our main campus is the perfect place in which to live and study, with outstanding teaching and research facilities.

2nd safest city

in the UK according to industry body, Get Licensed in their 2023 review.

200 acres of scenic parkland

on our green, landscaped campus

20,000+ students from 150+ countries

all part of our diverse, global community

2 lakes and a bird sanctuary

A wide range of wildlife and waterfowl

Let us give you a tour...

Postgraduate students, Haruna and Laura take you on a tour around campus and show you some of the facilities on offer at York (9 mins).

Video

Campus tour

... or take one of your own!

Take a self-guided tour of our campus or the city with our new app - Visit UoY, with dedicated tours for postgraduates and international students. You can either visit us in-person and explore the campus for yourself, or get the campus tour experience from the comfort of your own home.

Google Play Store - get the app

Apple App Store - get the app

See our App guide for more information.

You might also be interested in

Video

A postgraduate view of the city of York

(1 min)
Video

Library, archives and IT facilities

(2 mins)
Video

Humanities Research Centre

(3 mins)

Are you an international student?

We know that you'll experience a warm welcome from the people of York - and before long you'll be calling York home. Here is Xuanqi from China reciting a poem about York (1 min).

This video is in Chinese - make sure you put the subtitles on if you need them.

Watch https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E9SR9D04KOU on YouTube

Former international student Xuanqi (Management with Business Finance graduate, Constantine College) recites a poem about York

Research facilities

We're home to a large number of world-renowned research institutes, centres and facilities which promote specialist and interdisciplinary research across departments.

Explore our research facilities

Central Hall

Campus West

Campus West is an inspiring environment for you to study and live in. It's the original and largest area of campus, where lots of our departments, colleges and facilities are based. At the heart of campus is a large lake which hosts a variety of wildlife. 

On campus modern buildings rub shoulders with characterful 1960s architecture and the 16th-century historic Heslington Hall. Our Student Centre will be the newest addition, due to be completed in the next couple of years. This will be campus' central welcome point, with multi-function spaces including event and exhibition space, space for clubs and societies, and a roof garden. 

Central Hall is the distinctive centrepiece of Campus West which hosts lectures, conferences, shows and graduation ceremonies. It sits next to Greg's Place, an open-air community hub for socialising, events and summer sun which overlooks our wonderful campus lake.
Open 362 days of the year, our extensive library is the perfect place to study, research and read. Our main library contains three buildings - JB Morrell, Harry Fairhurst and Raymond Burton. As well as the central library, there are specialist collections at King's Manor and York Minster Library in the city centre.
There are plenty of spots where you can meet people and socialise on campus. Grab a bite to eat with friends in our cafés, restaurants or bars, make use of our sports facilities or enjoy a film at student cinema.
At Market Square on Campus West you'll find our campus supermarket, a clothing and gift shop, the Campus Safety Team, legal clinic and student hub.
The modern, light-filled Church Lane Building is home to management, social policy and social work students. It features bespoke teaching and learning spaces, a cafe and a dedicated area for PhD researchers.
YUSU, our Students' Union, organises events such as Roses, Summer Ball and Freshers'. They also provide services including the Advice & Support Centre (ASC), run our campus bars and facilitate student democracy and representation, societies, sports clubs and volunteering opportunities. 
Heslington Hall is the administrative centre and oldest building on Campus West. We opened our doors in 1963 but since then we have grown and excelled. Heslington Hall is next to The Quiet Place, just one of our lovely green spaces on campus. It’s a great place to relax and also where most of our students take their graduation photos as it provides the perfect backdrop.
From the Department of Psychology's sleep laboratory to the Department of Music's basement recording studio, we invest in state-of-the-art facilities so that you can have the best possible learning experience.
Ron Cooke Hub

Campus East

Campus East is a hub of creative activity, where you'll find our extensive media complex, modern teaching buildings and dedicated areas for collaboration. It's home to a number of departments and colleges, and excellent sporting and community facilities.

It's just a 20-minute walk, 10-minute cycle or e-scooter ride, or a quick and free bus ride away from Campus West.

Ron Cooke Hub is the central point of Campus East. It hosts fairs and exhibitions and features prayer facilities and a 360 degree immersive video space.
The Piazza Building is where our English language pre-sessional courses and pathway courses take place. There's a cafe and canteen for coffee or dinner.
You can admire lake views while you eat at the Piazza restaurant and the Students' Union-run Glasshouse is a great place to relax and catch up with friends.
York Sport Village gives you access to a wide range of first-class sport, fitness and health facilities, including a gym, velodrome, 3G football pitches and two pools.
Computer Science, the School of Arts and Creative Technologies, Sociology and the York Law School are based here. The School of Arts and Creative Technologies' 200-seat theatre is packed with the state-of-the-art theatre technology, from cueing systems to sophisticated lighting desk and audio facilities.
Unity Health is the doctor's practice located on Campus East, right next to the shops on Kimberlow Hill. Lots of students choose to register here.
York Art Gallery

City

Alongside idyllic green spaces and a vibrant nightlife, York is packed with historic architecture, atmospheric cafes and independent shops. The city boasts a thriving street food scene alongside high-quality restaurants.

Our city centre locations at King's Manor and the Guildhall place you in the heart of the action, where there's always something new for you to discover.

Spark:York is a popular location in the city featuring bars and eateries in upcycled shipping containers. York has so many bars, pubs, cafes and restaurants so there's always somewhere exciting to visit.
Walking around the city walls is a fantastic way to explore York's rich history.
The York Art Gallery houses prints, watercolours, drawings and ceramics from the medieval to contemporary periods. It's just one of the city's many cultural hubs among museums, galleries and theatres.
The Shambles is one of the best-preserved medieval streets in Europe, with overhanging timber-framed buildings, some dating back as far as the fourteenth century. Some claim it was also the inspiration for Diagon Alley in the Harry Potter series.
The River Ouse runs through York, as does the River Foss. It's a beautiful place to go for a walk and there are lots of bars and restaurants that offer a brilliant view. Image from www.visityork.org.
Our best known landmark, York Minster, is one of the largest cathedrals in northern Europe and well loved by York residents. As a student it's free to enter and a lovely, quiet place to explore in your free time.
Campus meets city in the beautiful and historic King's Manor, the medieval home of Henry VIII’s Council of the North. Our Department of Archaeology, Centre for Medieval Studies and Centre for Eighteenth Century Studies are based here.
York has hundreds of shops to explore, from independent boutiques to our designer outlet. You’ll find everything you need. Image from www.visityork.org.
There’s plenty of green space to relax around the city. Take a serene walk by the river or enjoy the historic surroundings in one of our parks.
There’s always delicious food to enjoy whether that’s in one of our acclaimed restaurants or many food markets. Image from www.visityork.org.
The Christmas spirit really does take over the city with loads of events to get involved in. From carols at York Minster, to the Christmas markets on Parliament Street. You’re bound to feel festive. Image from www.visityork.org.
Immerse yourself in York’s unique Viking history. We’re the proud home of the Jorvik Centre that also hosts an annual nine day festival of Viking themed events which take over the city. 
There’s often quirky events and exhibitions happening in York. From the Micklegate Run Soapbox Race, to York Fashion Week, and light art installations. 
We’ve got the York Barbican, York Theatre Royal, Joseph Rowntree Theatre and The Grand Opera House where you can enjoy renowned shows and see famous performers all year round. Image from www.visityork.org.

2nd best night out in the UK

The industry body Get Licensed have named York as the second best place in the UK for a night out (2023).

Learn more

Purple Flag accreditation

The Association of Town and City Management have recognised York as a safe, entertaining and thriving destination after dark (2022).

Ellie
One of my favourite things about being at university is getting to live in York. There’s always something going on and plenty of hidden gems of York to explore. I’ve been here five years and I’m still working my way through all the cafes!
Ellie, MSc Digital Heritage. Read Ellie's blog post.

Find out more

York city guide
Postgraduate taught: living and learning
Postgraduate research: living and learning

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