York: a city guide for students

Yes, if you're planning to study in York, you can look forward to a fulfilling and well-rounded experience. It’s a vibrant, historic city with a friendly atmosphere, perfect for students. Home to the University of York and York St John University, the city is known for its strong academic community. 

You'll be able to explore York's rich history, including landmarks like York Minster and the city walls, while enjoying a wide range of cafes, pubs and cultural events. The city is compact and walkable, with beautiful green spaces to escape to outside of lectures and good public transport to get around easily.

How many students are in York?

York is home to approximately 25,000 students. Latest stats show that the University of York hosts around 19,000 students, including around 3,000 international students from 140 different countries. York St John University has about 6,000 students. This large student community contributes to the city's lively and inclusive atmosphere.

When it comes to study options, York’s got two universities for you to choose from: the University of York and York St John University. 

York St John University

York St John is the newest uni in the city, with over 6,000 students enrolled in 100 degree courses across a range of subjects. They have an 11-acre city centre campus close to York Minster and the City Walls. 

Former students include Scarlett Moffatt, who you might recognise from Gogglebox and I'm a Celebrity...Get Me Out of Here! 

From our York St John uni accommodation, The Boulevard and Frederick House, you’ll be able to get on campus in 25-30 minutes by foot or simply hop on one of the buses that stop right outside.

The University of York

The University of York is the bigger uni in the city, and has around 19,000 students from 140 countries. It’s a collegiate university, which means when you start here you’ll be able to join a college, which is like a society or club with community buildings and common rooms, but you’ll still have centralised teaching. 

The University of York is a member of the Russell Group and has partnerships with institutions across six continents. There are three campuses: West, East and King’s Manor (in the city centre). The West campus has plenty of greenery with a central hall used for concerts, surrounded by a lake. 

Looking for University of York accommodation? Frederick House is a 20-minute walk away, while The Boulevard is only a 10-minute walk to Campus West, making early morning lectures a breeze.

York is famous for being a pretty city with cute cobbled streets and timber-framed buildings, the most famous one being The Shambles. Here you can see the place that inspired Diagon Alley from the Harry Potter series, and enjoy traditional afternoon tea in one of the many cafes in this area. 

Shopping in York

York is a great city for shopping, with plenty of independent shops like the Portal Bookshop, a place to get comics, books and gifts featuring LGBTQ+ authors and characters.

The Shambles Market has produce for your weekly food shop, plus books, and gifts. There’s also a street food court with stalls selling food from all over the world. Ready for a rest? Enjoy the outdoor seating and free Wi-Fi. 

Explore history

If you’re a history fan you’ll find plenty to explore in this city which was founded by the Romans. There’s plenty of history to soak up simply by visiting the city walls. The ‘Wall Walk’ is a two-mile stretch along the raised monument, giving you a great view of the city – all for free! If you don’t fancy walking along the whole route, there are gateways along the path, so you can come and go. 

Another must-see historic attraction is York Minster, a cathedral built in the 7th century where you can climb up 275 steps to the top of the Central Tower for panoramic views of the whole city.

Student nightlife in York

When it comes to nightlife in York, there’s plenty to do once lectures are over. There are hundreds of pubs in the city, with many of them hosting live bands and DJs. The Fulford Arms and The Crescent both have a varied programme of bands playing every music genre under the sun. 

For cocktails, visit Evil Eye, a bar with exotic interiors and reasonably priced drinks. To go out-out, go to Kuda, York’s biggest nightclub with three floors of music (from House to R’n’B) and special events for students.

If you want to stay closer to campus, the University of York has five venues right on campus for you to choose from – meet friends, grab some food and enjoy a drink.

Student night in York is Wednesday when all the uni societies and sports clubs get together to socialise and celebrate. The University of York Students’ Union also hosts regular students-only club nights on Wednesdays and Fridays at Salvation and on Sundays at Revolution.

Unsurprisingly the most popular student areas in York are close to the two universities – who doesn’t want to roll out of bed and straight into lectures?

Popular student areas in York include:

• Hull Road – a vibrant student community close to the University of York, with a mix of house shares and modern, purpose-built student accommodation. You’ll find our The Boulevard property just an eight-minute walk from campus. Why not bag yourself a studio room and enjoy the extra space and comfort?
• York City Centre – a popular and convenient location for students at York St John uni. Student accommodation here is generally more expensive than other areas of the city, but you get to be at the heart of everything.
• Fulford – a little further out from the city centre, this location is popular with students who’re looking for a quieter, more suburban community. You’ll find our Frederick House property on Fulford Road, 20 minutes from the University of York and 30 minutes from York St John. Perfect for a short stroll to campus.

Ready to start your student story in this cathedral city? Take a look at our student accommodation in York and find your home from home.