Uni of York

Hi,
I'm thinking of applying to york uni to do biochem and wanted to ask some questions...

- Not sure about self catered and catered. I think self catered would be fun and also helpful in learning to cook and its very flexible but then I feel i may miss out on the social aspects on catered.

- should i go for ensuite or is it really not worth it?

- the bio and chem departments are in Hes west, but the nicer accomodation is in Hes east - would it be okay to go there, is it annoying living on one and having lectures on the other?

- which campus/colleges are the most sociable?

- I like drama and may join the musical theatre society - anyone know where that is located - Hes east or west?

- where are the best places to hang out on the campuses?

sorry, so many questions ... last one ahah , any college recommendations for me - im quite sporty and like a social and fun atmosphere - but not toooo many parties.

thank you so much!!!

Hey, hope you're doing well!

- I was catered in my first year (except weekends) though I would've preferred being self-catered. I think whatever you go for, there's still going to be the social element where you'll socialise over meals - perhaps slightly less so for self-catered if you don't have a dinning table.

- I had to share a bathroom and toilet which wasn't as bad as you think because the cleaner comes round to do a deep and thorough clean every weekday followed by a quick clean every weekday. With Covid, the cleaning on campus has been ramped up so rest assured that the uni is doing everything to keep people safe.

- Biology is based in Vanbrugh and near Wentworth (postgrad college) and Chemistry is based in Alcuin - all on Hes West/main campus. If you're after nice accommodation, I recommend Alcuin or Vanbrugh. James is really overpriced. As for Hes East, the accommodation there is ofc newer but that comes with price. You can easily get round between campuses for free by bus (Routes 66, 66a) just tell the driver where you're going.

- Hes East is a bit quiet but all colleges regardless of what campus do arrange a lot of social events, etc. and there's usually something going on so it shouldn't be a problem. Halifax is further out on Hes West but the accommodation is cheaper there and it's near to the sports fields. Alcuin is stereotypically seen as the 'quiet college' which isn't true because although it's on a hill, there's a good mix of people in the college and trust me, some do really love to socialise and party hard. Derwent is stereotypically the opposite of Alcuin but again, I must stress that there's a good mix of people in every college.

- Music department is based in Hes West (Vanbrugh) and I think drama would fell under TFTI (Theatre, Film, Television and Interactive Media) in Hes East. In terms of the actual societies, I don't know - they could hold social events and stuff on either campus tbh.

- Easy question Courtyard imo is the best bar out of the whole uni and it's based in Hes West (Derwent).

- College recommendations... It's a tricky one. For Hes West, I would say Alcuin, Halifax and Vanbrugh if you're after decent accommodation. Alcuin is a slight trek for the Sports Centre (based in James on Hes West) but you can get there via a footbridge to Derwent and follow signs for James. Alternatively, just hop on a 66/66a bus to Hes East for the Sports Village (66a goes straight there). For Hes East, I would avoid Constantine as their accommodation is the priciest of the lot.

Hope this helps!

Edit: Forget to say that James is stereotypically seen as the sporty college but their accommodation is overpriced.

Hey! I'm also starting in September but for what I've found out I think I can answer some of your questions:

- if you prefer self catered you should choose it, because even though catered offers some kind of social life, you can always make friends by other ways.

- I, for instance, chose ensuite. it all comes down to your preference, are you willing to pay a bit more for your own bathroom?

- I have watched some videos of students living in east and their classes being in west, they just have to take the free bus or a ride in the bike! It doesn't take much time either. I, for instance, chose campus west because I prefer to have my classes near me

- Derwent is known to be the social college because they have the best parties or something like that, but in the end every college does lots of activities

- The college known for being sporty is James college, since they are near the sports centre or something like that, so maybe you can take a look at it, but I think you should focus more on the location of the accomodation, the rooms and things like that because for what I've read in other forums, you will meet lots of people with completely different personalities in each!

- There is a campus west tour on university instagram page that shows many cool places where you can hang out if you're interested, it is a really nice tour!

Thanks so much this is so helpful!

I have a few other questions if you don't mind answering them...

- what is the difference between the sports village and the sports centre? what is in each one?
- Langwith v Goodricke?
- do you happen to know roughly how much people spend per week on food/drinks and other stuff... and also how much you spend on freshers week ahah

Thanks

thanks! which course and colleges have you applied for?

I am going to do biomedical science, and already got into Alcuin!

Oh cool - was alcuin your first choice?

yes! I would have been really dissapointed if I didn't get it since I applied super early to get an en suit. Have you applied to the freshers facebook group?

Just want to add that there's nothing wrong with having a shared bathroom accommodation and I've managed. For reassurance, there's a weekly deep clean of the shared bathroom (on a weekday) and there's a quick daily clean on top. Obviously, with Covid, cleaning around campus has been ramped up and the uni is doing everything to keep people safe.

didn't intend to say having shared bathroom is bad, sorry ! As you said, I read that it is regularly cleaned but, tbh, it's not my cup of tea