University of York
York
pros and cons of university of york
hi guys i literally have no idea what York is like so would really appreciate it if someone could give me the pros and cons of studying there as i'm considering applying there for politics and international relations.
also could someone let me know if it's diverse or not
(disclaimer: i only asked because i'm from East London where there are a mix of cultures + was wondering whether this was the case in York as well so I wouldn't have a culture shock lol)
also could someone let me know if it's diverse or not
(disclaimer: i only asked because i'm from East London where there are a mix of cultures + was wondering whether this was the case in York as well so I wouldn't have a culture shock lol)(edited 2 years ago)
I suggest you go to the university of York website and look at their online open days and campus tours. It is a Russel group university and one of the top unis in the country so could be considered a prestigious university although not as much as oxbridge.. They have a great campus and passionate lecturers. I don't know much about the subject you are looking at taking so you will have to wait for some other replies. Negatives i guess would be that the weather in York is completely dreadful most of the year. Expect frost, rain, hail, sleet, lots of wind, and cold... even in the summer.
Is it diverse? I guess that depends on your view of diverse. Compare it to Cornwall and its an extremely diverse bubbling broth of cultures. Compare it to London and it's extremely white. Saying that, the people are nice and the students are inclusive so you should have no problem fitting in if you are not a white brit. Why does diversity matter?
Is it diverse? I guess that depends on your view of diverse. Compare it to Cornwall and its an extremely diverse bubbling broth of cultures. Compare it to London and it's extremely white. Saying that, the people are nice and the students are inclusive so you should have no problem fitting in if you are not a white brit. Why does diversity matter?
University of York
York
Original post by eniale10
hi guys i literally have no idea what York is like so would really appreciate it if someone could give me the pros and cons of studying there as i'm considering applying there for politics and international relations.
also could someone let me know if it's diverse or not
also could someone let me know if it's diverse or not
Hi @eniale10
It's great to hear you're considering studying at York!
I've recently graduated from York with a BA in Politics and would be happy to answer any questions about the course, university or city.
Let me know if there's anything I can help with
Thanks,
Bea
Original post by University of York
Hi @eniale10
It's great to hear you're considering studying at York!
I've recently graduated from York with a BA in Politics and would be happy to answer any questions about the course, university or city.
Let me know if there's anything I can help with
Thanks,
Bea
It's great to hear you're considering studying at York!
I've recently graduated from York with a BA in Politics and would be happy to answer any questions about the course, university or city.
Let me know if there's anything I can help with
Thanks,
Bea
Hi Bea,
How did you find studying Politics at York? - was it enjoyable? And how is the social life/ how far is the nearest town?
Thank you!
Original post by eniale10
Hi Bea,
How did you find studying Politics at York? - was it enjoyable? And how is the social life/ how far is the nearest town?
Thank you!
How did you find studying Politics at York? - was it enjoyable? And how is the social life/ how far is the nearest town?
Thank you!
Hi @eniale10,
I loved studying Politics at York! The course itself was everything I wanted. I got to specialise in counterterrorism in Northern Ireland in my final year and chose other modules such as war and peace, border politics and UK politics which interested me too. I also had the opportunity to try different topics that I hadn't had access to before like political thought. Overall I had a really well rounded degree that kept me engaged for my three years. The department were great too, they were super helpful whenever I had questions on topics and I attended weekly office hours with my lecturers when I had questions on the subject or if I just wanted to know more about something. They were also very helpful when I struggled with things like referencing which I'd not done before.
In terms of my social life I found it pretty easy to balance my workload with societies and going out. In my second year I was Fashion Editor of an art, culture, fashion and music magazine called HARD and in my third year I was Editor. I absolutely loved HARD as it gave me skills I still use now and incredible experiences such as visiting London Fashion Week. I also wrote for one of the uni newspapers called Nouse and did some sports such as skiing which I learnt with the snowboarding and skiing society. There's over 250 societies to get involved in with everything from hummus appreciation to radio covered so they'll definitely be something for you. If not then it's very easy to make your own society. There's also over 65 sports teams ranging from casual college level to university level so there's plenty of opportunity to get involved. I always had great nights out in York too, there's a range of different clubs and a pub for every day of the year! It's also a really safe city so I never worried about getting home or going out late.
The city of York is very close to campus, it's about 10 minutes on the bus or a short walk or cycle. It's a lovely historic city that even after 4 years I'm not bored of. But if you are looking for somewhere slightly bigger then Leeds is around 20 minutes away on the train (and tickets are really cheap) and London is 2 hours on the train too.
If you'd like to explore the campus or city a bit more then you can download the self-guided tour app, Visit UoY or explore our virtual Open Day, York Virtual Visit.
Let me know if you have any more questions,
Bea
Original post by University of York
Hi @eniale10,
I loved studying Politics at York! The course itself was everything I wanted. I got to specialise in counterterrorism in Northern Ireland in my final year and chose other modules such as war and peace, border politics and UK politics which interested me too. I also had the opportunity to try different topics that I hadn't had access to before like political thought. Overall I had a really well rounded degree that kept me engaged for my three years. The department were great too, they were super helpful whenever I had questions on topics and I attended weekly office hours with my lecturers when I had questions on the subject or if I just wanted to know more about something. They were also very helpful when I struggled with things like referencing which I'd not done before.
In terms of my social life I found it pretty easy to balance my workload with societies and going out. In my second year I was Fashion Editor of an art, culture, fashion and music magazine called HARD and in my third year I was Editor. I absolutely loved HARD as it gave me skills I still use now and incredible experiences such as visiting London Fashion Week. I also wrote for one of the uni newspapers called Nouse and did some sports such as skiing which I learnt with the snowboarding and skiing society. There's over 250 societies to get involved in with everything from hummus appreciation to radio covered so they'll definitely be something for you. If not then it's very easy to make your own society. There's also over 65 sports teams ranging from casual college level to university level so there's plenty of opportunity to get involved. I always had great nights out in York too, there's a range of different clubs and a pub for every day of the year! It's also a really safe city so I never worried about getting home or going out late.
The city of York is very close to campus, it's about 10 minutes on the bus or a short walk or cycle. It's a lovely historic city that even after 4 years I'm not bored of. But if you are looking for somewhere slightly bigger then Leeds is around 20 minutes away on the train (and tickets are really cheap) and London is 2 hours on the train too.
If you'd like to explore the campus or city a bit more then you can download the self-guided tour app, Visit UoY or explore our virtual Open Day, York Virtual Visit.
Let me know if you have any more questions,
Bea
I loved studying Politics at York! The course itself was everything I wanted. I got to specialise in counterterrorism in Northern Ireland in my final year and chose other modules such as war and peace, border politics and UK politics which interested me too. I also had the opportunity to try different topics that I hadn't had access to before like political thought. Overall I had a really well rounded degree that kept me engaged for my three years. The department were great too, they were super helpful whenever I had questions on topics and I attended weekly office hours with my lecturers when I had questions on the subject or if I just wanted to know more about something. They were also very helpful when I struggled with things like referencing which I'd not done before.
In terms of my social life I found it pretty easy to balance my workload with societies and going out. In my second year I was Fashion Editor of an art, culture, fashion and music magazine called HARD and in my third year I was Editor. I absolutely loved HARD as it gave me skills I still use now and incredible experiences such as visiting London Fashion Week. I also wrote for one of the uni newspapers called Nouse and did some sports such as skiing which I learnt with the snowboarding and skiing society. There's over 250 societies to get involved in with everything from hummus appreciation to radio covered so they'll definitely be something for you. If not then it's very easy to make your own society. There's also over 65 sports teams ranging from casual college level to university level so there's plenty of opportunity to get involved. I always had great nights out in York too, there's a range of different clubs and a pub for every day of the year! It's also a really safe city so I never worried about getting home or going out late.
The city of York is very close to campus, it's about 10 minutes on the bus or a short walk or cycle. It's a lovely historic city that even after 4 years I'm not bored of. But if you are looking for somewhere slightly bigger then Leeds is around 20 minutes away on the train (and tickets are really cheap) and London is 2 hours on the train too.
If you'd like to explore the campus or city a bit more then you can download the self-guided tour app, Visit UoY or explore our virtual Open Day, York Virtual Visit.
Let me know if you have any more questions,
Bea
Thank you so much for this it was really helpful and I'm definitely applying to York now!!
Original post by eniale10
hi guys i literally have no idea what York is like so would really appreciate it if someone could give me the pros and cons of studying there as i'm considering applying there for politics and international relations.
also could someone let me know if it's diverse or not
also could someone let me know if it's diverse or not
It's a uni, so its much more diverse than my (very white) hometown, but in the grand scheme of UK unis it's more on the 'white British' side. I have some modules in the politics department and absolutely adore our first year lecturer, Dan. I also live with someone doing politics and IR and he's enjoying the course.
Pro: it's a lovely city, doesn't feel big or overwhelming but has everything you need. Also full of history
Con: housing is more expensive than other northern unis
Pro: Lots to do! I personally adore museums so I'm working my way through visiting them all. Several attractions are also free to uni students, like the Minster.
Con: I've heard people complain the nightlife isn't very lively or there are fewer options than other cities, this doesn't bother me though as I don't really go out much. Also, tourists EVERYWHERE in the city centre
Pro: campus is lovely and feels like a park, the ducks are quite friendly and feeding them is a great way to de-stress
Con: the buildings are very '60s brutalist' and ugly. tbh I thought this would matter more before I came here, but now I realise it actually has no bearing on my experience. I will say though as a result some of the west campus accommodation leaves something to be desired, and internal walls can be quite thin.
Pro/con- really depends what you're looking for: If you're used to a big, busy, modern city, the vibe here would be very different, it would probably feel quieter. If you're used to, and want the countryside, there's lots of green spaces and parks, but you have to travel outside of the ring road for miles of rolling fields. I think overall theres a good balance though, the campus is next to a large moor but also a short walk to the city centre- which itself is quite pedestrian friendly.
If you come to york, I'd recommend bringing a bike to cycle around/between campuses/to the shops etc. It's a very bike and pedestrian friendly place and I've spent less than £10 on transport since being here
Original post by Picnicl
It looks like a science park throughout. Which can be weird for some arts students. It can be eerily dead on weekends
It takes a certain character to appreciate the layered beauty of 60s brutalist architecture.
Original post by Anholm
I suggest you go to the university of York website and look at their online open days and campus tours. It is a Russel group university and one of the top unis in the country so could be considered a prestigious university although not as much as oxbridge.. They have a great campus and passionate lecturers. I don't know much about the subject you are looking at taking so you will have to wait for some other replies. Negatives i guess would be that the weather in York is completely dreadful most of the year. Expect frost, rain, hail, sleet, lots of wind, and cold... even in the summer.
Is it diverse? I guess that depends on your view of diverse. Compare it to Cornwall and its an extremely diverse bubbling broth of cultures. Compare it to London and it's extremely white. Saying that, the people are nice and the students are inclusive so you should have no problem fitting in if you are not a white brit. Why does diversity matter?
Is it diverse? I guess that depends on your view of diverse. Compare it to Cornwall and its an extremely diverse bubbling broth of cultures. Compare it to London and it's extremely white. Saying that, the people are nice and the students are inclusive so you should have no problem fitting in if you are not a white brit. Why does diversity matter?
You don’t have the ask for question why diversity matters to that individual. Not everyone wants to go somewhere where they stand out like a sore thumb. University is an extremely new and challenging experience alone, and culture shock can come in various forms. Moving from London to York can be more than just an extreme change of pace. It’s about time people stop getting so insecure and defensive whenever someone asks about diversity in a place/uni. It’s stupid.
Original post by Anholm
It takes a certain character to appreciate the layered beauty of 60s brutalist architecture.
It's not actually the fact that it's Brutalist architecture on the older campus that's the issue. It's that it lacks the combination of lively setting and high rise grandeur necessary for public building Brutalism to feel liveable in. Great Brutalism absolutely must feel fortress-like, with quirky use of asymmetry, unusual and often grandiose entrances, lobbies, and staircases. Otherwise it just feels like York's - comprehensive school meets suburban hospital. Leicester University and others show how to make Brutalism work really well, even in the halls of residences. I think it's a weird setting too - a huge lake with a spaceship in the middle would undoubtedly look and feel pretty good in Los Angeles but at the back end of a council area in drizzly York it can feel too dystopian. They built a hospital structure and called it a university
(edited 2 years ago)
Original post by Anonymous
You don’t have the ask for question why diversity matters to that individual. Not everyone wants to go somewhere where they stand out like a sore thumb. University is an extremely new and challenging experience alone, and culture shock can come in various forms. Moving from London to York can be more than just an extreme change of pace. It’s about time people stop getting so insecure and defensive whenever someone asks about diversity in a place/uni. It’s stupid.
Yes, I understand completely and phrased that question wrong. I was meaning to ask if a diverse environment would make them feel more comfortable, does it matter to them that to the point they feel their experience would be affected by not being in a diverse environment. It's an important thing to consider.
I never meant to seem like a nationalist troll.
Usually in top 10-15 universities and now lower than top 20. So a solid reputable leading Russell group university. Target university for many consulting, tech and finance jobs - big 4 etc. Semi target for investment banking - Goldmans sachs, JP Morgan etc
Very middle class university. Although, only about 20% private school so much lower than Oxbridge 40-50% private school kids.
Is about 90% white British, so about same as UK native population. So a reasonable amount of diversity with 10% ethnic minority (Asian, Black etc). About 1.8% is black.
Very middle class university. Although, only about 20% private school so much lower than Oxbridge 40-50% private school kids.
Is about 90% white British, so about same as UK native population. So a reasonable amount of diversity with 10% ethnic minority (Asian, Black etc). About 1.8% is black.
(edited 1 year ago)
Is it really a semi target for Goldmans Sachs, JP Morgan? I thought their specialty being health econ that IB wouldn't come. I am an international student actually have an unconditional offer their MSc econ program and am interested but always worry about the ever fluctuating regulations and how it will impact transition into a Skilled Worker Visa. I'm frankly not very interested in IB but yea if I get it I'll take it for the money to help clear the student loans faster. And frankly I don't care too much about diversity - I'm an Indian who has had a fair share of interactions with Arabs, Africans, Filipinos, Brits and even some Americans.
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