york st john or uni of leeds?
hey 
ive firmed york st john for film studies but am really regretting this now because im not sure if it was the best decision for me. i'm thinking of trying to get into uni of leeds but its so difficult as im the most indecisive person ever !! :'( so if anyone on either course or at either uni has any input it would be really appreciated. ive always wanted to go to a big uni and i think leeds is best for that, plus the course looks rly interesting and the year abroad would be so cool. but i love york so much as a city and i do love the uni and course too..
ive firmed york st john for film studies but am really regretting this now because im not sure if it was the best decision for me. i'm thinking of trying to get into uni of leeds but its so difficult as im the most indecisive person ever !! :'( so if anyone on either course or at either uni has any input it would be really appreciated. ive always wanted to go to a big uni and i think leeds is best for that, plus the course looks rly interesting and the year abroad would be so cool. but i love york so much as a city and i do love the uni and course too..Reply 1
I'm finishing up my second year of film studies at YSJ and it's been absolutely great so far. The modules are interesting, the lecturers are engaging, friendly and approachable, the coursework is very manageable and honestly really enjoyable since you're given a lot of freedom in regards to what you wanna write about. They also do trips, like there was a trip to Paris this year for example. The uni's right in the center of town and it's not that big so you'll be able to find your way around pretty quickly. Overall I'd really recommend YSJ but I can't speak for Leeds obv. Hope that's helpful!
Reply 2
Original post
by ladymoonlighthey ive firmed york st john for film studies but am really regretting this now because im not sure if it was the best decision for me. i'm thinking of trying to get into uni of leeds but its so difficult as im the most indecisive person ever !! :'( so if anyone on either course or at either uni has any input it would be really appreciated. ive always wanted to go to a big uni and i think leeds is best for that, plus the course looks rly interesting and the year abroad would be so cool. but i love york so much as a city and i do love the uni and course too..
ive firmed york st john for film studies but am really regretting this now because im not sure if it was the best decision for me. i'm thinking of trying to get into uni of leeds but its so difficult as im the most indecisive person ever !! :'( so if anyone on either course or at either uni has any input it would be really appreciated. ive always wanted to go to a big uni and i think leeds is best for that, plus the course looks rly interesting and the year abroad would be so cool. but i love york so much as a city and i do love the uni and course too..Hi there! ☺️
I'm Kiera, a third-year Psychology student at YSJ. While I can’t speak specifically about the Film Studies course, I can definitely share some insight into what it’s like studying at YSJ.
YSJ is quite a bit smaller than the University of Leeds. Leeds has around 36,000 students, while YSJ has closer to 12,000. Both sizes have their advantages, and it’s definitely worth thinking about what a smaller university can offer too! Personally, I’ve found that being at a smaller uni has made a big difference in terms of support. Whether it’s academic help, wellbeing services, or disability support, everything is accessible, there's no long waits or struggling to get appointments. It’s also easier to speak directly with lecturers since you’re not competing with hundreds of students for their time.
Psychology is one of the bigger courses at YSJ (around 250 students per year), so we have large lectures but we are then split up into smaller seminar groups (20-40 students max). The smaller class sizes mean it’s easier to ask for help, get to know your lecturers, and receive more personalised support. For me, the benefits of a smaller uni far outweighed those of a bigger one — but it all depends on what kind of environment suits you best!
York itself was a huge part of my decision too. I actually fell in love with the city first, and then YSJ! It’s a beautiful, safe city with loads to do, great student discounts, and a fun nightlife. And if you’re ever craving a big night out, Leeds is only a short train ride away — return tickets are usually under £5 on weekdays for student nights.
As for Film Studies - I know the course cohorts are quite small, which is great for such a hands-on subject. YSJ also has strong links to the creative scene in York, including the Aesthetica Short Film Festival. York is actually a UNESCO City of Media Arts. YSJ also offers a year abroad for many courses, even if it’s not always advertised online, so I’d recommend contacting the uni to check if that’s an option for Film Studies too.
If you can, I’d really encourage you to attend an open day or offer holder day at both universities. Speak with staff, explore the campuses, and see how each place feels. If somewhere just “feels right,” that’s usually a good sign you're in the right place
Kiera
Student Ambassador, YSJ
Reply 3
Which course offers you the best chance of getting a job at the end of it? It is alright doing a course that is "enjoyable" but it is only for 3 years and you have the rest of your working life to consider if that course was the one that led to a good job.
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