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Practical Tips for Studying in York
Getting Around York
York is super walkable, which I love, but buses are handy too. As a student you can ride free on the U1 and U2 buses within campus. The U1 is free until Green Dykes Lane and the U2 is free until The Retreat. If you live off campus or plan to go into the city center frequently I would definitely suggest buying a term or annual bus pass on the First Bus app. Many students buy bikes, and Ubers are always available.
Travel Beyond York
The trains here are great. From York you can get to Manchester and Edinburgh in about 2.5 hours, and London in 3.5 hours. Definitely get a Railcard for discounts and try to book tickets in advance. I’ve used nearby airports like Manchester and Leeds Bradford for my Europe trips, it makes weekend travel really easy.
Accommodation
There are a few different types of housing for students in York. Here’s what I’ve noticed:
- On-campus accommodation is usually cheaper but you don’t get much choice about what type of room you get and may end up sharing spaces. This is a great way to make friends, but of course some people value more private living spaces.
- Off-campus student residences are pricier but often nicer and full of international students, which makes it easy to meet likeminded people.
- Private rentals are the most affordable long-term, but landlords usually want you to view properties in person, so it’s a better option for after completing first-year. If you’re looking for housing after your first year, this usually starts around November/December.
And if you’re leaving for the summer, don’t forget about storage (spaces book up quickly)!
Banking & Finances
I set up a local bank account, but getting a Wise card has also been really helpful for quickly and easily converting money into any currency I needed when travelling.
Hope this helps!
Why study Law at the University of York?
Why Study Abroad?
For me, studying abroad has been as much about personal growth as it has been about academics. Moving across the world forced me to become more independent and to figure out how to adapt quickly to a new environment.
Another big part of the experience has been travel. Coming from North America, I’ve loved how connected Europe is. Flights and trains make it easy to take trips I’d never be able to do at home. Some of my favourite memories so far include celebrating Halloween in Lisbon and Lagos, Portugal, visiting magical Christmas markets in Sweden and Denmark, and taking a weekend trip to Edinburgh for even more Christmas markets. Those opportunities are one of the best parts of living here.
Why York? - City Vibe & Culture
I chose York because I wanted somewhere smaller and more personal than London, but still lively. The city is full of medieval streets, old stone walls, and beautiful architecture. It feels like you’re walking through history every day. People are also genuinely friendly, which makes settling in a lot easier.
Why York? - Small & Cosy, But Never Boring
York is the right size: big enough that there’s always something going on, but small enough that you get to know it really well. I’ve loved the pop-up markets, abundance of thrift shops, and spending time in cafés and pubs. Some of my favourite spots are Shambles Korner, Gatehouse Coffee, Valhalla Pub, House of Trembling Madness, Nola, and SPARK. If you want to know what’s happening around the city, I recommend following @york.uk and @york.independentlife on Instagram.
Why York Law School?
One of the main reasons I chose York Law School is its unique problem-based learning (PBL) approach. I found the idea of working through real-life legal problems in small groups much more engaging than traditional lecture-heavy teaching. It’s been a great way to learn because it mirrors how lawyers actually think and work, and it makes classes feel collaborative rather than competitive. I’ve really enjoyed the mix of seminars, workshops, and independent study, and I feel like it’s helped me develop not just legal knowledge but also practical skills like teamwork, research, and communication.
Debunking Myths about Studying in the UK
Join our advising team as they go over common myths and misconceptions about studying in the UK, to help you feel more confident in your decision to study abroad! Will your degree really transfer back? Do you have to like tea? Tune in to find out!
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It's Too Early to Apply - Now What?
It can be frustrating to reach a decision on your next steps only to realize you have to wait before you can actually apply and get things underway. But what you might not realize is that we work with many students in this situation. We are happy to help you identify ways that you can get started on your application process and as a bonus you'll help to make things easier for yourself down the road.
Join our advising team as they detail their top tricks, tips and advice for preparing for your applications early. If you are interested in studying in the UK in a future year, this webinar will cover the little things you can be doing now that make a big difference later.
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Do's and Don't's for Writing a UCAS Personal Statement
Join our advising team as we cover the most common mistakes students make when writing a personal statement for their UCAS application. We'll highlight ways you can avoid these mistakes and provide recommendations on the top ways to write a personal statement that impresses admissions teams.
