Four decades since it was promoted in the 1960s, york university has established a global reputation and is consistently ranked among the top 10 uk varsities on most quality parameters

Promoted in the 1960s during the expansion period of higher education in Britain, the University of York has since established a global reputation and is consistently ranked in the top ten UK varsities on most quality parameters. The Sunday Times 2005 league table accords it seventh rank among 97 universities and first in the teaching quality parameter. Moreover 18 of the 23 subjects assessed in the most recent national Research Assessment Exercise were deemed internationally excellent.

Two hours from London by train, York University has an aggregate enrollment of 10,700 students, 8,100 of them full-time undergrads, studying in 30 academic departments and research centres which offer a range of subjects in the arts, social sciences and science and technology. The 42-year-old university has developed a unique collegiate system under which every student becomes a member of one of seven undergraduate colleges — Alcuin, Derwent, Goodricke, Halifax, James, Langwith and Vanbrugh. As well as providing residential, social and catering facilities, most colleges also house academic staff, departmental offices and seminar and lecture rooms. Living, learning and social activities are centred within the constituent colleges of the university.

Comments Prof. Brian Cantor, vice chancellor of York: “The creativity, intelligence, humour, diligence and sheer brilliance of people, has made this university the outstanding success it is. York is noted for its friendliness, non-hierarchical atmosphere, and collegiate approach. We can match this proudly with high quality teaching, research, and working with our community. So, whilst we still seem young, we have firm roots and the future is positive.”

York. An important political, cultural, religious and trading centre since Roman times, York retains architectural vestiges of every age, from ancient city walls, winding medieval streets to elegant Georgian town houses. The city’s major landmark is the Minster, the largest Gothic cathedral in northern Europe. Cars are banned in many parts of the city, so street life, traders and performers flourish in places like King’s Square and Stonegate.

But there’s more to York (pop. 180,000) than its history. Its cosmopolitan character offers students an array of pubs, bars, restaurants and quaint cafes. A variety of venues offer drama, dance, music and opera. An all-night rail service puts nightlife in Leeds and even Manchester within easy reach. Moreover York is also a cyclist’s haven — there are over 1,000 cycle parking spaces and a network of over 40 km of safe cycle routes in and around the city centre.

The climate is seasonal. Summer temperatures rise to 25oC while winter can be very cold (below freezing). Autumn and spring temperatures average around 12-15oC.

Campus facilities. The main university campus is in Heslington, on the edge of the city. Here the seven colleges, usually a mix of academic offices, student accommodation and social facilities, are grouped around a large lake across 200 acres of landscaped parkland. Campus life is quiet and generally traffic free, and there are frequent bus services to the city and a good network of cycle paths. On-campus facilities include shops (including the university bookshop), banks, dining halls, snack bars, a post office and two pubs.

In addition the university occupies a second campus in downtown York. King’s Manor, a group of mostly Grade 1 medieval buildings with later additions, houses the department of archaeology and some staff in the departments of English, history and history of art. Travel time between the two campuses is 25 minutes by bus.

The J.B. Morrell Library, the Raymond Burton Library and the Borthwick Institute for Archives occupy a complex of buildings on the main campus, within easy walking distance of departments and colleges. These libraries contain over 800,000 volumes and 3,500 current printed journals. King’s Manor library contains a valuable collection of architecture, architectural conservation and medieval studies texts.

For computer access, PCs are located throughout the campus (with 24 hour availability) to provide e-mail, internet and other services. Social life at the university is extensive and some 100 clubs and societies cater to a wide range of interests. An Overseas Students Association organises social events, talks and excursions and the campus hosts a wide range of events — concerts, films, theatre, exhibitions, and discos. Sports are well provided for with two sports halls, badminton, squash and tennis courts, a running track and an all-weather pitch. The rowing club has a boathouse on the river.

Admission. All applications to first year undergrad courses to York must be made through the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS). A list of degree programmes is available in the UCAS Directory, available in all British Council offices in India, together with a 2006 entry application form. UCAS started recei-ving applications for 2006 admissions from September 1, 2005. The closing date for medicine at Hull York Medical School was October 15, 2005 and for all other courses January 15, 2006.

The minimum eligibility criterion for admission is successful completion of Plus Two. Additionally overseas students whose mother tongue is not English have to show evidence of English language ability. An IELTS score of 6 or above or a TOEFL score of 550 is required as a minimum, although many departments ask for higher scores. For further information contact Admission and Schools Liaison Office, University of York, Heslington, York Y010 5DD; tel: 01904 433533/ 433 539; e-mail: admissions@york.ac.uk/ international@york.ac.uk, website: www.york.ac.uk.

Accommodation. All first year single undergrads are guaranteed university owned accommodation situated on or within a mile of the campus. In addition to teaching rooms, libraries and academic departments, the colleges provide substantial (over 2,300 first-year places) mixed residential accommodation. This consists of en-suite study-bedroom or single study bedroom with washbasins and shared bathrooms.

Other university accommodation is about five minutes walk from the campus centre. Together they offer 110 single study bedrooms, shared kitchens, a common room, laundry, television and telephones. Students who prefer private housing are guided by York University’s accommodation office.

Degree programmes. York offers undergrad and postgrad degree programmes across 30 academic departments covering a range of subjects in the arts, social sciences and science and technology (see box). The university also offers a degree in medicine through the Hull York Medical School. 

Scholastic options at York

Over 30 academic faculties at York offer opportunities for undergrad and postgrad study in a range of subjects spanning arts, sciences and social sciences. They include:

Arts. Archaeology, educational studies, English, history, history of art, language and linguistic science, music, philosophy, eighteenth-century studies, and medieval studies

Social sciences. Economics, social policy and social work, sociology, women’s studies, school of politics, economics and philosophy

Sciences. Biochemistry, biology, chemistry, computer science, electronic engineering, environment, health sciences, management studies, mathematics, physics, psychology, Hull York Medical School

Bill of costs (annual)
Tuition fee: £8,430-11,130
Living expenses: £5,100-6,200

NB £=Rs.82

Summiya Yasmeen