UniHomes guide to

York

The York Student Guide: York City Centre

Christmas in York: A Student's Guide to the Festivities

Check out more posts like these on our student blog

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Uni Life in York

Student life in York has a lot to offer. As the largest city in North Yorkshire, York is full of things to do, whatever you like to do on a weekend. What's more, this historic city was founded by the Romans, yet conquered by Vikings, so there's a lot of history to get your teeth into here.

The city houses two large universities, the University of York and York St John University. If you want your student life in York to be unforgettable as well as convenient, be sure to bag yourself some accommodation near your institution in areas such as Heslington, the city centre, or Hull Road.

Key reasons to study in York

  • 1
    Nightlife to remember

    You’ll never be bored on a weekend in York. Student nightlife in York is varied, whether you’re after a pint at Charles XII, trying a cocktail in Evil Eye, or going wild at Vudu. Pay Flares a visit for throwbacks. The Blue Bell is packed with Edwardian charm, although don’t forget that it has a no swearing rule!

  • 2
    Historical spots

    History weaves itself into everyday York student life, whether you’re walking along the City Walls to get to class, passing the stunning York Minster, or visiting Clifford’s Tower on the weekend. The number one must-see historical spot in York is The Shambles, a charming cobbled street which really did inspire Diagon Alley in Harry Potter!

  • 3
    Legendary Christmas markets

    Christmas draws tourists from all over the country to York, where you’ll find one of the most iconic Christmas markets. Here you’ll find food, drink, and gifts from local York traders in more than 70 alpine chalets. Grab your Secret Santa gifts and drink mulled wine with your flatmates!

  • 4
    Team spirit

    If you’re a sports lover, you’ll feel at home in York. There are over 75 student-run clubs at the University of York, and you may also want to compete in (or watch) Roses, the university’s annual sports competition with Lancaster University. Check out the York Sports Village in Heslington to get involved.

  • 5
    Excellent transport links

    Student life in York is made easier with its efficient transport network. The city boasts free inter-campus travel for students - as long as you stay in the Campus Zone, you can tap on and off for free on the U1 and U2. You’ll also have access to York Railway Station, which can easily get you to neighbouring cities like Leeds, but also farther away to London.

  • 6
    A student-sized city

    The great thing about York is that it is often compact enough to get around on foot, and the campuses are very accessible from the city centre. You’ll never be too far from a pub or a park, but you probably won’t get lost either! This means you can feel at home in one of the safest cities in the UK and also enjoy a vibrant night out after a week of lectures.

Having grown up near York, I'd say the coffee shop and bakery scene here is one of the best for students looking to find a new aesthetic caffeine hotspot; to name a few, Heppni Bakeri for a pre-lecture pastry, Brew & Brownie for a sweet treat, or Rise for a slightly more bougie brunch on the weekends.

Lucie Waring UniHomes Content Ambassador - Sheffield

Universities in York

University of York

Picture of University of York

Founded in 1963, the University of York is a highly regarded Russel Group university and is home to over 20,000 students. Its eco-friendly campus draws in students from across the country and beyond - from over 140 different countries.

York St John University

Picture of York St John University

Established in 1841 as a teacher training college, York St John University later achieved university status in 2006. This institution holds a Gold rating for student satisfaction and is celebrated for its quality of teaching in education and creative arts.

Student Life in York

Blog posts featuring York

Christmas in York: A Student's Guide to the Festivities

Check out more posts like these on our student blog

Frequently Asked Questions

Absolutely! As a compact but vibrant city, there’s everything you need to make York student life unforgettable. From quaint historical streets in the daytime to live music gigs at night, this city has a lot you can get stuck into.
While rent can be a little higher than average in York, it is still more affordable than other student areas like London and Bath. The gorgeous cobbled streets are certainly worth the higher price tag, and you can always try a few budgeting tips to keep your finances on track!
There are plenty of student living hotspots in York, the main ones being Heslington and the city centre, as well as Hull Road. However, you’ll also find options in Clifton and Fulford. If you want to make your University of York student life as convenient as possible, do your research and see which area suits you best.
While not as big as cities like London and Manchester, York still certainly has a lot to offer in terms of nightlife. We’ve listed some favourites above, but we also recommend DumDum for a cheeky cocktail, Stone Roses Bar for indie vibes, and Salvation to dance the night away.
October is the best time to start looking for student accommodation in York. Properties will be available until February, but we would recommend starting a search for a property during the autumn. The most popular student areas in York include Hull Road, City Centre and Heslington.
UniHomes has a property search tool which displays hundreds of student properties in York, all with bills included. Sign up to our mailing list so that you can be notified of new properties going live.
Tenancy periods in York usually last for 12 months. Most contracts will start on the 1st July and end on the 30th June the following year. Occasionally, letting agents may offer tenancy periods that last for 10 or 11 months, starting in August or September. You can always enquire with the letting agent to find out how long your contract length will be.
Deposits are usually either 4 or 5 week's rent. The maximum legal amount a landlord can charge your for a deposit is 5 week's rent. You’ll get your deposit back when you move out of the property. That said, if the landlord is still owed outstanding rent or needs to pay for repairs to damage within the property, they may take deductions from the deposit to cover the costs.
UniHomes accommodation in York usually costs £169 – £206 per person, per week. This price includes the cost of all bills you'll need to pay, which you won't always see on other student accommodation websites. Check out the full range of student accommodations available in York.

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