University of York

After acceptance to study abroad as an exchange student to the University of York through Illinois, you will need to submit a University of York (host university) application as well. The University of Illinois will nominate you for the University of York. Once you’ve been nominated, you may receive an e-mail with a link to your application form. For further guidance, please view this application guide. Please adhere to deadlines, as it will affect both your acceptance and housing placement.

Please review the following resources and adhere to deadlines to ensure a smooth application process:

• • University of York Application

  • University of York Application Guide

  • University of York Departmental Requirements

Program Dates

• • Spring Semester 2021: January 11-March 19, 2021

  • Fall Semester 2021: September 27- December 3, 2021

  • Academic Year 2021-22: September 27, 2021-March 18, 2022

See Official Term Dates

Orientation

All international students, including visiting or study abroad students are expected to attend the orientation to university life and study at the beginning of the semester. See information about the welcome for international students.

Arrival

Refer to this guide when preparing to go to York, and this pre-arrival checklist. Read the UK passport control student arrival guide for a smoother journey through border control. See our Immigration advice for more information. Please contact international-support@york.ac.uk if you have any questions, queries or problems relating to your travel arrangements.

Your room will only be available from the date shown in your offer of accommodation. If you do not receive an email before you leave your home country, contact Accommodation Services. If you’re not sure where to head to on campus, Accommodation Services can direct you if you get in touch with them (open Monday to Friday, 9am - 5pm (opens 10am on Thursdays)).

By Air

Manchester airport has the easiest onward connection to York, with a direct train running from Manchester airport to York city center. The University of York provides a free coach bus service for students arriving at Manchester Airport, so long as you book your spot in advance. If you prefer to travel to York from Manchester on your own, visit this resource for guidance. See Maps and directions for road directions to campus.

By train

Eurostar arrives in London at St. Pancras station. If you want to travel on to York by direct train, you will need to cross the road to King's Cross station. Buying train tickets on the day of travel can be very expensive. Some train companies allow you to book in advance at a much cheaper rate and you can self-print your ticket or collect it at the train station. Find out more on the National Rail website. See Maps and directions for road directions to campus.

By Bus

Coaches run by National Express or Megabus are usually cheaper than trains, but will take significantly longer to reach destinations. Note any restrictions on the amount of baggage you can take with you. See Maps and directions for road directions to campus.

By Boat

The nearest port to York is Hull, about 45 miles away, or Liverpool, about 100 miles away. Ferries from Zeebrugge and Rotterdam dock daily at Hull. Arriving at a port on the south coast of England requires a lengthy overland journey.

Expectations

As a study abroad student, you're guaranteed housing by the University of York, and do not need to apply for it. Find out more about the housing guarantee on the Visiting students accommodation page. There are many self-catered and catered housing options with ensuite and shared bathrooms available. Explore rooms and prices here.

Housing Options

If you choose to live on campus, you will be part of a built-in community, helping you to make friends and settle into York and the UK. Visit the Colleges, rooms and prices page or the visiting student page for more information. You may contact the housing office directly to discuss any concerns by email, accommodation@york.ac.uk .

Housing is available for students who want to bring their families or partners to York.

• • Families

  • Couples

Costs of living in York may vary depending on your interests, needs and duration of stay. For an estimate of costs or to utilize the budget calculator, visit this page.

Course Registration Guidelines

When registering for courses keep in mind the number of credits you are expected to fulfill during your stay.

At York, a full workload is defined as:

• • 120 credits for a full academic year

  • 60-80 credits for two terms

  • 40-60 credits for one term

In some departments a single course can occupy a student full-time for a whole term; these particular courses typically offer 40 credits. In other departments the material is taught in smaller units which carry lower credit values. Students usually take 40 to 60 York credits per term (20 -30 ECTS). For more details, visit this course catalog. When choosing courses you should consider entry requirements and confirm that University of Illinois will give you credit for the course.

If you need a fuller description of any course, please contact visiting-students@york.ac.uk and also speak with your academic advisor at the University of Illinois.

Academic Culture

Courses at University of York, and other british colleges, involve a mixture of lectures, tutorials, seminars, depending on the subject- laboratory and practical work.

• • Lectures provide the backbone to the whole unit of study and act as a stimulus to further reading and research.

  • Tutorials involve a discussion lasting an hour or more between a tutor (teaching assistant) and one or a small number of students, often focused on an essay or problem.

  • Seminars are a collaborative group exercise involving five to fifteen students meeting with a tutor to discuss one or more short presentations usually prepared and delivered by the students.

  • Practical work may take the form of laboratory work, field work or computer assignments.

Studies at British universities, particularly in arts and social science subjects, may involve relatively few formal contact hours each week, since they are intended as a starting point and focus for individual study. You're expected to be able to take a high degree of responsibility for your studies and organise your schedule effectively. Supervisors and course tutors are always ready to give advice on study methods and planning your studies and study skills courses are also available.

Assessment varies between departments and courses. The most common methods are final term paper/ essay format, assignments written during the course and exams given during the examination period at the end of the semester.

At York, you will be assigned an advisor who is responsible for your academic progress and personal welfare. The advisor helps to form a course scheme and schedule on arrival which suits your academic interests, needs and capabilities as a visiting student.

Transcripts will be sent to Illinois automatically after the end of the program. However, the time for receipt and processing can take a few months. Be patient, and you can track to see when your transcript is received by the Office of the Registrar by when the digital copy is uploaded into your My Study Abroad documents.

York offers many opprotunities to enjoy nature, history, arts, music and social activities for visiting students. Great rail and transport networks also connect you with the major cities of the UK, and students at other universities. York is considered a haven for art lovers, film buffs and theatre fanatics. York has also recently become a UNESCO City of Media Arts. The Arts Barge Project is a quirky arts venue on a barge, which will be in York city center. Plastic Fortune run events, exhibitions and monthly creative meet ups in York. For comedy check out The Barbican for well-known names and The Basement for local talent.

• • The Students' Union (YUSU) organises regular student club nights in the city that cater to all tastes, as well as supporting student-run club nights.

  • York Pride is an event to recognise LGBTQ history, protest for ongoing equality and celebrate what has been achieved so far.

  • York Festival of Ideas is a University of York event which attracts speakers from all over the world.

  • You can also hop on a train to Leeds (20 minutes) or Manchester (90 minutes) for a taste of the nightlife in the bigger nearby student cities.

  • For one weekend a year, the Ice Trail transforms York into an ice sculpture city.

York is easy to explore on foot or by bike, with plenty of bicycle lanes and paths. Many cyclists and science enthusiasts cycle the Solar System, a 6 mile cycle route with to scale models of the planets. The York Museum Gardens, York Minster gardens, Rowntree Park and Treasurer's House gardens are some York city highlights. By the river, there is even a solar-powered ice cream boat frequented by York students and residents. You could also take a riverside stroll or walk the ancient City Walls. Near campus is Walmgate Stray - a summer spot for students and practice space for student societies like the Juggle Society.

For more information, view the resources below:

• • Student Life

  • Campus Map

  • York City Guide

  • Student Blogs

  • Video of York

  • York Youtube Channel

  • Lonely Planet: Yorkshire

To learn more about what it is like to study at York, visit the Meet Us page to speak with students and faculty there.