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!

- Cristina