York University (Detailed Info)

Founded: 1963.

Location: Main campus at Heslington - 200 acres of landscaped parkland about 1 1/2 miles from city centre; campus largely traffic-free with cycle paths. Also medieval King's Manor in city centre (mainly archaeology).

Getting there: By rail, London King's Cross 2 hours, Leeds 1 1/2 hours; bus to campus from central station (2 miles). By car, signposted off A64. Cycle paths around campus.

Structural features: New medical school, joint with Hull University.

Special features: Collegiate structure. York Students in Schools volunteering programme.

Academic features: Modular course structure. Extracurricular programmes include eg. 14 languages-for-all, and York Award personal and professional skills training. IT courses for students without science or maths A-level.

Awarding body: York University.

Main undergraduate awards: BA, BEng, BSc, MEng, MPhys, MMath, MChem.

Length of courses: 3 years; 4 years eg undergraduate Masters', sandwich courses; 5 years (medicine).

Library & IT facilities: 5 libraries, 800,000 volumes, 6500 periodicals; 750 reading places; multiple copies of course books; key text collection. Annual expenditure on information provision, £206 per (FTE) student. Separate IT service: 1400 networked computers with access to library and internet. IT support from helpline and info email. Library session by subject for all new students; IT training available.

Other learning facilities: Language teaching centre.

Study abroad: 8% of students spend 6 months or more abroad. Formal exchange links with 60 universities/colleges overseas in a range of subjects.

Amenities: Wide range of catering outlets. Over 100 student societies and sports clubs; student newspapers, TV and radio; art and studios; supermarket, bookshop, travel centre, banks, post office, local store; childcare facilities; some student rooms have adaptations for disabilities.

Sporting facilities: 40 acres of playing fields on site; sports centre; 400-metre 7-lane athletics track; all-weather hockey or 5-a-side pitch; boathouse on the River Ouse; gym. 2 swimming pools in city (2 miles away).

Accommodation: All first years who want it are in university accommodation (45%+ of all students, including non-EU students). 3800 places (2400+ for first years): 400 self-catering; 3400 college places, £55-£73 per week, mostly 33-34 or 38-week lets. Most students live in privately owned accommodation for 1+ year: average £52 pw self-catering, £52-£62 half board. 4% of first degree students live at home.

Living expenses budget: Minimum budget of £6500 pa (excluding tuition fees) recommended by university.

Term time work: On campus agency Unijobs helps students find part-time work.

Financial help: Government funds. Also £53,000 university funds including: £12,000 undergraduate bursaries targeting students from low-income families in North Yorkshire (24 students helped); £14,000 international student hardship fund (26 students) and £3500 emergency funds (5 students helped). Apply for help via Student Services.