Advice and FAQs

When You Arrive

  1. Find out which car park is closest to your college. Can be found at http://www.york.ac.uk/np/maps/. This will save you having to trek halfway around campus with all your stuff when you get here.
  2. Before you arrive go food and drink shopping, but remember that you are going to be using a shared kitchen, or more importantly fridge/freezer with other people so you won't be able to fill the whole fridge and particularly freezer with all of your food. Try to get whoever is bringing you up to pay for it as a "Going to uni" present, and spend as much as you can! Around York there are loads of supermarkets, Google Monks Cross, Clifton Moor or Askham bar for the usual suspects of Tesco's, Sainsbury's, Asda etc.
  3. Arrive early. This will allow you to miss the queues of college registration. It will also give an opportunity to unpack before everyone else arrives. It may also meant that you are one of the lucky few that can get hold of a trolley to transport their stuff, but unfortunately there's only about 6 a college, so it's pretty unlikely you be able to get one.
  4. Try to pack things into boxes that you can easily carry. This will mean everything should fit into the car better, thus allowing you to bring more up. If you're really organised then you can organise your stuff into boxes such as kitchen, bathroom, bedroom, computer etc  which will save you a ton of time when you finally unpack.
  5. During unpacking, leave your door open, as you'll meet the people on your corridor. Usually putting some music on will draw people to your room, and it's a really easy way to start a conversation.
  6. Don't listen to people who've been to uni who say that the first couple of people you meet at uni will be the ones you'll spend the rest of your uni life trying to stay away from. In most cases this won’t be the case, but realise that you're coming to a university with 10,000 students, so there are always going to be people you're going to get on with, and some who you won't. it's just life. Best advice is to try to not judge people on first impressions, really difficult to do, but 9 times out of 10, you'll misjudge people you meet in fresher's week.
  7. Try to think of more interesting questions to ask people than: 'did you have a gap year?', 'what A-levels did you get?' etc. Ask people about their hobbies or sports they play, what sort of food they like, can they cook etc.

Accommodation FAQs

A lot of accommodation issues are college specific- each has different build types and accommodation. Check out your college website/forum at www.yusu.org/ name of college for more info.

Does it matter what college I'm in?

Not really! There's no "best" college, and you don't get assigned by department. Each college has a different atmosphere and different housing, and while they're all separate places - and have their own rivalries - in the end you'll meet people from every college, and probably visit all of them in your first year

What cooking facilities does my accommodation have?

Each college, and often the blocks inside the colleges, have different cooking facilities. The best way to find out what your block has is by checking out your college website.

Will I have to share a shower/bathroom?

Again depending on the college set up each experience will be different. If you don’t have en-suite then yes you will have to share a shower but every room has a sink in it. Any queries see the college websites.

Where do I pay my accommodation rent?

The information you received from the University will tell you all this information. You should be able to set it up on a standing order from your bank account. However the University’s finance office is based in Market Square, near the centre of campus. You can pay your rent and tuition fees here.

Can I get internet access in my room?

Yes- all rooms on campus have access to the University’s network, and it's included in the cost of your rent. You'll need to bring a CAT5 Ethernet cable (a standard network cable) with you, or get one from Computing Services on campus.

Welfare/Academic FAQs

Can I register with a doctor in York?

Yes, the University Health Centre will be in the Exhibition Centre - the Physics and Electronics Department - for all of Freshers Week so that you can register. Make sure you have a copy of your NHS number with you.

Can I register with a dentist in York?

Unfortunately there are currently no NHS dentists accepting new patients in York, so it’s best to arrange to see your dentist at home during your holidays.

What help and support is available at York for students?

Each college has its own welfare reps who will run drop-in sessions during Freshers Week and generally make themselves available to you. You’ll also have your own STYC (Second and Third Year Contact) who will meet you on the first night, take you out to college events and answer any questions you have at York. Not everyone finds the transition to living away from home and moving to uni easy, if you’re having problems then it can help to talk to someone. The university has a free Open Door service (see http://www.york.ac.uk/admin/scs/). Alternatively, you can talk to a student volunteer at Nightline, a completely confidential listening and information service open 8pm to 8am every night of term. Their website is http://www.york.ac.uk/student/nightline/

Do I need to buy all the books for my course before I arrive?

Probably not. There is a bookshop on campus, plus lots of other shops in town - and, of course, there are the second-hand marketplaces on Facebook and Amazon, where you might be able to save a few pounds!

Where can I find more about my department?

Go to http://www.york.ac.uk/np/deptindex.htm where there’s a link to every departmental page.

How do I pay my fees?

Paying your fees is due in instalments unless you have applied for a LEA fee loan. For more information see http://www.york.ac.uk/newstudent/Essential Financial Information.pdf

Social FAQs

So, what’s happening in Welcome Week?

Get all the details at www.yusu.org/welcomeweek/events/

I don’t want to drink, is there anything else to entertain me on campus during Welcome Week?

Yes, plenty! Again - check the timetable!

What is there for me to do at night?

So many things. Club nights, society socials, trips to town, student cinema... it doesn't have to stop after Welcome Week. Make sure you join some of our 120 societies at the YUSU Fair - they organise lots of events, plus you get to meet people who like the same things you do!

And on a weekend?

There are events run by colleges and societies every weekend on campus. These are varied and fun and can range from live bands to a Back to School themed night (dig out your old school tie!) as well as being considerably cheaper than going into York city centre on a weekend.

Are there any bars on campus?

Oh yes. There are five college bars across the campus. You should check out the bars timetable for when your college bar is open! Plus, from January, there'll be a brand new Students' Union bar situated in Langwith College. We're really excited about that.

Sports FAQs

What is the AU?

The AU (Athletic Union) is the part of YUSU that runs all things sport. We are the single largest student body at the university and as well as making sure you can play pretty much any sport you want, we provide people with amazing events and social opportunities.

How do I get involved?

Getting involved with the AU couldn’t be easier. Turn up to YUSU Fair on Saturday of week one and be prepared to be amazed by the array of opportunities on offer. If there is something you want to do and you can’t find it, come and speak to us about setting up your own club. There're also non playing opportunities such as volunteering, refereeing and even becoming part of the Athletic Union Executive committee.

How often will I play/train?

This depends on the club you join. Most BUCS teams train 2-3 times a week and play twice a week. Teams are very understanding and don’t expect you to miss lectures etc to train. Other clubs don’t train at all and just go away at weekends.

What is college sport?

York is very different to other universities as you will no doubt be starting to work out. You will be a member of a college when you arrive. Each college competes against all the other colleges on a weekly basis over the course of a term. College sport is something anyone can get involved with. Each college has sports reps that, if they hear you can walk, throw or indeed talk, will be dragging you to a college sport fixture before you know it. In some sports, playing for the University means you aren't allowed to play for a college - and so the standard is much lower meaning anyone can get involved.

What facilities do we have?

  • Numerous football/rugby/hockey/cricket/lacrosse pitches
  • Brand new 48 piece fitness suite
  • 4 sports halls
  • Astroturf Pitch
  • 6 Outdoor tennis courts
  • Grassed training area
  • Cricket nets
  • Running track
  • Studio

The Sports Centre has just undergone a £800,000 refurbishment to upgrade the indoor changing rooms and reception area.

If clubs haven’t got the facilities they need (like a swimming pool) they travel away to local facilities.

Do I need equipment?

If you want to take up a new sport then the club can provide most of the equipment you will need. Obviously if you have equipment already, you should bring it but if you want to try out a new sport, they will be more than happy if you turn up with sports gear. Many clubs will ask that you purchase your own equipment later on in the year.

How good do I need to be?

All the clubs at York cater for all standards of members. A lot of the bigger clubs have many teams and they are always happy to welcome beginners or even social members. If you feel intimidated and feel you may show yourself up, don’t! There will be many people in the same situation as you.

I've got another question!

Ask us about it! Email enquiries@yusu.org

Page Created: 20th Aug, 2008
Last Updated: 10:04am on 15th Sep, 2008 by Matt Burton