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York is an ideal student city with a flourishing academic and cultural scene. With two unis, the University of York and York St John University, the city provides plenty of opportunities for study and exploration. The historic city centre is picturesque, with its cobblestone streets, majestic buildings, and monuments from centuries past. Beyond this, it’s also home to many student-friendly things to check out such as shops, pubs, bars, cafés and restaurants. Nature lovers can also explore nearby woodlands or stroll around the banks of the River Ouse. As a student studying in York, there's plenty to do when you’re not studying, and great educational opportunities. Here are our top 18 reasons why York is a great pick for your uni city.
1. Historic city
York offers over 2,000 years of history to explore, as it was previously a Viking settlement and before that, a Roman one. You can see remnants of the historic settlements around the city in the forms of architecture as well as museums packed with artefacts.
2. Vibrant city life
Although the history has a lot of history, there are also a lot of modern amenities on offer. The cobbled streets are packed with quirky shops selling everything from handmade fudge to decorative glass to on-trend fashion.
3. Home to two universities
The University of York and York St John University are the two unis on offer in the city, and both offer a wide range of undergraduate courses to choose from. The University of York recently ranked 17th overall in the UK according to Complete University Guide’s 2025 league tables, while York St John University ranked 25th in the UK for student satisfaction in the same league tables.
4. Beautiful architecture
The city is well-known for its gothic cathedral, the York Minster. Other famous examples of York’s gorgeous architecture include The Shambles and Clifford’s Tower.
5. Beautiful parks and nature reserves around the city
If you want to escape into nature, York has you covered. There are green spaces in and around the city centre, but if you fancy something more rural than a city park, the North York Moors and the Yorkshire Dales are only a short distance from the city by car.
6. Affordable cost of living
Compared to many other cities in the UK, rent in York is more affordable, so you might find you can get more for your money. Regardless of your budget, the city has a range of accommodation on offer, from budget-friendly single rooms slightly outside the city centre to pricier studio apartments in the heart of the city.
7. World-class museums and art galleries to explore
Ever fancied literally smelling a Viking settlement? Us neither really, but Jorvik Viking Centre offers just that. If the smells of the past aren’t for you, you could pass an afternoon in York Art Gallery or York Castle Museum.
8. A wide range of cultural attractions
From theatre to music to film events, the city has a great mix of things going on for you to get your dose of arts and culture. Catch a show at York Theatre Royal or see a film at the Picturehouse followed by a gig in its basement venue, aptly named The Basement.
9. Ghost-hunting
York is supposedly the UK’s most haunted city. We’re not sure if there’s any truth in this, but there are plenty of ghost walks and ghost-hunting events going on around the city. Keep your eyes out for anything supernatural.
10. Regular public transport
Whether you’re getting around the city and surrounding suburbs or travelling further afield, you’ll be able to make use of the local buses and trains. York train station offers many UK destinations including Edinburgh, Leeds, Sheffield and London, so if you fancy a day trip to another UK city you won’t have a problem.
11. A safe environment with low crime rates
York has lower crime rates than many of the UK’s other major cities, meaning you can feel safe walking around the city even if it’s dark. If you’ve got a bit further to go in the dark, however, there are taxi ranks spread out across the city for a convenient and safe way to get home.
12. Friendly locals
The north of England has a reputation for being friendly, and York’s no exception. The local people are more than happy to stop, chat and help you with directions. The friendly locals will help you settle into local life quickly and without stress.
13. Quality nightlife with pubs, bars and clubs featuring live entertainment
Rumour has it that York has 365 pubs – one for every day of the year. We can’t verify whether that’s true, but if it is, you certainly won’t be short of nightlife to check out. Even if there’s not 365, there’s still no shortage of choice between all the pubs, bars and clubs around.
14. Diverse cuisines
There are loads of restaurants in York city centre, so whatever cuisine you’re craving, you should be able to find it in one of the city’s eateries. Restaurants in York also cater to a range of dietary requirements as well, so there’s something for everyone.
15. Sports facilities everywhere
Whether it’s gyms or swimming pools you can use to engage in sports yourself to stadiums to watch professional teams, you’ll find plenty on offer in York.
16. An exciting array of festivals
You’ll find festivals and events going on throughout the year including the annual Fringe Festival, the Jorvik Viking Festival and the Banff Mountain Film Festival.
17. Famous and infamous names
Historically, the infamous Guy Fawkes was born in York and is obviously known for his attempt to blow up the Houses of Parliament. In more recent, and more light-hearted news, a duck known as Long Boi went viral online for being, well, long. You might not spot Long Boi around the University of York’s campus, but there are lots of other ducks to spot as the uni is known for the density of its duck population.
18. Opportunities for internships or part-time work
If you’re looking for part-time work, popular student jobs in York include working for your uni, working in retail or working in hospitality. Thanks to the many local businesses, there are also plenty of chances to undertake an internship during your studies to get some experience in roles you might be interested in after graduating.
York is home to two world-class unis, the University of York and York St John University. The University of York offers a wide range of degree programmes, with seven colleges providing an immersive learning experience for students. York St John University scores well in terms of student satisfaction ratings and provides a variety of courses to suit students’ different academic interests. Both unis are highly respected institutions with modern facilities, experienced staff and attractive campuses. Academic excellence plus the lively city atmosphere makes York the ideal choice for students looking to gain a comprehensive education.
As well as being ideal for your education, York is a wonderful city with plenty of student-focused activities to keep you busy. Explore the beautiful parks, rivers and historical sites scattered throughout the city. Take a trip to the Jorvik Viking Centre to explore how the Vikings lived centuries ago. Visit local museums such as Yorkshire Museum where you can discover fascinating artefacts from Ancient Rome and its allies. When it comes to nightlife, there are plenty of pubs, bars and clubs offering exciting nights out. And don't forget to take advantage of the universities' events calendars featuring theatre performances, comedy shows and art exhibitions. No matter what your interests are, York has something for everyone.
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