Student guide to York

Student activities in York

There’s plenty of history in York, including the city’s 7th century cathedral – the iconic York Minster. You’ll discover intricate Gothic architecture and stained glass windows, and take in breathtaking views after climbing to the top of the tower. You can also walk the city’s ancient walls to get your bearings and admire some stunning sights.

Another historic area of York is the famous shopping area The Shambles. It’s one of the oldest streets in England and dates back to mediaeval times. On an Instagram-worthy stroll down the street you’ll discover quirky cafes and independent stores in buildings dating back 500 years.

York is also full of great places to eat. Betty's Cafe is a much-loved city centre café offering fancy afternoon tea, and Shambles Kitchen is popular with students for a low-cost lunch.

NEXT: See more things to do in York

Nightlife in York

York is a small city but don’t be fooled by its size, there’s some excellent nightlife, partly thanks to the university presence. House of Trembling Madness is a quirky bar with eclectic decor and a great selection of beer. Whether you’re looking for a bite to eat, some drinks with friends or live music, it’s definitely worth checking out. They also offer same day delivery on craft beers in York so you can order some drinks straight to your house.

It’s also easy to find somewhere to dance the night away in York. Circuit is a nightclub popular with students that hosts some of the best DJs, music nights and events in the city. There are three rooms to party in and a huge selection of drinks behind the bar. If gigs are more your thing, take a look at the listings for York Barbican, which hosts live music, comedy and other events.

Student accommodation in York

There’s a range of accommodation options for students in York. The price will depend on your personal lifestyle. Universities in York offer halls of residence and housing is designed around 11 college communities. For a self-catered, single room with shared bathroom you can expect to pay between £149 and £208 each week. For a single room with an ensuite bathroom you’ll pay from £206 to £251. Catered accommodation starts from £165 to £269 per week.

There’s also the option to rent privately in York. You can expect to pay around £925 per month for a one-bedroom flat in the city centre. A room in a shared house might cost you around £640 a month. You can find cheaper options if you look outside the centre, with the chance of renting somewhere that costs around 20% less. If you rent privately, you’ll also need to factor in utility bills and Wi-Fi. It’s a good idea to budget about £70 per month to cover all of this, but if you’re staying in uni halls these are usually provided in the cost.

Transport in York

Many students decide to walk or cycle around York, as the city is quite compact and pedestrianised. There are plenty of cycle paths and the iTravelYork website has downloadable maps to show you where the best routes are. You can also rent a bike from Cycle Heaven at York Railway Station for a returnable deposit. Buses run across the city, and a single one day ticket costs about £3. A monthly travel pass starts at £85, so if you’re living outside the city centre this can be a good investment.

York has a train station so it’s easy to get further afield. You can get direct trains to Leeds in less than 30 minutes, Manchester in an hour and a half and London in under two hours. It’s a good idea to buy a 16-25 Railcard, as this gives you 1/3 off rail tickets for one year. If you want to get even further out, the city doesn’t have an airport of its own, but the nearest is Leeds-Bradford International Airport about 25 miles away.

Student costs in York

Overall, York has slightly higher living costs than some other places in the UK, so you’ll need to make sure you budget to make your money go further. Food wise, you’ll find plenty of supermarket options including low cost chains like Aldi and Lidl, as well as weekly farmers markets offering produce at bargain prices.

On average, you can expect to spend £1.05 on a loaf of bread, £1.52 on a kilogram of rice, £2.86 for a dozen eggs and £2.27 for a kilogram of potatoes. Socialising on the cheap is easy, as there are loads of student friendly bars and pubs to choose from that offer great student deals. The average inexpensive meal at a restaurant costs around £20, but you can find cheaper options in smaller cafes and pubs. Make sure you carry a valid student card around with you, as many places in York offer student discounts on food, as well as other shopping and experiences.

You’ll need to consider your own lifestyle and interests when planning your budget as a student in York. For example, will you need to purchase books and other materials for your course? Or will you want to join a society or club that involves costs for trips or events? Overall, we suggest having a monthly budget of at least £800 on top of your course fees.

NEXT: Read more about the cost of living as a student in York in our handy guide

What York is known for

York is well known for having more than 365 pubs, so you could visit a new one every day of the year. Windmill Inn is a student favourite, with great drinks deals and student karaoke, live music and quiz nights. For a bit of ghost hunting, pop down to the Golden Fleece, said to be the most haunted pub in the city. The Guy Fawkes Inn is where Guy Fawkes was born, and The Blue Bell is York’s smallest pub and perfect for a cosy date.

Universities in York

The highly regarded University of York is a member of the Russell Group and ranks at number 20 in the Complete University Guide’s 2027 league tables. It has some excellent research facilities, including an award-winning library service, plus students have access to specialist libraries at York Minster and King’s Manor. Its courses in history, geography, English and archaeology are particularly well regarded.

York St John University has a strong emphasis on employability and offers placements on almost every course. It has small class sizes, allowing everyone’s individual needs to be catered for, and is based in a city centre campus with a mixture of historic and contemporary buildings.

If you’re interested in studying in York, but not sure what course to pick, take a look at what’s on offer at the University of York and at York St John. Still need convincing? Read 18 more reasons to study in York.