Students at York St John enjoy views of the medieval gothic masterpiece York Minster from their campus in the historic city. The original quad buildings create a handsome entrance and date from YSJ’s founding as a teacher training college in 1841. They are still going strong as teaching spaces too, for subjects including law and dance, but are joined by an increasing estate of modern facilities.
As YSJ has diversified from training teachers into a much broader course offering it has spent £100 million in recent years to stay in step with its academic focus. The first students of new degrees in midwifery and diagnostic radiography began courses this term, their path paved with the addition of an MRI scanner and x-ray technology to campus, as well as operating department and midwifery suites.
The populations of two universities converge on York’s cobbled streets, and the city rises to the occasion with plenty of student-focused nightlife. Its rich history creates a cultural seam to events year-round.
What is York St John University’s reputation?
YSJ opened with one student, 16-year-old Edward Preston Cordukes from York, who arrived on May 17, 1841, to begin his teacher training. Though still a small institution, the university has nearly 6,500 undergraduates today. Underpinning a silver rating overall in the Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF 2023), YSJ earned gold for the student experience, and another silver for student outcomes.
However, since the TEF assessment the university’s superb record on student satisfaction has cooled. In our latest National Student Survey (NSS) analysis YSJ ranks 32= for students’ evaluation of teaching quality (down ten places) and it has plunged 52 places for their feedback on the wider undergraduate experience, to 94=.
Fifty-eight per cent of YSJ’s submission to the latest Research Excellence Framework (REF 2021) was judged as world-leading or internationally excellent (115th). A research centre, the Institute for Health and Care Improvement, opened in 2023 to tackle issues such as health inequalities, an ageing population and pressure on the health service.
YSJ is among the many UK universities forced to find cost-saving measures in the present financial climate. Job cuts were announced in May 2024 as YSJ aimed to shave £4.8 million off its budget.
What degree courses have been discontinued and what new courses are available?
From 2025 students can take degrees in midwifery, diagnostic radiography and user experience design. Two courses closing in 2025 are software engineering and games design.
What are York St John University’s entry requirements — and my chances of getting in?
Full degree courses require 128-104 Ucas tariff points, with foundation years needing 48 points. A contextual offer scheme applies to all courses except professional programmes, usually undercutting advertised tariffs by two A-level grades. In 2024, 10.9 per cent of students arrived via clearing.
What are the graduate prospects?
YSJ’s graduate and work placement fair attracts employers that can offer graduate schemes and year-in-industry opportunities. But with our analysis of the Graduate Outcomes survey showing 69.1 per cent of leavers in high-skilled jobs or postgraduate study 15 months on, YSJ is outside the top-100 (106th).
What is York St John University’s campus like?
Among the fruits of the university’s investment in campus upgrades is the Creative Centre, which opened in 2021 as a base for degrees in drama, music, media production and computer science. The Foss building has two nursing teaching wards, community consultation rooms and skills laboratories. The Design Centre has been redeveloped for an autumn relaunch. York Business School is based in the De Grey building on campus.
In east London, YSJ opened a campus for postgraduate courses in 2018 at East India Dock near Canary Wharf.
When can I visit?
yorksj.ac.uk
Everything you need to know about York St John University’s student life and wellbeing support
The students’ union hosts more than 50 clubs and societies — such as K-pop, horror and music production. Quiz nights, karaoke, live sport and live music are hosted at the campus venue. Historic York has plenty of pubs and bars too. The Lord Mayor’s Walk campus has a sports hall, climbing wall, basketball, netball, indoor football and cricket nets, while a 15-minute walk brings students to the 57-acre sports park’s extensive facilities.
Appointments to spend time with the YSJ therapy dog, Blue, are among the university's wellbeing initiatives. Trained counsellors and advisers on mental health and welfare also tailor their services to the needs of students. Some students may need one or two sessions with an adviser talking about solutions; others benefit from six sessions with a counsellor.
What do the students say?
“There isn’t just one thing I could say that has stayed with me from my time at York St John. All the skills and experience have made me be the person I am today, allowing me to see my strengths and work on my weaknesses. I couldn’t thank York St John enough for allowing me to be the person I am today both academically and personally. I can wholeheartedly say that the skills and experience that I gained at York St John helped me to achieve my career so far.”
Megan, journalism graduate
What about student accommodation at York St John University?
First-years who apply by the deadline are guaranteed a place in halls, which cost between £125 and £215 a week. None of the accommodation is catered.
How diverse and inclusive is York St John University?
Our outgoing University of the Year for Social Inclusion, YSJ shot up 31 places year-on-year to rank 16th in our previous edition. Featuring in the top-30 overall this year, YSJ succeeds in recruiting a relatively high proportion of students from one of the most underrepresented groups — white working-class males — (7.4 per cent, 13=) and more than a quarter of the intake has a registered disability (28.9 per cent, 10).
Everything you need to know about scholarships and bursaries at York St John University
YSJ’s package of support includes £800 per year scholarships for students from ethnic minorities with a household income below £42,000, care leavers and estranged students, and those entering with contextual offers. There is also a range of alumni-funded scholarships worth £1,000 a year for students from under-represented groups. Almost half of students receive some form of financial support.
