Things to know this week

UoY community update

Changes to tuition fees

Last year the UK government announced its intention to increase tuition fees each year in line with inflation, from 2026 onwards. They have set out fees for the 2026/27 academic year. We expect these to apply to University of York students enrolled in September 2026.

Freezone bus update

Following successful campaigning by York Students’ Union, students with children travelling within the campus bus freezone now no longer have to pay for their child’s fare.

Free BikeRegister drop-in on campus

Help to deter theft and increase the chances of stolen bikes being recovered by bringing your bike along to a BikeRegister drop-in on campus on Friday (13 February). Your bike will be marked and registered on the National Cycle Database for free.

1. Finalists: it’s time to give your feedback

Promotional banner for the National Student Survey, featuring a group of students sat around on their phones.

The National Student Survey (NSS) is now open to all final year undergraduates. It’s your opportunity to give fair and honest feedback on your experience throughout your time at York. Your comments are read at all levels of the University, letting us know what we’re getting right as well as areas for further improvement. Check your inbox for more information - including details of the prize draw to win graduation packages or up to £100 in vouchers!

Finalists: give your feedback and enter the prize draw

2. Study outside your subject?

On many programmes at York, you have the opportunity to step outside your degree by taking a module in a different department - we call these ‘elective modules’. You could work in a multi-disciplinary team to tackle sustainability challenges or choose a language option. Find out about studying beyond your department. 

Study beyond your department

3. Celebrating student volunteering

Celebrate National Student Volunteering week by checking out UoY Volunteering on Instagram for stories about the amazing impact our student volunteers make in the wider community. You can also get involved with our team-based Community Projects! Volunteer with a local partner to tackle a real-world challenge, developing project management and leadership skills whilst making a difference in York. Opportunities include:

  • Leading digital storytelling workshops with young people
  • Engaging local residents to shape the City of York’s tourism strategy
  • Designing a social media campaign celebrating wellbeing, compassion and community for Millers Yard

Want more flexibility? We also promote many charity volunteering roles throughout the year.

Volunteering at York

4. Marking LGBTQ+ History Month

Every February, LGBTQ+ History Month aims to increase the visibility of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people and raise awareness of the community's history, lives and experiences in education, culture, and society. The theme for this year’s LGBTQ History Month is ‘science and Innovation’. Join in with events such as ‘Unheard voices: exploring marginalised experiences of eating disorders’ and ‘Sorting humanity: Can trans people save the world? See also the York SU LGBTQ+ History Month events.

LGBTQ+ History Month

5. Experience our international community

blue promotional banner for upcoming international events

Our new programme of international community events are free and open to all, offering a fantastic opportunity to share cultures, meet new people and get involved in celebrating our diversity. 

  • International Student Social | Every Thursday from 5pm
    Our first Social is a relaxed, friendship-focused Valentine’s special! Rather than a traditional loved-up Valentine’s event, we celebrate friendships, community, and the many ways love is expressed across cultures. Expect games, creative activities, mocktails, global chocolate tasting, and more.
  • Year of the Horse Celebration | Monday 16 Feb from 3pm
    Experience the colour, sound, and flavour of Lunar New Year through thrilling live Qilin dance, traditional music, authentic food, and interactive crafts. Try calligraphy, create your own lantern, and soak up the festive atmosphere.
International community events

Offers, competitions and opportunities

  • Paid role: Become a student research ambassador on a project to increase awareness among minoritised students regarding the pursuit of Masters or PhD degrees
  • Win one of 10 MacBook Air laptops with the Santander Open Academy
  • Get free food on Fridays that would otherwise go to waste with the Too Wonderful to Waste scheme

Jobs and opportunities

Log on to Handshake, our careers platform, for jobs and opportunities:

Handshake
Purple graphic advertising an upcoming Postgraduate Online Open Day at the University of York. The event will take place on 10 February, and offers prospective students the chance to speak to current postgrads, departmental staff and have their questions answered.

Find out more student news

See all updates for students on our website:

Student news

Things to know this week is produced and distributed by the University's Internal Communications Team. Please email any feedback to 
student-communications@york.ac.uk.

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