The University of York is one of the leading modern research universities in the United Kingdom. The government approved its establishment in 1960, and the first students entered the university in October 1963. As one of the “plate glass” universities founded in the 1960s, York developed with a modern, campus-based identity and quickly established a reputation for academic quality, collegiate community, and innovative teaching.
The University of York has built a strong alumni tradition across literature, economics, media, public life, and academia. Official university stories and alumni pages highlight figures such as novelist Graham Swift, author Linda Grant, screenwriter Sally Wainwright, and economist Daron Acemoglu, reflecting the university’s broad impact across the humanities and social sciences as well as global public life.
York is especially well known for history, English and related literature, archaeology, politics and international relations, economics, philosophy, psychology, computer science, mathematics, education, and the sciences. It combines strong arts and humanities traditions with a respected science and social science profile, making it a well-balanced research-intensive university.
The University of York is organised into three faculties: Arts and Humanities, Sciences, and Social Sciences. Across these faculties, the university has a wide range of departments, schools, and academic units, supporting both subject depth and interdisciplinary collaboration.
One of York’s defining features is the way it combines a modern campus environment with a strong collegiate ethos and a research-led academic culture. Compared with older universities, York has a more modern institutional identity, but it also offers a close-knit community, strong academic support, and a clear commitment to excellence, equality, and opportunity.
Undergraduate admission to York is competitive and holistic. The university considers academic qualifications and predicted grades, but it also states that it may consider other aspects of an application, including the personal statement, experience, and other relevant circumstances. York also offers contextual admissions, reflecting its commitment to widening access.
The University of York is a modern, research-intensive university with strong academic breadth, a distinctive campus identity, and a reputation for combining excellence with inclusivity. It is especially attractive to students who want a high-quality academic experience in a close-knit and forward-looking university environment.
An understanding of and passion for the course/subject
This, coupled with a genuine passion for the subject, should shine through in your personal statement. It’s important to tell us what you’ve done as well as what you have learnt along the way.
Your reasons and motivations for taking the course
Here we're interested in what has inspired you and how this course links to your future career plans. Your reasons and motivations should be personal to you. If you feel as though you’re not sure why you want to study the course then it might not be the right course for you.
Strong academic potential
We want to see your strong academic potential - this is usually demonstrated by your results or predicted grades but if you’re especially proud of something then talk about this in your statement.
