York St. John University
History & Description
York St. John is a prestigious civic university with roots going back to the 1840’s. York Diocesan Training School, for teacher education, opened in May 1841 with one pupil on the register, 16 year old Edward Preston Cordukes. (The current Students’ Union building is named in his honour). 1846 saw the foundation of the Female Training School which moved to Ripon in 1862. The college in York was described as St John’s College from the late 1890s.
By 1904 St John’s was the largest Diocesan College in the country with 112 students (today we have almost 6,000 students studying with us).
After rapid development of its subject base and student numbers both institutions merged to become the College of Ripon & York St. John in 1974. The University has also had a long and productive relationship with the University of Leeds dating back to 1920. The University continues to validate research degrees.
In 1999 the College’s Board of Governors decided to relocate all taught courses to the York campus - and by the end of 2001 all students and staff had transferred across to York and a new name was chosen, York St. John.
In September 2005 York St. John was granted Taught Degree Awarding Powers. Following this, York St. John received approval from the Privy Council of the United Kingdom to become a University and adopted the full title of York St. John University on the 1 October 2006, followed by the installation of its first Chancellor Archbishop Sentamu in March 2007.
Today, the University is based on an award winning campus in the center of York with almost 6,000 students studying on a wide range of subjects. It has a wide network of regional, national, and international partnerships with a highly recognized reputation for its teaching and learning.
York, England
York’s façade harkens back to a time before technology ruled our lives. It is a city of extraordinary cultural and historical wealth and its cavalcade of narrow streets that are enclosed by 13th-century walls invite you to explore its charm. Today, the city’s personality is a perfect, balanced blend of its historical roots and its modern, tourist-oriented branches. This city will cause you to pause and drink in all it has to offer.
Learn more about York here: http://www.visityork.org/?

About The Program
Orientation & Airport Pick-Up
York St. John offers orientation and airport pick-up. You will receive information regarding your orientation when you receive your Acceptance Packet. As for airport pick-up, you will need to fill out an Airport Collection form which is available online. For more information, go to this link: https://www.yorksj.ac.uk/international/international-student-support/planning-for-your-travel-and-arrival/travelling-to-the-uk--york/?
The airport collection form can be found here: https://www.yorksj.ac.uk/international/international-student-support/planning-for-your-travel-and-arrival/airport-collection-form/?
Housing
You will be living on campus and to learn more about your housing go to this link: https://www.yorksj.ac.uk/study/accommodation/undergraduate/
Food & Laundry
There is no meal plan available through York St. John, but there are places on-campus for you to get meals. Go to this link to find out more about meal options : https://www.yorksj.ac.uk/campus-and-residential-services/catering-at-york-st-john-university/?
Money Matters
All students will receive a check from BW prior to their departure equivalent to BW room and board. This check is meant to be used for food and housing while abroad. For this program, this check may not cover the full cost. Previous students recommend having approximately $2,000 for spending money, but you may need to plan for more. However, this will depend on your personal spending habits.
Banking & Cell Phones
It is recommended that students keep their American bank accounts and simply use the ATM's instead of opening a local bank account. It is imperative, however, to inform your bank of your upcoming time abroad and to learn more about your bank’s policy for making withdrawals in order to best avoid any banking problems. Usually, you should expect a fee for withdrawals (usually about $3 or $4). More information regarding banking will be discussed during the BW Pre-Departure Orientation Session.
As for cell phone usage, it is recommended that students buy a cell phone and phone card/s in-country.
Academics
York St. John is a large university with a multitude of subjects to study. The university is home to nine different schools: York Business School; School of Art, Design, and Computer Science; School of Education; School of Health Sciences; School of Humanities, Religion and Philosophy; School of Languages and Linguistics; School of Performance and Media Production; School of Psychological and Social Sciences; and School of Sport. Use this link to explore what kind of modules York offers: https://intranet.yorksj.ac.uk/ModList/default.aspx?
Activities
For information regarding YSJ’s current activity options, go to this link: https://www.yorksj.ac.uk/study/student-life/your-university/?
Health & Fitness
All BW students are required to have international health insurance. Students will be automatically enrolled in this insurance. More information regarding insurance coverage will be provided once you begin an online application or contact Explorations for more details.
While we hope you will stay healthy and well while studying abroad, you may need medical assistance, go to this link to find out more about YSJ’s facilities: https://www.yorksj.ac.uk/student-services/health-and-wellbeing-/