How we teach at York
If you study with us, you'll become a proud member of the Russell Group community: 24 leading UK universities committed to the highest academic standards in teaching and research.
Every course has its own learning outcomes, letting you know what you can offer employers.
A UK Top 20 university
Times Good University Guide 2024, Guardian University Guide 2024 and Complete University Guide 2025
UK Top 10 for research quality
Times Higher Education's ranking of the latest Research Excellence Framework (2021)
Tailored topics
A big bonus of York degrees is the flexibility they give you to choose from modules that match your interests. There are all kinds of niches in your subject area to explore – and even opportunities to cross over into other areas with elective modules or joint degrees.
Support at every stage
Depending on your course, you'll get a mix of teaching styles for the most effective learning experience. This could include large lectures, small seminars, practicals in labs, and placements out in the world.
You'll also have a personal academic supervisor while you're with us. They’ll help you with assessments and feedback, steer your personal development, and are a great go-to for any other guidance.
Academics always have interesting discoveries to share from their latest research, which keeps lectures and seminars exciting and current. They also use student feedback to constantly improve what they do. The quality of teaching has let me develop the ability to think critically and analytically.
Nicole, BA Education
Gold-standard education
Our teaching, learning and student experience is outstanding, recognised by a Gold rating from the Office for Students in their latest national assessment (2023 Teaching Excellence Framework).
Learn from the leaders
Whichever course you choose, it'll be built by academics at the top of their game. They're all proud to share their latest research, help you think independently, introduce you to our resources, and set you up with the knowledge and networks you need for a career you love.
Meet Nicky, uncovering ancient settlements
Professor Nicky Milner, Head of the Department of Archaeology, directed the world-leading Star Carr project in the North of England. Her excavations have helped uncover evidence of a thriving Mesolithic settlement dating from around 9,000BC.
York students have written dissertations using the excavation data, working in a research team and starting their own investigations.
Meet Merran, exploring human interaction
Professor Merran Toerien, Reader in Sociology, is exploring how humans interact with each other in conversation.
She uses recordings made in a variety of settings, from job centres to neurology clinics, to help students learn how conversation and interaction analysis unfolds.