YorJourney
YorJourney is the final module for completers of either Next Step York, Black Access or Pathways to Medicine programmes to help unlock their alternative offer for the University of York.
What is YorJourney?
YorJourney is an invite-only module designed to support participants through the transition from sixth form or college to university. During the module, participants will have the opportunity to take part in live Zoom sessions focusing on myth-busting, academic skills and wellbeing. Participants will also get the chance to write and submit an academic assignment to practise their academic skills.
Completing the YorJourney module will not only prepare a participant for university life, but can also be the final step in unlocking the alternative offer, a benefit afforded to students who have successfully completed one of the eligible widening access programmes and YorJourney.
YorJourney takes place online over a period of 3 weeks. For 2025, YorJourney will start on Monday 23 June, and our final online event will be around Friday 11 July. We will be in contact with eligible students in early May with joining information.
Modules
Contact us
If you have any questions about YorJourney, please get in contact with the team and we will get back to you as soon as we can.
YorJourney
Our myth-busting sessions will focus on what university is really like. We’ll tackle common misconceptions about everything from freshers to academic workload, and answer all of your burning questions! This is a safe space to talk about any of your worries or doubts about university, and hear from current students who’ve been in the same position.
The Wellbeing strand will focus on how you can look after yourself and your wellbeing whilst at university. There will always be a lot going on with studies, socialising, extra-curricular activities and household tasks, so it's important that you can prioritise your mental health.
The Academic Skills strand will give you an insight into what university study is like. You will take part in an academic seminar, which will involve small-group discussions with your peers and an assigned tutor. You will also take part in a session to introduce you to academic writing and referencing.
The Academic Assignment is a 1500-word essay set by a university academic at York. This is a great opportunity to develop academic writing skills and gain first-hand experience of university study. You will be matched to a postgraduate tutor who will offer support and guidance on research, essay structure and referencing.
Eligibility
You will be invited to take part in YorJourney if all the following criteria are applicable to you:
- You have successfully completed the first year of one of the following widening access programmes
- Next Step York
- YorWay to York
- York Experience Summer School
- Black Access
- Pathways to Medicine
AND
- You have applied to study at University of York and received an offer from us
- You have confirmed the University of York as your firm or insurance choice (firm choice only for Medicine applicants)
You will be notified if you are eligible by the YorJourney Team via direct email in the Spring before YorJourney begins in late June. For example, if you started the Next Step York programme in December 2023, if eligible, you will be notified in Spring 2025. This will start the sign up process, so please keep an eye on your emails and get in touch with the YorJourney team if you have any questions. Please also let us know if your contact details change!
Completing YorJourney
Completing YorJourney typically consists of the following:
- Attending compulsory live Zoom sessions.
- Writing and submitting an overall reflective short essay on your experience of YorJourney.
- Completing the Next Steps MOOC.
We will provide full details on how to complete YorJourney when you are invited to join.
Please note applicants who have been accepted on to the Medicine with a Gateway Year at the Hull York Medical School will be invited to take part in YorJourney but will not need to complete it to receive their alternative offer.
Next Steps to University
The Next Steps MOOC is designed to guide you through what to expect when you arrive at university. You will hear from recent graduates and get some top tips on living independently, making friends, budgeting and much more.
Contact us
If you have any questions about YorJourney, please get in contact with the team and we will get back to you as soon as we can.
YorJourney