Frequently asked questions

Central University social media accounts (those with a @UniOfYork or @UniversityOfYork handle) are managed by members of the Internal Communications team. 

Department, School, College and Service social media channels are managed by individual teams.

Communications maintain a central social media contacts list, which can be shared with other members of the University on request.

We receive a large number of requests each week for content to be posted on central social media channels. 

Though we cannot share everything, we always like to know what's going on at the University, and will do our best to share as much as we can.

To request a post or reshare of your content, email Communications Support. You should include:

• Detail on what you would like promoted
• Any relevant links, information, visuals or accounts to tag
• Any relevant embargoes or deadlines
• If possible, a draft social media post

We may edit or adjust submitted posts without notice. 

Please provide a minimum of one week's notice for post requests, even if some details are still to be confirmed. Requests received less than 72 hours ahead of the post time will not be actioned. 

Many University staff and students choose to maintain a social media presence in their own name, though there is no requirement to do this. 

Individual accounts usually fall into one of two categories, though there can be a crossover:  

• Professional use, where an account is in your own name, but you use it in a professional capacity - e.g. to share research, discuss your work or network with colleagues. 
• Personal use, where an account is in your name and you use it for non-professional purposes, such as keeping up-to-date with friends and family.

Take some time to think about whether you’d like your social media accounts to represent your professional or personal interests. You may choose to share more professional content publicly on some platforms, and restrict personal information to a private audience on others.

Staff who maintain public accounts where they identify themselves as a member of the university should make clear that any opinions expressed are their own, and do not necessarily represent their colleagues, team or the wider University community. 

More information is available in the social media guidance and social media policy. 

Managing social media accounts can be a deceptively complicated process. It’s normal to feel a bit overwhelmed, but don’t panic. 

You can use the social media content guide for content ideas, inspiration and helpful reminders. 

You'll also find lots of advice on managing your accounts and producing content in the full social media guidance document.

You can view social media advice for students on the health and wellbeing pages. 

Plenty of advice and guidance for staff is available in the full social media guidance and the social media content guide (York login required). 

The Communications team run frequent social media content training sessions, which cover topics including: content creation, account management and brand training. You can request a session for yourself or your team by emailing social-media@york.ac.uk.

The University of York captures photography and video for marketing purposes. These photos and videos are used to provide information about and promote the University’s courses, research and other activities to audiences including potential UK and international students, parents, the public, policy-makers, benefactors and other stakeholders.

View our photography and video privacy notice for more information.

If you are hosting an event on campus where you plan to take photos and videos, you should ensure there are privacy notices clearly posted in the area. 

A template privacy notice is available on the brand platform (York login required).

For social media-specific queries, you can email the social media team at any time. We endeavour to respond to all questions within three working days. 

For general communications queries, including questions about digital screens, the University brand, the website, or events, please contact the Communications Support team.

If your query is urgent, or regards a potentially damaging incident, you should email the Media Relations team as soon as possible.

If you have questions or concerns about content you have seen on social media, please email the Communications Support team as soon as possible. You should include links and screenshots where you can. 

Alternatively, you can report staff or student misconduct on social media using our Report + Support Tool.

The below conditions apply to contests, competitions and giveaways organised on University of York social media accounts, and should be read in conjunction with details outlined in individual posts and competitions.

The start and end dates, prizes, submission requirements and judging methods for individual competitions will be outlined in all posts referencing the competition or giveaway; you should contact the individual account with any questions or queries.

By submitting photos, videos, opinions, quotes or other information to competitions or giveaways, you give permission for this content to be reproduced and shared on University channels, including but not limited to: social media, websites, prospectuses and marketing materials. Reposted content will always be credited to the original poster where possible.

Unless otherwise specified, contests are open to University staff, students and alumni, as well as members of the public. Entrants do not need to have an affiliation with the University of York, but should only submit original photos and information; they should not submit on behalf of other people, or reuse content from other sources.

Entrants should be at least 16 years of age at the time their entry is submitted.

Contests hosted on social media are in no way sponsored, endorsed or administered by, or associated with, the host platforms.

To discuss, verify or query a competition hosted on University social media accounts, please email social-media@york.ac.uk.