Student accommodation in York at a glance
If you’re looking for York student halls with a fun and vibrant atmosphere, check out Student Castle. This colourful student accommodation in York offers both private studios and multi-room apartments, as well as an on-site gym, games room, and lots of comfortable spaces for chilling with friends or hitting the books. It’s just inside the city centre and is a 20-minute walk to York St John University or a 26-minute walk to the University of York.
For private student accommodation in York with lots of natural light, have a look at iQ The Brickworks. These modern apartments offer a range of private studio spaces with shared kitchen and living spaces, as well as an on-site gym, lounges with TV and games, a beautiful garden, and a quiet study area. Location-wise, you’re only a 15-minute walk from York St John University or a 33-minute walk to the University of York.
If you’re after luxury student accommodation in York, it’s worth having a look at The Coal Yard. This contemporary accommodation has a range of private rooms that vary in size, all with ensuites and communal kitchens. They’re only a 14-minute walk to York St John University or a 31-minute walk to the University of York and are close to the city centre with lots of cafes, bars, and restaurants.
For student accommodation in York right by the UoY campus, The Boulevard is a must-see. Offering a selection of private studio rooms, this convenient accommodation has comfortable communal areas that include a lounge, garden, and courtyard. Located only a 10-minute walk to the University of York and a 29-minute walk to York St John University, this accommodation is a little further out of the city centre but has great bus routes to connect you to the buzz of the city.
There are lots of options when it comes to living away at university; check out our guide to the different types of student accommodation to learn more.
York at a glance
- York is home to higher educational establishments such as the University of York, York St John University, and Askham Bryan College. As a result, there’s lots of great student accommodation in York to suit a variety of needs.
- Founded by Romans, York has a rich history and stunning architecture, including York Minster, a 13th-century Gothic cathedral, and Roman-built City Walls that form a walkway on both sides of the River Ouse.
- York Minster is famous for its stained glass windows that were painted in remarkable detail. It’s even more impressive to consider that they were crafted back in the early 1400s and were fitted to windows 100ft high.
- Much of the City Walls are still standing and provide an impressive walk around the city centre.
- If that’s not enough, head on up to Clifford’s Tower. It’s almost all that remains of York Castle and has served as both a prison and a royal mint in its time.
- Believe it or not, York is known for making some iconic chocolate throughout its time, and is the home of the KitKat and Terry’s Chocolate Orange. Learn more about this delicious history with York’s Chocolate Story.
- Harry Potter fans rejoice! Parts of York were used as inspiration for locations in the famous Harry Potter series. The Shambles, a cobbled historic street in York, was used as inspiration for Diagon Alley. For more Harry Potter fun in York, check out the Muggle’s Guide to Harry Potter in York.
- Step away from your York student accommodation and head out into nature at Breezy Knees, an award-winning garden a few miles out of the centre of York.
- Sample the local beer with a brewery tour at Brew York.
- Have a fun afternoon away from the books at York Maze. This large-scale hedge maze will have you wandering around for hours. Even better, this local attraction also has a high-tech funhouse!
- If you’re brave enough, take a tour around York Dungeon. York is said to be one of the most haunted cities in all of Europe due to its bloody history. It’s said there have been over 500 confirmed hauntings in these ancient city walls.
- York is number #3 on our UK’s Healthiest Universities 2019 list with the University of York offering a dedicated yoga society and lots of mindfulness workshops to contribute to student wellness.
Student travel around York
York has a great public transport system which makes getting around the city easy, whichever York student accommodation you choose. The main forms of transport are bus, train, cycling and of course, by foot. You can find more information about the public transport in York as a whole and check out some cool walking maps on the iTravel York website.
By Bus
Getting around from your student accommodation in York to campus or other areas of the city is easy by bus. There are regular bus routes from the city to the University of York campus, as well as to other areas outside of the city centre. Don’t forget to plan your route in advance and save money with the AllYork pass, allowing you to travel on any bus, all day for a fixed price.
By Train
York railway station is on the East Coast Main Line serving the city of York, North Yorkshire, and parts of England. While it’s great for getting out of the city, it’s not ideal for getting around the city due to a lack of stops within the area.
By Bike
Cycling is a great and affordable way to get around York. The city has several cycling paths and trails to help you get from A to B safely. Plus as a bonus, most student accommodation in York has secure bike storage, so your bike doesn’t have to crowd up your room. You can also find some great recreational cycling paths throughout the city and beyond.
Featured neighbourhoods around York student accommodation
Hull Road
The area of Hull Road in York is a popular neighbourhood for students due to its proximity to the University of York. This buzzing student community has lots of York student halls, but this does come with a higher price tag due to its popularity. It’s about a 30-minute walk into the city centre or a 15-minute bus ride, so it’s convenient when wanting to go for a night out or do some shopping in the centre of town. The area is mostly residential, so there aren’t many pubs or restaurants, but there is a Co-Op supermarket and a few other amenities.
Fishergate
Just south of the city centre is Fishergate, a popular area for student accommodation in York. It’s right by the River Ouse and only a short walk into the city centre, so if living close to the action is your thing, Fishergate could be a good area for you. Being closer to the city you have some local pubs and restaurants, like the Lighthorseman or the Edinburgh Arms, as well as Rowntree Park just over the river for when you fancy an afternoon lounging in the sunshine.
Fulford
Fulford is one of the most popular student areas in York due to its affordability and great bus links to campus. It’s a little further out of the city than other areas (which is why it’s affordable), but still has a buzzing atmosphere that makes it a great choice for York student accommodation. There are some great local pubs, such as the Saddle Inn, and a Co-Op supermarket for stocking up on those student essentials.
York student halls FAQs
Where do students live in York?
There are many great areas to find student accommodation in York, such as Hull Road, Tang Hall, Fishergate, Fulford, and South Bank. Each area has a range of accommodation options depending on your budget and requirements.
Is York a good place for students?
York is a popular place for students due to its rich history and buzzing student community. It’s smaller than other cities in the UK, which gives students a more homely atmosphere while still living in a metropolitan area.
Is York expensive for students?
Does York have good nightlife?
Despite the slightly olde-worlde exterior, York was actually awarded the third best place to have a night out in the UK in 2023 thanks to its varied and eclectic collection of pubs and bars. Check out some of the quirky pubs with themes like Harry Potter, Vikings and speakeasies. It also scored highly across safety factors, so as long as you’re sensible, you don’t have to worry.
What types of student accommodation are there in York?
Places can range from a single room in a shared flat to luxury student accommodation in York; it all depends on your budget and preferences. Check out our guide to different types of student accommodation to learn more.
Can I view accommodation in York for students?
Yes! Most of our listings have an eye icon, which indicates that you can view that property online. You can also request an in-person viewing or see if your preferred accommodation has walkthroughs on university open days.
How long will my tenancy agreement last?
Most student tenancy agreements run between 42 and 51 weeks to ensure that students are covered for the academic year. However, if you need a longer or shorter tenancy, or if you need flexibility, some providers will be able to help you. The best way to find out is just to ask!