University of York

The University of York was
founded in 1963 with 200
students. Since then, it
has expanded to 11,000 students and has over 30 academic departments and research centres.

Academic excellence

From its inception, the University has concentrated on strong viable departments and teaching and research of the highest quality.

York has always been highly rated for the standards of its teaching, and its outstanding performance in the 2008 Research Assessment Exercise is also recognition of the world-leading research activity in York. Twelve departments were ranked in the top ten in the country with almost all departments in the top 20.

The Collegiate System

The University has a collegiate system in which most staff and all students are members of colleges. Further information is available at www.york.ac.uk/univ/coll/.

The Campus

The main campus at Heslington is a 200-acre landscaped park, well known for its lake and wildfowl. Here the colleges and academic buildings are on a level site within walking distance of each other. Proximity to the historic city of York makes the University a popular choice and provides a pleasant working and residential environment.

The University has plans to expand its campus at Heslington East.

Former Students

Former students of the University include Editor of the Sunday Times, John Witherow; former Director-General of the BBC Greg Dyke; authors Jung Chang and Helen Dunmore; comedian Harry Enfield, and 10 MPs.

The Vice-Chancellor

The Vice-Chancellor of the University is Professor Brian Cantor. York's fifth Vice-Chancellor, he joined the University in October 2002.

The Chancellor

The Chancellor of the University is Greg Dyke, former Director-General of the BBC. He is the University's fifth Chancellor and took up his position in August 2004.