University of York campus
York is a campus university renownedfor its green spaces and lakes.
Our campus is home to an abundance of wildlife, hundreds of works of art, and plenty of places to eat, drink and shop. It's located within walking distance ofYork's historic city centre. The campus has grown significantly since the first of our buildingsrose from Heslington's marshesat the beginning of the 1960s. Today, we continue to invest in our campus to ensure it's a great place to live, study and work.
Campus photo highlights
Our campus is home to many landmarks including listed buildings, colleges and Central Hall.
Facilities on campus
Eat, drink and shop
Campus has a great range of shops and eateries. These are open to students, staff and the public. Grab a takeaway coffee, stock up on grocery essentials, purchase University of York official merchandise, or catch up with friends over a meal at one of our cafés and restaurants.
Profits from our Eat, Shop and Drink outlets are reinvested into the University to improve the facilities and services for all across campus.
Wildlife on campus
Wildlife is everywhere on campus. Our lakes and wetlands make it a popular place for many species of birds including ducks, geese, swans, grebes, moorhens, coots and herons. Rabbits and squirrels are a regular sight across our parkland.
Long Boi, an unusually tall male duck much loved by staff and students and a favourite of BBC Radio 1 DJ Greg James,called our campus his home. TheLong Boiology art trail celebrates the longest duck on the lake and the outstanding research and education that goes on in the Department of Biology.
Art on campus
Art has always been part of our University. Our collection has grown to encompass over 900 artworks, including works from acclaimed artists such as Barbara Hepworth andSidney Nolan.
In January 2022, we appointed out first Art Curator and a new era began for art on campus, opening up our collection to visitors and interdisciplinary collaborations.
Public events and opportunities
Head to campus and enjoy one of our many public events, lectures or concerts throughout the year.
Explore campus with our student vlogs
Discover more about what campus has to offer from our students.
Fun campus facts
History of our campus
What should a university be, how should it grow, how do its activities interact, and how do people move about? These were the questions Sir Andrew Derbyshire, the University's first project architect, answered in his innovative development plan of the University in 1962. It envisioned an informal, predominantly car-free environment, with covered pathways and college buildings which integrated academic, social and residential activities.
The University opened in 1963 with three buildings. By the end of the 1960s, it had grown to include five colleges, three laboratories, Central Hall, the JB Morrell Library, a sports hall and the Sir Jack Lyons Concert Hall. Many of our original buildings are now recognised as some of the most iconic displays of Brutalism in the UK.
When we started planning the Campus East expansion in the early 2000s, we looked back at Derbyshire’s original plan. We decided to use its key ideas again, focusing on community and landscape as the heart of the new development.
A model plan of the University.
Rules of campus
To help maintain the standard of our campus please:
- keep dogs on leads at all times
- only take assistance dogs into buildings
- stick to the paths and walkways
- use your bike on designated cycle routes.
Read ourRules of the use of campus grounds (PDF
, 673kb) for more information.