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International student support

First few days

Making the most of your first few days at York St John.

Welcome to York St John. This page will guide you through the essential steps to help you settle in during your first few days.

You’ll find information on a range of events designed to help you meet new people and explore the city. It also covers important tasks like paying your tuition fees, managing your finances with tools like Blackbullion, and setting up a bank account. Additionally, you'll find advice on getting insurance, registering with the NHS, and exploring York.

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Welcome activities in February and March

Starting on Monday 3 February, we are running a wide variety of different events where you can meet new people and get to know more about York St John.

All of these events are free and you can attend as many as you would like. Discover our events below.

Global Campus drop-in

Time: 10.00am to 4.00pm

Location: Global Campus Hub, Holgate

Visa checkpoint

Time: 10.00am to 4.00pm

Location: Temple Hall

Enrolment support

Time: 2.00pm to 3.00pm

Location: Holgate

Big Pub Quiz

Time: 7.00pm

Location: Archie's Bar, Students' Union

Global Campus drop-in

Time: 10.00am to 4.00pm

Location: Global Campus Hub, Holgate

Visa checkpoint

Time: 10.00am to 4.00pm

Location: Temple Hall

Enrolment support

Time: 2.00pm to 3.00pm

Location: Holgate

Global Campus drop-in

Time: 10.00am to 4.00pm

Location: Global Campus Hub, Holgate

Visa checkpoint

Time: 10.00am to 4.00pm

Location: Temple Hall

Language and study skills session

Time: 10.00am to 11.00am

Location: Online (join on Microsoft Teams)

Campus and city tour

Time: 10.00am to 12.00pm

Location: Meet at Global Campus Hub, Holgate

Enrolment support

Time: 2.00pm to 3.00pm

Location: Holgate

Global Campus drop-in

Time: 10.00am to 4.00pm

Location: Global Campus Hub, Holgate

Visa checkpoint

Time: 10.00am to 4.00pm

Location: Temple Hall

Introducing British culture and life in the UK

Time: 10.00am to 11.00am

Location: Fountains 002

Campus and city tour

Time: 11.00am to 1.00pm

Location: Meet at Global Campus Hub, Holgate

Introduction to study skills

Time: 2.00pm to 4.00pm

Location: Fountains 002

Enrolment support

Time: 2.00pm to 3.00pm

Location: Holgate

Welcome breakfast

Time: 9.30am to 11.00am

Location: Archie's Bar, Students' Union

Global Campus drop-in

Time: 10.00am to 4.00pm

Location: Global Campus Hub, Holgate

Visa checkpoint

Time: 10.00am to 4.00pm

Location: To be confirmed

Coffee and chat

Time: 11.00am to 12.00pm

Location: Archie's Bar, Students' Union

Enrolment support

Time: 2.00pm to 3.00pm

Location: Holgate

Speaking and listening confidence building session

Time: 2.30pm to 3.30pm

Location: Skell 037

Speed friending

Time: 4.00pm to 5.00pm

Location: Archie's Bar, Students' Union

Grocery store bingo

Time: 5.00pm to 6.00pm

Location: Archie's Bar, Students' Union

£1 a pint and karaoke

Time: 6.00pm

Location: Archie's Bar, Students' Union

Poster sale

Time: 10.00am to 5.00pm

Location: Creative Centre

Quick Fire Bingo

Time: 7.00pm

Location: Archie's Bar, Students' Union

Big Pub Quiz

Time: 7.00pm

Location: Archie's Bar, Students' Union

Campus and city tour

Time: 10.00am to 12.00pm

Location: Meet at Global Campus Hub, Holgate

Chinese New Year lantern making

Time: 12.00pm to 2.00pm

Location: LaunchPad

Language and study skills session

Time: 2.00pm to 3.00pm

Location: Online (join session on Microsoft Teams)

Doubles for singles FRAT party warm up

Time: 6.00pm

Location: Archie's Bar, Students' Union

FRAT party - the official Wednesday club night

Time: 10.00pm

Location: Manahatta Nightclub (buy tickets on SU website)

Refreshers Fair

Time: 10.00am to 3.00pm

Location: Creative Centre

Enrolment support

Time: 2.00pm to 3.00pm

Location: Holgate

Paint and sip

Time: 5.00pm

Location: The Lounge, Students' Union (buy tickets on SU website)

Coffee morning

Time: 9.00am to 11.30pm

Location: The Lounge, Students' Union

Friday Project Club Night

Time: 10.00pm

Location: Kuda Nightclub (buy tickets on SU website)

£1 a pint and karaoke

Time: 6.00pm

Location: Archie's Bar, Students' Union

Campus and city tour

Time: 10.00am to 12.00pm

Location: Meet at Global Campus Hub, Holgate

Enrolment support

Time: 2.00pm to 3.00pm

Location: Holgate

Language and study skills session

Time: 2.00pm to 3.00pm

Location: Online (join session on Microsoft Teams)

Enrolment support

Time: 2.00pm to 3.00pm

Location: Holgate

Enrolment support (last day of enrolment)

Time: 2.00pm to 3.00pm

Location: Holgate

Language and study skills session

Time: 2.00pm to 3.00pm

Location: Online (join session on Microsoft Teams)

Language and study skills session

Time: 2.00pm to 3.00pm

Location: Online (join session on Microsoft Teams)

Get financially ready

If you still have tuition fees to pay, you should pay these immediately. Details can be found on our Paying your tuition fees page. If you would like to speak to someone about your tuition fees you can visit our Finance Office, on the first floor of the Ripon Wing.

Take some time to think about managing your finances in the UK with Blackbullion which is an award winning online financial wellbeing tool. This online platform can help you manage your money and equip you with all the skills you need to maintain your budget whilst studying. Blackbullion offers a wide range of pathways which are short videos and quizzes and will introduce you to a range of topics from budgeting to scam awareness.  You can create a free account on www.blackbullion.com. We recommend international students to begin with the following two pathways:

Blackbullion do also have a money manager app which will help you manage your money with confidence, enables you to create your own budget and provides spending insights and suggested areas where you can save. Plus, the more you use the app the more bullions you will be rewarded which can be exchanged for prizes.

Open a bank account

Our campus is cashless and you will need to set up an account in order to buy food and drink on campus. The quickest way to do this is by setting up an online account such as REVOLUT, which doesn't need proof of a UK address and is very straightforward to open. Another option is WISE, a leading multi-currency card.

Please note that these banks are simply suggestions and we are not recommending them over any of the other options available to you. 

You might also want to set up an account with an established “highstreet” bank, once you are settled, as online accounts do not always come with the same protection and security as traditional banks. You will find out more about how to do this in the International Student Guide, that you will be given in your welcome pack. Before you can open a traditional bank account you will need to have collected your BRP card (if applicable) and log into e:vision to request a bank letter.

Get insurance

It’s important to keep your possessions safe, so arranging insurance is recommended. If you're living in University accommodation, some coverage is already included, so check to see what’s covered. The University partners with Endsleigh, and you can purchase additional coverage or insurance for private rentals directly through them. Find out more on the Endsleigh website.

Register with the NHS

You will need to register with the NHS, in case you are ill in the UK.

You can find out more in our International Student Guide you will get on arrival, however, it is important to register as soon as possible, which you can do through our YSJ Student Health Centre.  

Explore your new home

York is one of the most beautiful cities in the UK, often voted number one by residents and tourists alike. Take the opportunity to explore and invite a new friend to join you. The Global Campus Team will be organising local and campus tours during your first few days.

York is a welcoming city, and with the campus located in the heart of it, you can easily walk into town if you have some free time. If you need directions, the friendly locals will be happy to help you find your way. 

Join the Global Campus community

We offer regular social and cultural events, along with a variety of trips around the UK that you can join. The Global Campus community is here to connect you with new friends and provide support throughout your time at York St John. Visit our Global Campus webpage to find out more. 

Download the MYYSJ app

As soon as you have got your University login details, and you have logged into Moodle and eVision on a browser for the first time, you can access your personalised student app, MyYSJ. 

On MyYSJ, you’ll be able to check your emails, view your timetable, register your attendance, access Moodle and see important updates from across the University.

You can access your MyYSJ dashboard on a desktop computer, laptop or download the app on your Apple or Android smartphone. Be sure to sign up to the Global Campus news feed.

Contact us

If you have any questions contact globalcampus@yorksj.ac.uk.