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.
Jump to section:
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:
- The 7 Best Ways to Manage Your Money in the UK (Blackbullion website)
- Outsmarting the Scammers (Blackbullion Website)
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.