Students
Your University News
Read the latest newsletter and keep up to date with what is going on at and around the University.
Welcome to your March newsletter of the 2025-26 academic year.
Welcome to your March newsletter of the 2025-26 academic year.
In this newsletter you can:
- Claim a free portable mini speaker
- Meet your SU Election candidates
- Find out about paid Summer Internships
- Nominate someone for a YSJ Award
This month at YSJ
Looking for paid work experience to add to your CV?
We’re launching this year’s Summer Internship programme this Thursday, 5 March, from 3.30pm to 4.30pm. Join us for the online launch event to find out how it all works. We’ll be sharing which roles will be available, how to avoid common applicant mistakes, and top tips for a successful interview. Sign up via Handshake.
National Student Money Week (2 to 6 March)
Join us for a week of activities focused on building confidence with money. We’re kicking things off tomorrow, 3 March, with a National Student Money Week Fair in the Dining Room extension, from 2.30pm to 4.30pm. Find out more and sign up for a range of free online sessions covering topics such as budgeting basics, planning for life after study and spotting trustworthy financial advice.
Meet the candidates running in the SU Elections
Voting is open from Monday 9 to Thursday 12 March. Look out for on-campus pop-ups, activities and food tasters during voting week. Choose your next Students’ Union leaders and have your say. Find out more about Elections on the Students’ Union website.
Share your experience at YSJ and claim your free portable mini speaker as a thank you.
Completed the YSJ Experience Survey (YES) or National Student Survey (NSS)? Head to the Student Hub desk with your student ID to collect a free portable speaker while stock lasts.
Both surveys are live until Thursday 30 April and play a huge role in both improving student experience and helping future students choose a university that’s best for them.
If you're in your foundation, 1st or 2nd year, you can let us know what matters most to you by completing our YSJ Experience Survey (YES)
If you're a final year student, we're asking you to take some time to complete the 2026 National Student Survey (NSS)
You’ll also be entered into a prize draw to win up to £100 in shopping vouchers. Postgraduate surveys open in April.
Study support
Avoiding Academic Misconduct
We strongly encourage all students to read our guidance on meaningful learning. The guidance explains what meaningful learning looks like in practice, how to avoid poor scholarship and academic misconduct, and includes clear do’s and don’ts. It also links to advice on using artificial intelligence (AI) appropriately in your studies. It’s important to follow your assignment brief and your School’s guidance on AI use for each assessment, including the compiling of your bibliography. If you’re ever unsure what’s considered good practice, your module tutor or academic librarian is a great place to start. Not following this guidance can lead to academic misconduct procedures and, if upheld, penalties such as resits with capped marks or, in serious cases, withdrawal from your studies.
Do you have a Learner Adjustment Plan (LAP)?
From Tuesday 3 March you will be able to view your LAP and request changes via the Student Hub. Learn how via this Viewing your Learner Adjustment Plan (LAP) help page.
International student study support: Academic discussion group
Improve your English skills and take part in friendly, supported discussions about different topics. There’s nothing to prepare or present – just come along. All levels of English are welcome. Join us every Wednesday, 1.00 to 2.00pm in Creative Centre, CC/01. For more information on the ISLD Moodle page and more resources via the Student Hub.
International student passport reminder
You must have a valid passport during your entire stay in the UK. Please ensure that you apply for a new passport if your passport has been lost, stolen, or is about to expire. If you have obtained a new passport, it’s important to update the new information on your e:Vision account.
Wellbeing support
Ramadan support
Read this short guide about Ramadan to find out what support is available and how to be supportive of Muslim people who are fasting during this time. Details of an Iftar event on campus are in the What’s On section below.
24/7 Wellbeing support
Spectrum.Life is our student assistance programme and wellbeing platform. It offers free, confidential counselling and wellbeing support to all students 24/7, 365 days a year. Please see the Spectrum.Life help page on the Student Hub online portal for details.
Opportunities
YSJ Awards nominations are open
Every year, the Students’ Union celebrates the fantastic YSJ community at the YSJ Awards. Your opportunity to nominate a member of staff, team, or fellow student is now open. Nominations close at 9.00am on Monday 23 March, ready for the awards ceremony on Wednesday 20 May. Complete the nomination form.
Future Ready Fund (£500)
To celebrate National Student Money Week, Blackbullion is launching a Future Ready Fund. Two students will each receive £500 to gain paid work experience, creating student-led content focused on student money. No prior experience is necessary. Apply for Blackbullion’s Future Ready Fund by Sunday 15 March.
Need some help finding work experience?
Our Partnerships and Student Opportunities team can help. They’re running Future You: Finding Work Experience’ workshops each week, during term time, in the Future You space (Holgate) and online. Book your place via Handshake. Sessions will run on Tuesdays and Thursdays. The next session is taking place on Thursday 12 March at 1.00pm.
Alumni Career webinars
For the past few years, our Alumni team has been interviewing graduates to learn more about what they’ve done since graduation and what advice they have for students thinking about their next steps. With webinars from physiotherapists, marketers, teachers, comedians and more, over 30 alumni have shared their advice for free. Check out their webinars by looking through their profiles on the Alumination blog.
Have you ever wondered what roles are available with North Yorkshire Police
Other than becoming a Police Officer? Come along to the Future You Space, in Holgate, on Wednesday 18 March. North Yorkshire Police will be giving a talk at 11.00am to expand on the roles available within their organisation, and offer more information about their career opportunities. Register to attend via Handshake.
Take on the York 10K and raise money to support other students
Each year the Alumni and Fundraising team invite students, staff and alumni to join their York 10k team; raising funds for alumni-supported scholarships. Places cost £15 (half the usual entry fee) and include a free team t-shirt and support setting up your JustGiving page. Want to join but worried about raising £150? The Alumni team has got loads of easy ideas to get you started. Tickets are available via the online store.
What's on
Ramadan Revealed (Wednesday 4 March)
Join the York St John Islamic Society’s open Iftar, from 5.40pm to 7.30pm, in the Dining Room extension. Expect engaging talks about the spirit and traditions of Ramadan, delicious treats, and a warm, welcoming vibe. Open to all – book to attend Ramadan Revealed via Eventbrite.
International and Postgraduate Student Meet Up (Friday 5 March)
York St John Students’ Union is inviting all international and postgraduate students for an evening of relaxed and lively activities, including karaoke, a short seminar, speed‑dating style networking, and plenty more opportunities to connect. This free event will take place from 6.00pm to 8.00pm in the Student Unions’ lounge - book your place for the Meet Up event.
Free property marking (9 and 18 March)
The local Police Community Support team is hosting free drop-in sessions at the Student Hub in Holgate where you can ask questions about community safety and get valuable items like laptops, phones and bikes marked to help identify them if stolen. Drop in to one of the upcoming sessions, between 10.00am and 12.00pm.
Varsity (Wednesday 18 March)
York St John are facing off against Team Sunderland at Haxby Road for our annual Varsity! Come along and show your support. Tickets include a Varsity 2026 t-shirt and entry to the afterparty. Get your ticket on the Students’ Union’s website.
Yorkshire Literature Festival (March 2026)
Taking place this month at venues across York, the festival features a diverse programme of talks, panels, debates, performances, storytelling and workshops. Join us at our free events led by academics from York St John University and guest authors. Check out the YSJ York Literature Festival Eventbrite collection to book you place.
Contact us
Do you have something you’d like to share through this newsletter?
Email your YSJ Communications team at studentnews@yorksj.ac.uk.
Check out our YSJ web page that explains the variety of channels we use to communicate with you. This covers the monthly student newsletter, MyYSJ app, social media and writing for the YSJ Life blog.
From the YSJ Communications team
Student support
MyYSJ app
Students' Union