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Opportunities

Have your say in the YSJSU Elections

SU Elections are coming, giving you the chance to vote for (or run as) President of Undergraduate Experience or President of Postgraduate Experience. It’s your opportunity to shape what matters to students at YSJ and make your voice heard. Key dates run from late January through to voting in March. Find more key SU Elections information.

Friendly Living Fund (£400)

Got an idea that tackles the cost-of-living crisis and builds climate resilience? Students, societies and groups can apply for up to £400 to bring practical, creative projects to life. Applications close Monday 9 February. Find inspiration from past projects such as The Period Project and SMART Study Group. Apply via the Friendly Living Fund webpage.

Student Volunteering Week (9 to 13 February)

Whether you already volunteer or want to get started, Student Volunteering Week celebrates the impact students make in the community. Volunteering is a great way to build skills, gain course-related experience and support causes you care about. Check Handshake for live volunteering roles in the York area, and follow along on the @ysjfutureyou Instagram page which will highlight partner charities throughout the week.

Call for student speakers: Grunge Included conference

Do you have an interest in Grunge? Submissions are now open for short presentations exploring grunge and alternative music culture across subjects like music, media, film, design, politics and cultural studies. The conference takes place at YSJ on Monday 7 September, with abstracts (250–300 words) due by Wednesday 1 July. Full details and how to submit are available on the Grunge Included Eventbrite page.

What's on

Quiet Café

Drop into the Chaplaincy Quiet Café on Tuesday 20 January, 11.00am to 3.00pm, in FT/111. Enjoy free refreshments in a calm, peaceful space - perfect for stepping away from exam and assignment stress. All are welcome.

Soup-er Space returns from Tuesday 3 February

There really is such a thing as a free lunch! Taking place in the Future You space (Holgate) from Tuesday 3 February, offering free soup, cake and a welcoming space to relax and connect. All Chaplaincy activities are also restarting, including Mindfulness sessions, Jummah Prayer and the Eucharist. Everyone’s welcome to drop in.

Welcome Back Week (Refreshers) – from Saturday 7 February

Kick off the new semester with a full week of events, activities and workshops, including the Refreshers Fair, craft sessions, socials, quizzes and more. Some events require tickets, so check the full programme and keep an eye on SU social channels for updates.

Refreshers Fair on Thursday 12 February

Drop into the Creative Centre between 9.00am and 3.00pm (quiet hour 9.00 to 10.00am) to meet sports clubs, societies, charities, local businesses and the Students’ Union. A great way to reconnect, try something new and get involved on campus. 

Discussing Decolonisation: Cultural and Environmental Activism in Palestine

Join this in-person event on Friday 6 February, 2.00pm to 4.00pm, featuring Dr Silvia Hassouna and Dr Hannah Boast. The session explores cultural and environmental activism in occupied Palestine, with time for Q&A and group discussion. Booking required via Eventbrite.

Free Creative Writing and Theatre workshop for LGBTQ+ students

Attend this free creative workshop on Wednesday 19 February, 7.00pm to 9.00pm in the Creative Centre to explore queer identity and storytelling through writing, performance and creativity. Delivered with Next Door But One Community Arts Collective and York Mind, it’s a supportive space to connect, express yourself and try something new.

Cities Under Stars: Tackling Light Pollution in Cities

Join experts, artists and academics on Wednesday 25 February, 6.30pm to 9.00pm in the Creative Centre Auditorium to explore how York could become the UK’s first Dark Sky City. Part of the North York Moors Dark Sky Festival, the evening includes a performance and panel discussion on light pollution, climate and urban environments. Book you place for the Cities Under Stars event.

YSJ Kitchen menu

Check out the YSJ Kitchen blog every Monday morning to see what food and offers are on each week in the Campus canteen.

Don't forget

UK term-time and contact details

If you have changed your UK term-time address or contact number, please ensure that you update the new information on your e:Vision account.

Student visa working hours

If you’re on a student visa, you must follow your visa conditions, including working no more than 20 hours per week during term time and full-time only during official university vacation periods. Not following these rules can affect your visa status. Find more Working in the UK guidance via the Student Hub.