Students
Your University News
Read the latest newsletter and keep up to date with what is going on at and around the University.
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This is everything you need to know this month.
In this newsletter you can:
- Save money on food and drink
- Find support for settling in
- Share feedback and enter our prize draw
- Watch out for student finance scams
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This month at YSJ
Welcome survey 2026
How are you settling in at YSJ? Tell us about your welcome experience by Friday 23 October and help us make sure future students continue to get the warmest welcome possible. Everyone who completes the survey and provides their details will be entered into a prize draw to win one of six £25 Love2Shop vouchers. Complete our Welcome survey.
Free MenB Vaccine for new students
New students may be eligible for a free, time-limited MenB vaccination through the NHS. The first dose must be given by Thursday 31 December. Read more about the MenB vaccination, who is eligible and how to get the free vaccination.
Consent Matters training
We ask everyone to complete Consent Matters training. Consent, boundaries, respectful relationships and positive intervention are part of creating a safe community. The training is an important opportunity to think about how we look after ourselves and each other. The course is available through Moodle and is part of the expectations set out in the Student Charter. Please take the time to complete it. It helps build a culture in which people feel safe, respected and able to make their own choices is something we all have a role in.
Save money on food and drink
Show your YSJ student ID at our campus food outlets to access lower student catering prices. Don't forget your reusable cup and food container to help reduce waste, and check out this week's YSJ Kitchen menu.
Have you moved recently? Check your electoral registration
If you've moved to a new address for the academic year, check that your electoral registration details are up to date. City of York Council's annual electoral canvass helps make sure eligible voters are correctly registered at their current address. Find out how to update your electoral registration on the council's website.
Watch out for student finance scams
Student finance payments are being made this month, so be alert to scam emails, texts and calls claiming there's a problem with your payment. Stop and think before you click. The Student Loans Company will never ask you to provide personal or financial information by email or text, or give you an urgent deadline to respond. If you're unsure, log in to your official student finance account directly rather than following a link. Read more about scams and how to avoid them.
Visa reminders and updates
Upcoming changes to the Graduate visa
The UK government has announced changes to the Graduate visa route. From 1 January 2027, sponsored international students who submit a Graduate visa application, after successfully completing an eligible course, will be able to stay in the UK for 18 months, reduced from the current two-year period. Find full details about eligibility, application timelines and visa conditions on the GOV.UK website.
Working during your studies
If you are studying in the UK on a Student visa, it’s important to understand the rules around working during term time and vacation periods. Sponsored students can usually work up to 20 hours per week during term time and full-time during official university vacations. For non-sponsored students, different restrictions might apply. Make sure you understand your visa conditions, as breaking them could affect your immigration status. Head to the Student Hub for guidance about working in the UK as a sponsored student or non-sponsored student.
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Wellbeing support
Stay safe around water this summer
As the weather gets warmer, many of us will be spending more time near rivers, lakes, reservoirs and the coast. If you're heading outdoors, take a moment to familiarise yourself with the RNLI's water safety advice, including what to do in an emergency and how to stay safe around open water. Whether you're swimming, paddleboarding, kayaking or simply spending time in the water, a little preparation can make a big difference.
Know the signs of meningitis
It’s important that everyone is aware of the early symptoms of meningitis, including fever, headache, vomiting, diarrhoea and muscle pain. Symptoms can appear in any order, and someone with meningitis can become seriously unwell very quickly. Look out for your friends and housemates, trust your instincts, and call NHS 111 if you are concerned. Remember to register with a GP. Search ‘health services’ on the Student Hub for guidance on how to do this.
More ways to access support
The Wellbeing team has expanded its Wellbeing Drop-in service, making it easier to access support in a way that works for you. As well as attending in person, you can now join the drop-in via Microsoft Teams or by phone. If you're on the York campus, register at the Student Hub Desk. For virtual or phone appointments, call the Wellbeing Team on 01904 876760 between 1.00pm and 3.30pm. More information about how to access wellbeing and welfare support at YSJ.
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Opportunities
Postgraduate students have your say
Thank you to everyone who took part in the Postgraduate Research Experience Survey (PRES) which has now closed. The Postgraduate Research Experience Survey (PRES) is still open until Friday 12 June and is your chance to share what’s working and what could be better. It takes 10 to 15 minutes to complete, and you’ll be entered into a prize draw with up to £100 in vouchers available. Check your inbox for your personalised survey link and take part.
Social impact survey and prize draw
There’s still time to share your views about what social impact really means for you and where you may have seen or experienced it here at YSJ. To help us, please could you spend 10 minutes completing the York St John University Social Impact Survey for Students. The survey is anonymous unless you choose to leave your email to be entered into a prize draw for 1 of 4 × £25 vouchers, or to take part in follow-up research.
Free careers advice
If you’re in your second or final year, now’s the time to start exploring our graduate scheme. Our Graduate Success Coaches can help you understand your options, break things down, and plan what to do next. Book an appointment on Handshake to get started.
Free skills building courses
Scholarships Plus students can access 10 free skill building courses throughout June through Mindless Academy, covering topics such as data analytics, digital marketing and content writing. Each course takes less than 10 hours to complete and can be studied at your own pace. Access is available until 29 June using your university email address to log in to Mindless Academy.
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What's on
Take a break at the Quiet Café (9 June)
Need a break from studying? Drop into the YSJ Chaplaincy Quiet Café for free hot drinks, cake and a welcoming space to relax and recharge. Join us between 11.00am and 3.00pm in FT111. No booking needed – all are welcome.
School of the Arts Festival (until 19 June)
Support your fellow students by visiting this year’s School of the Arts Festival, showcasing the work of graduating students and those completing projects across the school. Running until Friday 19 June, the festival features exhibitions, performances, installations and portfolios celebrating the creativity and talent of the YSJ community.
YSJ Big Summer read (June to August)
Every year, the YSJ English Literature team host a summer read-along between June and August and everyone is invited to join in. After a record number of votes, Hex House by Amy Jane Stewart and Featherfall by Jerry Ibbotson have been announced as the joint winners of the York St John Big Summer Read 2026. Both authors are York St John MA Creative Writing graduates. Grab your copy of either book and follow along on the @WordsMatter_YSJ Instagram page to take part.
Generative AI and research (Tuesday 30 June)
Learn about good practice, ethics and the responsible use of AI tools in research. The free online session will start at 1.00pm, and will be led by Dr Summers from the University of East Anglia. Join Maintaining Research Integrity whilst Using Generative AI.
York Georgian Festival (9 August)
PhD Creative Writing student Angela Clare will present an afternoon exploring the life and legacy of Anne Lister of Shibden Hall as part of this year’s York Georgian Festival. The event includes a talk at Holy Trinity Church (Goodramgate), followed by the York premiere of ‘No Priest But Love’, a new play co-written with Helena Whitbread and produced by Penny Magpie Theatre Company. Book your place for No Priest No Love via Eventbrite.
Things to do in York this summer
Staying in York over the summer break? From festivals, exhibitions and sculpture trails to live music and food markets, there's plenty happening across the city. Whether you're looking for something free, a day out with friends or a chance to explore somewhere new, the Visit York events guide is a great place to start.
This is the last monthly newsletter for this academic year, our next update will be in September. Have a great summer break!
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.
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