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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Welcome to your November newsletter of the 2025-26 academic year.
In this newsletter you can:
- Apply for our Friendly Living Fund 2025/26
- Find your student housing for next year
- Win £500 in a general skills survey
- Improve your financial wellbeing and win prizes
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This month at YSJ
Applications for the Living Lab’s Friendly Living Fund 2025/26 are now open. If you have an idea for a project that addresses the cost-of-living crisis while building climate resilience, you can now apply for up to £400 to fund your project. Individuals and groups can apply. Find more information and how to apply via our Friendly Living Fund webpage.
All students are required to complete our Consent Matters training as it plays a crucial role in promoting a culture of dignity and respect on our campuses. Consent and active bystander education have a proven positive impact on preventing sexual violence and harassment. You have been auto enrolled onto the Consent Matters course on Moodle. Please complete the training as soon as possible.
Find your housemates and accommodation for next year, during York St John Students’ Union’s Housing week (Monday 10 to Friday 14 November). The week of activities includes opportunities to find a flat mate, access support and guidance on finding somewhere to live, and the chance to meet landlords and letting agents at the Housing fair on Monday 10 November, 10.00am to 2.00pm, in the Creative Centre. Find more information on the Student Unions’ website.
At York St John University, staff and students hold diverse personal views, and everyone has the right to express them lawfully, even when others may strongly disagree or when those views are controversial or unpopular. At the same time, the University promotes values of inclusion, equality, and respect. We hold both commitments together, by protecting free speech and academic freedom, while fostering a respectful, inclusive environment where debate can take place without discrimination or harassment. Read our Code of Practice to understand this approach.
You spoke, we listened! Thanks to your feedback, Library and Learning Services are updating opening hours at the Fountains Learning Centre. During assessment periods, all 3 floors of the library will be open 24/7 – giving you round-the-clock access to study spaces and resources on all floors when you need it most. Want to check current opening times or plan your next visit? Visit our Library Opening Times web page.
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Study support
Got a deadline coming up and need to submit your work? Your assignment brief and the assignment area in your Moodle modules gives you any instructions you need for each assignment, so check there first. Our Student Hub article on Submitting work also has lots of videos and help for submitting different kinds of assignments.
Adobe Express Student Academy is running a series of free online workshops on Tuesday 25 and Wednesday 26 November. Learn how to use Adobe to create personalised planners, engaging presentations, and more. Find the schedule of workshops and how to register via Adobe.
Did you know that you can gain a Microsoft Office Specialist (MOS) qualification for free at YSJ? Work at your own pace and alongside your studies. Find more information about this and other ways that you improve your study skills over on the Student Hub.
Our Academic Discussion Group for international students meets every Wednesday, 1.00pm to 2.00pm, in Cordukes (room CD005). Here you can try out your discussion and argument skills on academic topics and practice critical thinking.
At York St John University, staff and students hold diverse personal views, and everyone has the right to express them lawfully, even when others may strongly disagree or when those views are controversial or unpopular. At the same time, the University promotes values of inclusion, equality, and respect. We hold both commitments together, by protecting free speech and academic freedom, while fostering a respectful, inclusive environment where debate can take place without discrimination or harassment. Read our Code of Practice to understand this approach.
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Wellbeing support
This week the Students’ Union is running a ‘Find your calm’ campaign to mark Stress Awareness Week. If you haven’t already, make sure you check out their top tips for managing academic stress.
Improve your mental and physical wellbeing in 6 weeks with Exercise for Wellbeing classes. Start the 6-week course at any time. Classes are run by YSJ Active fitness instructors, with support from Mental Health Practitioners from the Wellbeing team. Contact the Wellbeing team to get started via wellbeingenquiries@yorksj.ac.uk.
Our Report and Support service enables you to make reports of bullying, harassment, racism, sexual misconduct or hate crime. You can report anonymously or with contact details.
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Opportunities
SOS UK are running a general skills survey and you could win £500 for taking part. They're keen to hear about what you're studying and the skills you're developing. The survey closes on Sunday 16 November.
There has never been a better time to sign up to Blackbullion. Not only can they help you manage your personal finances, but you can also take part in Unibattle 2025 for a chance to win some amazing prizes.
Through our partnership with Shortlist.me, you can now access CV Copilot, a tool to help you build and improve your CV with AI-powered feedback. For more information about careers support at YSJ, you can book an appointment with our careers team or find recruitment events and opportunities via our dedicated careers platform, Handshake.
Do you make things to sell? The Students’ Union is looking for stall holders for their Winter Fair on Thursday 11 December. Email at su@yorksj.ac.uk to secure your spot and find more information via the SU’s website.
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What's on
Join York St John Chaplaincy for a ceremony for Remembrance Day, on Tuesday 11 November at 10.45am in The Quad. The service will include the laying of wreaths and 2 minutes' silence.
From mindfulness sessions and free soup to creative workshops, career sessions and sustainability projects. Find student focused events via our Student events web page.
All are welcome to ‘Sharing Hope: A Conversation Between Imam Ammar and Rabbi Elisheva’ on Thursday 13 November, 5.30pm to 7.00pm. The evening will offer space for open discussion, shared perspectives and hopeful conversation about peace and security in the Holy Land. Book via Eventbrite.
On Thursday 20 November we'll be marking Trans Day of Remembrance at our Trans Live in Focus event. Join us for a powerful afternoon of talks and poster presentations from trans voices and allies across our community. Book your free ticket to attend via Eventbrite.
All students are invited to attend this year’s York Business Festival, running over 4 days from Monday 24 November. Hosted by York Business School, the Festival brings together expert speakers, local businesses and social enterprises for an inspiring week of talks and events. Find out more via our website.
North Yorkshire Police will be doing free property marking in Holgate, 10.00am to 12.00pm, on Wednesday 28 November. Bring your bikes, phones, laptops, sport gear. Items can be marked for free in a few minutes, making them easier to identify if stolen.
Tickets are now available for this year’s York St John Christmas Carol service
at York Minster on Tuesday 9 December. The event is free, and always popular, so booking is essential.
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Student news
Check out our recent website stories about student achievements:
This week, students and staff have been playing a pivotal role in regional BBC challenges for Children in Need. Sport and Exercise Therapy students provided sports first aid and fitness support for presenters from BBC Radio York and BBC Radio Humberside as they took part in 2 days of 3-legged races for Children in Need.
Class of 2019 alumna Harriet Mercer talks about the importance of transferable skills, how she's built a successful book and lifestyle Instagram account alongside her other roles in the latest Alumni Journeys webinar. Watch it on YouTube.
Last month, 19 York St John BA Photography students exhibited their work at London Photomonth; a month-long celebration of photography. Read more in this article for The Guardian.
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.
You can also access this newsletter online.
From the YSJ Communications team
Student support
MyYSJ app
Students' Union
