Specialist support

Asylum seeking students may be eligible to apply for our Sanctuary Scholarship. Our Sanctuary Scholars are awarded a full fee waiver plus a small bursary of £4,000 each year to help towards the cost of travel and study costs.

Lead contact: Anna Deacon (Specialist Support Adviser)

York St John is working towards our goal of becoming an anti-racist university.

Our dedicated adviser offers 1 to 1 advice and support to Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic students. We take incidences of racism very seriously and can help you to report and follow up on any concerns, whether or not you wish to make a formal complaint.

Students from a Black, Asian or Minority Ethnic background may also be eligible for our YSJ Scholarship scheme.

Lead contact: Emma Coward-Gibbs (Specialist Support Adviser)

All care leavers are offered 1 to 1 advice and support from a dedicated adviser throughout your time as a student.

If you have been recognised as a care leaver by Student Finance England, or an equivalent organisation, you will be eligible for additional financial support such as the YSJ Scholars scholarship and the Find Your Future bursary.

Care leavers are guaranteed accommodation all year round if you would like it. You will also be prioritised if you are unable to secure a guarantor and apply to return to University accommodation after first year.

Learn more about our support for care leavers and estranged students.

Lead contact: Anna Deacon (Specialist Support Adviser)

Commuting to university (either from private accommodation or non-York St John halls of residence) or choosing to stay in the area you grew up in or currently reside in can impact on your academic studies or wellbeing in a variety of ways.

We can help you to explore your options before making the decision to commute to university. 

Our dedicated contacts provide 1 to 1 advice and support throughout your studies.

Learn more about our support for commuting students.

Co-lead contacts: Anna Deacon and Emma Coward-Gibbs (Specialist Support Advisers)

York St John has a range of additional support for students who have a disability, long term health condition, mental health condition or a specific learning difficulty.

To find out about available support, visit Disability support and inclusion.

All estranged students are offered 1 to 1 advice and support from a dedicated adviser throughout your time as a student.

If you have been recognised as an estranged student by Student Finance England, or an equivalent organisation, you will be eligible for additional financial support such as the YSJ Scholars scholarship and the Find Your Future bursary. We can also help you confirm your estranged status when applying (or re-applying) for student finance.

Estranged students are guaranteed accommodation all year round if you would like it. You will also be prioritised if you apply to return to University accommodation after first year.

Read more about our support for care leavers and estranged students.

Lead contact: Anna Deacon (Specialist Support Adviser)

York St John is committed to welcoming more students from these communities. As well as offering 1 to 1 support from a dedicated adviser during your time with us, we are also happy to offer information and advice to any community member who may be interested in considering higher education, now or in the future.

Students from a Gypsy, Roma or Traveller background may also be eligible for our YSJ Scholarship scheme.

Lead contact: Emma Coward-Gibbs (Specialist Support Adviser)

We are committed to providing a safe and inclusive environment for all students. We offer a welcoming environment for LGBTQ+ students and are here to offer support, information, and advice to any LGBTQ+ student who may experience difficulties while studying at York St John.

Students can also access support through the Students' Union LGBTQ+ Students’ Officer or join the YSJ LGBTQ+ Society to meet others who are part of the LGBTQ+ community. Postgraduate research students and mature students are invited to join the LGBT+ Staff network.

Lead contact: Emma Coward-Gibbs (Specialist Support Adviser)

At York St John, our mature learners make up around 1/5 of our student population and we have an outstanding record of supporting these students to achieve academic success.

Our designated contact for mature students can meet with you to discuss your academic studies and personal wellbeing, and signpost you towards any extra support. All new mature students will be invited to attend induction sessions in Welcome Week in order to get your bearings around campus, chat to teams from across the University and meet other new mature learners.

Learn more about our support for mature students.

Lead contact: Emma Coward-Gibbs (Specialist Support Adviser)

We know that caring for someone, even at a distance, can put extra pressure on you during your studies.

We can help you access additional funding and liaise with academic staff if your caring role is impacting your course. We can also link you to other sources of support such as York Carers Centre and Hope Support Services.

Co-lead contacts: Anna Deacon and Emma Coward-Gibbs (Specialist Support Advisers)

At York St John we understand that that if your parents or carers have served, or are currently serving, in the armed forces then you may have faced additional challenges during your education.

We are committed to supporting students from military families and throughout your time with us you will have access to a dedicated specialist advisor.

Lead contact: Anna Deacon (Specialist Support Adviser)

We appreciate that as a student parent you have lots of different responsibilities to juggle during your studies. That's why we have facilities and support available to you during your time with us. As a parent you may also be eligible for additional funding through student finance.

We operate an open campus which means children are welcome in our public spaces and catering outlets. However children remain the responsibility of their parent or carer and must be supervised at all times.

Read more about our support for student parents.

Lead contact: Emma Coward-Gibbs (Specialist Support Adviser)

We offer dedicated support for trans, non-binary and other gender-diverse students. The University has a network of named contacts who are able to support trans students with any issues or concerns you may have.

Our dedicated adviser can help with practical issues such as changes to the name used on your student record, ID card and email address, as well as offer general help and advice. They can also connect you with other people in York’s trans community.

• Trans inclusive guide
• Trans glossary

Lead contact: Anna Deacon (Specialist Support Adviser)