By Michael Cheong

When I was considering studying in the UK I wanted an experience different from living in a major city like Singapore and York offers a good balance. The main campus is based in parkland surrounding a lake and has its own shops and cafes which is a great environment to live and study in, while the historic city centre of York and all its facilities is just a short bus ride or walk away. Founded in 1963, the University of York has some 12,000 students from 100 different countries.

The University has a vibrant campus life centred on its colleges and more than 150 clubs and societies run by students cover everything from sports and the arts to the environment, politics and academic interests. I’m president of the Singapore Society, a member of the Christian Union and I’ve enjoyed walks with the Outdoor Society. 

Although one of the UK’s smaller cities, York boasts a rich history – which is a big attraction for someone like me who is studying history but also for the thousands of tourists who visit every year – and has a wide variety of shops, museums, cafes and nightlife venues. There is a good mix of international students in the University community and although York feels very British, it is a city used to catering to international tastes. For example, I can always find the ingredients I need if I want to cook something that reminds me of home.  York is also well connected to the rest of the UK and I’ve enjoyed exploring London, Manchester and Wales.

International students have their own representative body, the International Students Association, and are also represented within the colleges. There is also a Student Support office that can offer advice on a wide range of issues from immigration matters to opening bank accounts. The University also offers English language programmes.

I’ve really enjoyed my course so far and although I’ve found it stretching, it has not been overwhelming. Depending on the course, you are taught through a mixture of lectures, tutorials and seminars. You are also allocated a supervisor within your department who can help with academic and personal issues. Students benefit from access to all the facilities associated with a leading research University as well as a comprehensive library and good wireless and wired access to the computer network.

An important part of choosing where I was going to study was the academic reputation of the University. York regularly features in the top 10 rankings of UK universities. It is 70th in the Times Higher QS World University rankings and was rated in the top five among 95 universities around the world for “good teaching” and “learning” in the 2009 i-graduate rankings. 

All international students who apply by the relevant deadlines are guaranteed accommodation on campus for the duration of their course. I plan to try living off campus next year but it is reassuring to know that college accommodation is available. At the moment, I live in Vanbrugh College, one of eight colleges on campus. Colleges are more than just places to live. Students play an active role in the way colleges are run and their social activities and each college has a comprehensive support system in place for students that need help. There is a primary care health centre on campus as well as a sports centre, running track, tennis courts, hockey pitch and 40 acres of playing fields.

Watch this video to get a better idea of what life is like for international students at the University of York. If you are considering studying at the University of York you can find more information and contact details at http://www.york.ac.uk/international

Michael Cheong, 21, from Singapore is a first-year History undergraduate at the University of York and President of the University’s Singapore Society. At the end of his course he plans to return to Singapore to teach.