Opportunities to Build Skills and Work Experience

York SU Opportunities

Societies

• The diverse types of societies at the University of York offer an array of opportunities for students to delve into fields such as media or to just  start a new sport or hobby and socialise with students from your department.

• Besides that, opportunities to become a rep is available through elections held every year during Semester 2.

• The elected Societies Committee is made up of nine elected student Reps– one for each society category. They meet four times a semester to ratify new societies, allocate grants, and to report feedback and issues facing societies directly to the York SU Activities Officer. 

• Check out more information on Societies at the University of York here.

Academic Reps

Becoming an Academic Rep will not only give you a chance to improve the experience for students at the University, but you'll also gain some valuable skills. You'll be given full training and support from the York SU Student Voice team, as well as being part of a dynamic peer network of Reps across the University.

Each Department has it's own unique approach to Academic Representation to work best for their students.

You can read descriptions for each Department on this page. 

Networks

The Students' Union has 20 different networks, which are social groups made up of people with a shared identity, whether that is background, learning type or culture. They are driven by students to run events and meetups that provide opportunity to build genuine connections, creating a safer and inclusive campus. They are a great way to meet people, support fellow students and build a community. Head over to the Union's Networks page to learn about the different networks and how to get involved.  

Academic and Equalities Committees

The committees are made up of students who are from historically marginalised communities and diverse academic backgrounds. They advocate for students of varying intersectionalities, representing multifaceted identities, and advocate for students within Union and University decision making processes. Students are elected on to the Committees every autumn (nominations open Weeks 2-3, voting Week 5). You can learn more about these committees on York SU's Officers page. 

Leadership Opportunities

The opportunities within Sports, Societies and Volunteering at YorkSU are open to all, so if you just want to turn up and get involved each week, these are all open to you. However, if you are interested in gaining experience in a leadership capacity, and want to play a part in leading a group, and working alongside a committee in organising the activities that the group offers, you can also run in the group's election. If successful, on a committee you will be responsible for a certain part of the group, such as managing the group's finances, creating social media content or managing the group's emails. 

Committee elections are held in Semester 2 each year, but positions become vacant throughout the academic year so do get in touch with the student group you're involved in if you are interested in a role on a committee.

Volunteering

Volunteering Opportunities with York SU

• Volunteering Projects at University of York offer students the opportunity to build skills and give back to your community while making new friends. Whatever your reasoning for wanting to get involved, York SU provides a vast amount of opportunities for you to engage with through our Volunteering offer. From volunteering in the City Centre to support students during our club nights, or educating children in local schools, colleges and nurseries, there is something for everyone, no matter your interest. 

• Some volunteering projects also offer flexible opportunities for those looking for a low-commitment option, or those that have less time to give. Others may require more training which all provided as part of the volunteer role.

• More information on volunteering at York SU can be found on the York SU Volunteering page.

York Students in Schools

• York Students in Schools (YSIS) connects students with local schools and nurseries, so they can help make a difference to the lives of young people in York. The program is open to all students and helps to build skills and gain valuable work experience for any future career.  

• YSIS volunteers must dedicate half a day per week across a semester to support a school or nursery in York. 

• A typical placement will include pre-placement training during (Re-)Freshers week followed by 10 weeks on placement (including an initial visit).

• YSIS offers a variety of roles, including Classroom and Language Assistants to English and Maths Tutoring.

• To find out more about YSIS and how to get involved, click this link here.

Community Projects

• Community projects are voluntary, team based and open to all University of York students. Build experience and gain new skills while giving back to the community.

• Community projects offer a great opportunity to work in multi-disciplinary teams to tackle real-world challenges for local organisations, with a wide range of themes and topics.

• Each project will support a community partner such as a school, museum or charity on a specific brief they have set to tackle a local challenge. Teams might conduct research, deliver an event or create a resource to make a positive impact in the community.

• Projects are open to students from any academic discipline.

• To find out more about Community Projects and how to get involved, click this link here.

Charity Volunteering

• Each year hundreds of our students take on charity volunteering roles with a wide range of organisations in and around York who are looking for support from volunteers.  

• Students can volunteer with local charities to support a cause you care about, all while getting to know the community you’re studying in and enhancing their CV.

• Roles are open to any student and the commitment varies between roles from a regular time each week to a one-off event.

• To find out more about Community Projects and how to get involved, click this link here.

Placements

What is a Placement or Year in Industry?

• The Placement Year program is open to almost all courses at the University of York. Some departments have their own programme, often called a Year in Industry. Check out the Year in Industry or Placement Year Guide (PDF , 79kb) to understand what your options are and contact the relevant coordinator for queries.  

Get more information on the University of York's Placement programs site.

Entrepreneurial Opportunities

Resource and support

• Check out the university resource and funding available for budding enterprises at University of York. 

Part-Time Work

To find out more about working whilst you study, and what part-time jobs might be available during your time at York, visit the 'Working Whilst you Study' section of the Hub.

Funding Support

Funding is available from a range of different sources that can support you with the financial costs of getting involved in a range of different opportunities at York.

York Futures Scholarship

York Futures Scholarships are designed to support current students in improving their personal and professional development by allowing them to access experiences they would otherwise not be able to afford.

York Futures Scholarships are currently under review, and eligibility and application guidance will be updated on the University webpages from September 2024.

York SU Activities Access Grant

The York SU Activities Access Grant allows any members of sports clubs, societies, media groups or volunteering projects, to apply for reimbursement up to £80 of their membership fees AND a further £80 for other costs associated with participating in your activity (e.g. transport, equipment). Please note that this fund is subject to certain criteria focused on making participation more equitable and accessible.

BAME Development Fund

The BAME Student Development Fund is open to all BAME students at the University of York. This fund will allow BAME students to access financial support to engage in aspects of career development, skills training and local initiatives in York.  

University of York Community Fund

The University Community Fund, supported by Portakabin, aims to encourage innovation and support volunteers/social entrepreneurs from the University to work with the community to address a community need. 

Cost of Living Resources can also be found on our website.