Hi! My name is Annie. I am from Cyprus and a postgraduate student at the University of York. I have been here for four years now, having completed my undergraduate degree too. Currently, I am in the School for Business and Society to complete my MA Social Work.
Getting to York
As an international student, I would recommend for those travelling from outside of the UK to use Manchester Airport and follow the direct train-line from there. This is an affordable 2hr journey (depending on days/times) that can become even cheaper with a railcard. Alternatively, there are very inexpensive coach journeys that take longer and require advance bookings. I have found these more difficult when travelling with lots of luggage and feeling fatigued or anxious. You could use taxis or Ubers but they are a lot more costly! I think the train is best at short notice because it is reliable and very frequent.
When applying to MA Social Work you are generally advised to buy a car. I do not have one and have always managed to get around with buses or on foot. York feels very safe for walking or using cycling paths. As long as you are willing to dedicate time for travelling, then York is really accessible. It has felt like a second home to me!
Coming from abroad can be daunting but I have found that my cohort contains a mixture of international and home students within a good age range. Some are mature students while others are in early twenties. This dynamic is great for discussions about diverse social perspectives on ethics and values. I have made good connections with people from different walks of life and I would encourage anyone to apply, even with little lived experience.
Course Structure
This is a two-year program at the University of York which entails two practical learning placements (70 days and 100 days), 30 skills days and a combination of lectures, seminars and workshops throughout. These requirements mean the duration of the course is longer than other traditional masters qualifications. Although intensive, I have found the curriculum and structure to be extremely flexible and accommodating for students commuting and working part-time. Personally, I have managed well enough to have most evenings and weekends (mid-semesters) free from study. In addition to essay assessments across several modules, students must write a 16,000-word dissertation before graduating.
This workload can seem overwhelming but is often paired with positive feedback from rewarding practices on placement. More so, my first placement was particularly beneficial to my progression as a student social worker because I was offered lots of freedom to explore different direct work and activities within a nonprofit organisation! While placed in an adult’s team, I still spent time in children and mental health services to learn about multi-agency working! I was also given a university liaison, an offsite social worker (practice educator) and a work-based supervisor who all facilitated my learning in regular supervisions and helped me compile a portfolio of my work.
Accommodation in York
As a continuing student, I am now living in a student letting 15mins away from campus. As well as private rentals, there are various accommodation options for international and postgraduate students in York. These include serviced apartments and shared housing. Normally, incoming postgraduates are allocated to Wentworth College on campus because it is the accommodation mainly designed for postgraduates and mature students as it hosts regular activities, social events, dedicated trips, sports games and support groups. Wentworth College also has a selection of singular rooms, couple rooms and shared quarters for students travelling with partners or families. In addition to this, I am aware that Alcuin, James and Halifax Colleges also have postgraduate accommodation that is available on request because these residences are firstly offered to undergraduates.
Social Life & City
Each week, all students receive an email from the Student’s Union and their college. This is normally about upcoming events, trips and sporting/extracurricular activities! Sometimes they may also have any university news or politics. They are especially encouraging towards internationals, postgraduates and mature students to enhance a sense of community for them. In relation to home comforts and feeling secure, there are dozens of food and drink outlets on campus – as well as sports, societies and activities that offer great entertainment too!
I would recommend for prospective students to join as many clubs or groups as they can. I found that making friends in different social settings (i.e., in my accommodation, on my course and in sports teams) helped me to feel more at home. It also allowed me to connect with other international students and explore town with them! My favourite locations are Alcuin Cafe, the Piazza Library and the Cat Cafe in town! Travelling into town is really easy using the bus routes that run directly from campus.
Read more student stories about studying Social Work at York.
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