Studying Environment, Economics and Ecology as an international student at York.

Studying Environment, Economics and Ecology as an international student at York

I am a first year MEnv Environment, Economics and Ecology student, part of Anne Lister college. I wanted to share with you what it’s like being on the course and living in York.

About the Environment, Economics and Ecology

You can find full information about the course here.

In my own words and from what I’ve experienced so far this course is challenging but not overwhelmingly so. There are a lot of reading materials available, both online and in the libraries, to aid in independent learning. The lectures are available to rewatch online. This provides good pressure relief for when you have to miss a lecture or couldn’t write down everything you need.

The modules from semester one (the first three core modules of year 1 on the course page) provided a great bridge between A-levels and uni. Some of the information overlapped with my Environmental science A-level which made it easier to process and piece together. Don’t worry if you haven’t studied Environmental science or Geography as an A-level. The lecturers introduce everything in a clear way to ensure everyone starts at the same level regardless of past subjects studied.

You’ll take exams at the end of the semester and each module has a different format. In semester one, I completed two open-book online essays within a set time limit, submitted one piece of coursework in November and wrote one scientific report. The workload seemed daunting at first, but everything connected well. This made it easier to apply the right pieces of information. During the seminars, we discussed important topics like the correct way of referencing, how the lectures mark your work and what you should include in your final piece. When the time came, I felt in control and had a clear for what I needed to do.

Everyday life

It takes a bit of time to settle into a routine that works for you. In semester one, I followed a timetable that wasn’t very heavy. Some weeks, I had one or two days off, while in other weeks, I attended classes every day. That being said, the days included 1-3 lectures or seminars. I attended all of them on West Campus, which was only a 15–20-minute walk from Anne Lister. In semester two, your days become a bit busier as lecturers introduce the practical side of the course, but it balances out because you’ll have less reading to do.

I find it easy to balance social life with my studies. Joining societies is definitely a good idea as they fit nicely with your schedule and provide stress relief by being with like-minded people. No matter which college you live in, you’ll find bus stops are always within a five-minute walk so everything is connected. As a Uni of York student, you can get a student ticket on the FirstBus app. The buses go into the town centre and I learned how to navigate the city quickly.

Support

Support comes in many forms in this university. As an international student I had to do extra steps like confirming my right to study. It was a straightforward process and my queries were answered very fast. More information about the process and documents you might need can be found here.

You can access academic support at York through your lecturers and STEAR representatives. These students, from any year, represent the department’s interests and act as a bridge between students and staff in meetings. They also host events and create opportunities for all students to connect. This provides a great way to get support or receive guidance to meet your needs. The university also organizes plenty of events, like opportunity fairs, which help you connect with real-world experiences and apply your degree effectively.

The university offers mental health support and general check-ups. Open door is free service which gets you in touch with a support team. It is very easy to access and they provide personalised support. The university will assign you a personal supervisor with whom you’ll meet twice a semester.

Every student will have a meeting with one and if you have any concerns, they are a good person to contact as they’ll know the best way or who to contact to resolve any problems.

I’ve enjoyed my time in York and I think it provides a great environment to thrive and make the most out of your uni years.

Read about other environment and geography blogs here.