In all honesty, I didn’t expect to attend the University of York’s Open day, let alone pick it as my first choice, when I began applications in Year 13.
Coming from a town very much in the South, I hadn’t heard much about the University of York, and fully anticipated that I would end up choosing a much more familiar university, a lot closer to home.
However, when I was offered the option of a free lift to the Offer Holder day in March of 2024 (courtesy of my dad), I thought it couldn’t hurt to at least have a look at what the university had to offer.
I can safely say I’m very glad that I did!
The University of York’s Department of Biology stuck out to me as being distinctly warm, friendly, and passionate, with lecturers and staff who talked with genuine care not only about their studies and research, but also their students. Having been a Biomedical Sciences student here for the last two years, I can say that it still rings true within the courses and support from the department.
So, what’s actually to like about the Department of Biology here at UoY?
All about facilities
I can’t go without first mentioning the department facilities. With T block built only in 2016, the department is bright, airy, and is set up perfectly for group and individual study. The creative lounge on the second floor is particularly helpful as a biological sciences student only study area, and a great place to hide and get some work done in between lectures or workshops, without having to brave the treacherous 5-minute walk to the library.
Especially in winter at York, it’s great to have a department with so many study and social spaces. The Atrium and ground floor, as well as the department cafe Cookies, all host tables and seating for work, meetings, and socialisation. It’s easy to walk through the department and find a group of coursemates and stop for a chat, or a quick bite to eat at Cookies, and the space provides a real sense of convenience and community.
You don’t really have to leave (and if you get stuck in the stairwell, as many freshers have, you may not be able to – make sure to update your card!), but being in the heart of West Campus means the campus lake and area around are also on your doorstep to explore and stretch your legs.
Events and societies
The department also offers study sessions and community events to keep students engaged and included in the department (incentivised often by free tea, coffee and biscuits, which have tempted me more than a few times!), and a huge range of societies and student groups that you can get stuck into. The Biology department is always open to students suggesting their own groups, societies and improvements, and offers invaluable support.
I can attest to this firsthand, having founded a new Biomedical Science Society at the start of my second year. The support and encouragement I received from not only lecturers (shoutout to Katie Smith and Amanda Barnes!) but also the reception staff in arranging room bookings, lecturer talks, and talking in freshers events, was fantastic, and the society certainly wouldn’t be what it is now without their encouragement and support.
There is such a diversity in student groups and activities in the department and beyond, and it’s not difficult to find a group of like-minded people, and events that suit you. I have been able to run social events like cafe crawls in the town centre, sip and paint sessions, stem-cell debates with Medsoc and movie nights in the department that I would’ve loved to have had as a fresher myself. Organising a cross-society winter formal at Manhatta York was such a joy, and being able to celebrate and let off steam with my coursemates was one of the highlights of the semester.
Diving into research
It’s not all fun and games though! Alongside a few of the other bioscience societies, we began a ‘lunch with a lecturer’ series, to allow other students to hear about the fantastic research from the department lecturers and PhD students in a more informal setting. It speaks volumes of the department that the researchers and lecturers were so keen and willing to offer up their time to tell us about their work, and it was hugely valuable to see what kind of research happens here in York as I move ever closer to the end of my degree.
Using these talks, we could hear more and chat in more detail about the projects and subjects surrounding their research, which was lovely in a closer setting, and something I’m not certain I would get the opportunity (or feel confident and comfortable enough to arrange and attend!) at a different university or community.
Final thoughts
So overall, I think that what I enjoy most about studying Biomedical Sciences at the University of York is the open and welcoming environment. It may sound silly- you’re going to university to study after all, and surely your department doesn’t really need to be the most hospitable place on the planet- but I can honestly say that it’s the biology department at York’s warmth that makes it such a successful environment to learn and grow as a scientist. It’s easy to communicate and network with lecturers, ask questions, and be curious, without worrying about being shut down or seeming silly. You’re given the space and opportunity to explore your subject in whatever way works best for you: in lectures, talking to academics during workshops, in organising new events and societies, or applying to the many research opportunities and programmes the department offers.
So, in short, I would highly recommend anyone on the fence like I was to attend an Open day and see for themselves (and potentially have a chat with me or another student ambassador on the day!). You never know where it may take you!
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