Hello! As a student in the very first cohort of the BSc Neuroscience course here at York, I was initially a little nervous and unsure what to expect. However, I quickly settled in and first year has flown by – I can’t believe it’s nearly over! Here I’ll share a bit about why I love York and studying Neuroscience here.
The course itself
The first year covers quite a broad range of content, from dementia to experimental design to the neural mechanisms of attention and working memory. It gives you the chance to build key skills and explore different areas, ready for choosing option modules in later years of the degree. I’ve enjoyed discovering what topics interest me most, and you might be surprised by what you end up enjoying! For example, if I’m being honest I thought I’d find the Genetics module a bit of a bore, but it actually turned out to be my favourite part of the course, as I found the problem-solving aspect of it really engaging.
We also spend some time learning R, a programming language used for data analysis. If that sounds intimidating, don’t worry – the computer workshops are designed to let you go at your own pace and there are always staff on hand to help. I had very little coding experience before uni, but it’s been really rewarding to pick up a new skill that’s so relevant to research.
So far I’ve found the workload is just enough to keep me engaged, without being too overwhelming. It has been a bit of a change from studying for my A-levels because I have to be a lot more proactive in setting time aside to review material and stay on top of things. Luckily there are plenty of great spaces to study both on campus and in the city centre.
The Biology Department
While the course includes some input from Psychology, most of my time has been spent in the Biology Department. Now I may admittedly be biased, but I think that it’s the very best place on campus. The building itself is modern and spacious, and it even has its own cafe, Cookies. I’d highly recommend the paninis (and, of course, the cookies!). There’s also the Creative Lounge, which makes the perfect chilled study space thanks to its comfy chairs and blankets.
But of course it’s the people that make the department what it is. It’s a big, friendly community, and it’s easy to meet people doing different biology-related courses through shared lectures and workshops – you’re not just stuck in a Neuroscience bubble!
The lecturers are another highlight. They’re genuinely passionate and enthusiastic about what they teach, and you can really see that they are experts in their fields. I like how they often bring their own research into lectures, which makes the content feel more up-to-date and relevant.
Finally I have to mention the amazing support staff. The Biology Student Services team were incredibly helpful and reassuring when I ended up missing part of my course due to medical reasons. And every student is assigned a supervisor who is there for you in everything from academic support to career advice to general wellbeing.
Life in York
A big part of why I chose York was the city itself, and it definitely hasn’t disappointed. York is a place that somehow manages to feel both vibrant and peaceful at the same time. The city centre is just a short bus ride (or walk, if you prefer!) from the campus, and it always has such a lively, buzzing atmosphere. The city also has an incredibly rich history that you can see everywhere you go, whether you’re strolling along the city walls, window shopping in the Shambles market, or visiting the York Minster. And there’s no shortage of independent cafes, bookshops, pubs and bars, so there’s always somewhere to meet friends, relax and have fun.
Another thing I love is the amount of green space and wildlife on and around the campus. York is well known for its ducks and geese, and it also always makes my day when I spot a rabbit hopping around – there are lots near the Biology Department!
Final tips!
If you’re still unsure whether Neuroscience at York is right for you, I’d highly recommend visiting if you can. I knew for sure that York was where I wanted to go after my offer holder day, where I had the chance to see the city and visualise myself studying there.
Starting university can be pretty scary but it’s also such an exciting time of your life. Studying here has helped me develop new skills, and I’ve gained a lot of confidence. My advice would be to really make the most of all the uni has to offer and try everything you can. Good luck! 😊
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