A Guide to Student Events at York

Being a student at the University of York comes with an amazing social calendar! Before I started, I didn’t know about all the different events on offer, so this blog is here to fill you in! Here is my ultimate guide to the biggest student events at York, what’s included, and my personal highlights from each.

College Formals

Every college at York hosts its own events throughout the year, usually including a formal event in winter as a chance to celebrate the end of semester one. This typically entails getting suited & booted for a three-course meal, entertainment, and drinks with your flatmates and college friends. Tickets often include your meal, a welcome drink, a photographer, and maybe other things like a DJ or a photobooth. My favourite things about college formals were getting to see all my flatmates at once for one last hurrah before everyone went home for the winter break and getting to see some really nice venues in York, such as the Milner, that I might never have attended otherwise!

^My friends & I at Constantine College winter formal

Society Formals

Also usually on the end-of-semester agenda is formals hosted by the societies you join. These tend to be smaller than college formals, and often come with awards ceremonies to celebrate society members that have truly stood out over the past semester. Depending on the society, what’s included can range from catered sit down dinners at York venues to more casual buffet-style events where you can mingle. Being part of the Social Policy Society, as Events Officer and later Vice President, meant the society’s winter formal was a huge highlight for me! Joining an academic society brought so much community to my degree, and getting to see everyone and celebrate outside of the lecture hall was amazing.

^The Social Policy Society girlies & I at Soc Poc winter formal

York Races

As a student at the University of York, going to York races is a right of passage. Students can get really cheap tickets to the County Stand Garden. Aside from the actual races, tickets can also give you access to transport from and back to campus, an after party with a DJ, and of course an excuse to dress up! I’ve had some of the funniest days ever at these events, surrounded by my favourite people, and placing bets on horses based purely on which names I liked, that were never going to win but at least we were having a nice time! 

^My friends & I at York student races

Summer Ball

As the end of the academic year comes around and deadlines are submitted, York SU puts on a huge celebration. Summer ball genuinely has it all; from live music, to fairground rides, to silent discos, and more! If you’ve ever seen a UoY student’s instagram dump, the photo in the gorgeous gown with the sunset and ferris wheel in the background was probably taken here. It’s arguably the biggest event in a UoY student’s calendar and, in my personal opinion, it lives up to the hype. My favourite part, as cringe as this may sound, is that everyone is just in the best mood ever, it’s such a surreal feeling!

^My flatmate & I at Summer Ball

My Top Tips for Making the Most of Student Events

1. Keep an eye out for ticket drops on social media platforms such as your college’s instagram and the York SU account… tickets can sell out fast so you have to be speedy!
2. Pace yourself. The constant events can be a lot, both mentally and financially, so hopefully this blog has provided some insight into the ones you would enjoy, and for those that don’t sound up your street, save yourself the money!
3. That being said, I know it’s a cliche, but your three years at university fly by so quickly, so make the most of the opportunities to dress up, celebrate, and make gorgeous memories with the amazing community you’ll build here!

Thanks for reading 🙂 

Em (she/her)