EDUCATION
THAT EMPOWERS
EDUCATION
THAT EMPOWERS
Our commitment - whether our education is delivered in York, internationally or online - is twofold:
- to provide education at the highest levels of quality
- as the University of Opportunity, to open up access to higher education and support students of all backgrounds to achieve success.
Our curricula are designed to empower students, to challenge and inspire them, and encourage them to become curious learners throughout their lives. We provide opportunities for students to gain the skills, knowledge and confidence to help them start their careers and thrive throughout them, taking with them the values on which we were founded.
We build inclusive and welcoming environments in partnership with our student union through support for wellbeing, extracurricular activities, and social opportunities that cater to the diverse needs, backgrounds, and aspirations of all our students throughout their journey.
York voices
What our community told us
“I have many students who work in jobs, caring responsibilities, commuter students… so I think making space within the curriculum is absolutely key.”
“It’s so important to show us different ways of thinking that might not be necessarily applicable to your degree, but it just opens your mind and gives a different perspective. You still get the university experience but you're employable too.”
“All of our discussions are about the way the world is changing, new ways of working, growing and shrinking of industries, and ultimately, how we should - and can - help York students.”
“My course was very academic and because of that, when I went to the internship, I felt a little bit out of my depth… more real life focus would have probably helped prepare me and given me a better direction of what I was interested in, what I was curious about, and what I wanted to explore more.”
“We have to be honest that universities have got a worsening reputation - the cost of education and what students get out of it. People are not trusting universities as much as they used to. That trust can be gained through interactions with industry and that’s how universities can be more successful. Universities need to be using their industry links to help students get that industry-ready experience, and to support that next step in their career.”
“We have a real opportunity to think about the future of education, learning and professional development that sets us apart, but we need to be clearer about what this all means. Let’s leverage our community and build that shared sense of purpose. Budgets and finance are important but they have to work alongside innovation, and be clearer about what it's all for.”
How we're rising to this challenge
Our strategic priorities
empowering every student
To remove barriers to accessing a York education and enable students irrespective of their background to succeed and progress in their future careers.
preparing graduates for a global future
To pioneer a distinctive York curriculum, delivered at the highest levels of quality, that involves interdisciplinary thinking, cutting-edge research, work-related learning, global experience and practical skills development and prepares graduates for a complex, evolving global labour market.
Expanding Flexible and Lifelong Learning
To extend our portfolio beyond traditional undergraduate and postgraduate degrees to encompass professional development (CPD), micro-credentials, online and lifelong learning opportunities designed to serve the diverse needs of a global community and provide new streams of income.
Co-Creating the Student Experience
To draw our student body to the centre of a York educational partnership in which we co-create their experience with them, learn from them, listen to them, and are challenged by them.
driving digital innovation
To use technology creatively to provide students with access to services that support their attainment and wellbeing 24/7, and to drive innovation in curriculum design and delivery.
empowering every student
To remove barriers to accessing a York education and enable students irrespective of their background to succeed and progress in their future careers.
preparing graduates for a global future
To pioneer a distinctive York curriculum, delivered at the highest levels of quality, that involves interdisciplinary thinking, cutting-edge research, work-related learning, global experience and practical skills development and prepares graduates for a complex, evolving global labour market.
Expanding Flexible and Lifelong Learning
To extend our portfolio beyond traditional undergraduate and postgraduate degrees to encompass professional development (CPD), micro-credentials, online and lifelong learning opportunities designed to serve the diverse needs of a global community and provide new streams of income.
Co-Creating the Student Experience
To draw our student body to the centre of a York educational partnership in which we co-create their experience with them, learn from them, listen to them, and are challenged by them.
driving digital innovation
To use technology creatively to provide students with access to services that support their attainment and wellbeing 24/7, and to drive innovation in curriculum design and delivery.
Paving the way
Key projects and initiatives
Collaborative programme teams
Creation of ‘programme teams’ for all University of York degrees to build a strong culture of pedagogic innovation, academic collaboration and communities of practice.
embedding work-related learning
Establish a work-related learning framework that programme teams will implement throughout their curricula, alongside global experiences, research and AI to benefit students in their future careers.
Inclusive Student Representation
Transform our strategies for student partnership and representation by implementing inclusive and innovative methods for engagement and co-creation.
data-informed education quality
Using the data-driven Education Quality Enhancement (EQEC) process to address gaps across the student journey and ensure compliance with the OfS, drawing on module evaluation, NSS, degree outcomes and graduate outcomes.
increasing and supporting commuter students
Implement a comprehensive framework dedicated to the recruitment, support and academic success of commuter students.
new online learning pathways
Deliver a portfolio of bold, ambitious online learning credentials that open up new pathways for student access and success, support the needs of employers, enhance international reach and provide sustainable high-value sources of revenue.
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