About
About
Founded in 1841, we transform lives through the power of education across the generations.
At York St John University we pride ourselves on our community and heritage.
We have been teaching people from across the world for 180 years. We are passionate about giving our students a teaching and learning environment that is safe, exciting, inclusive and inspirational.
With official 'Sanctuary' status, we also see our role as something bigger than an education provider. Our role in the city of York is one we take seriously. Many of our students and staff are activists, engaging directly with our wider community.
Our Strategy 2026 Refresh
In the year 2026 York St John will celebrate its 185th anniversary and 20 years of full University status. Our refreshed strategy sets out what we aim to achieve by then and how our mission, vision, values and priorities are helping us respond to a changing world.
Facts and figures
Who we are
180 years of teaching people from across the world in the heart of York
Top 15 We have been named 13th out of 135 universities in the country for teaching quality in The Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2023
Radical Our unique contextual offer scheme, described as radical by the Office for Students, gives more people a fair chance to access Higher Education
40,000 We are connected to a network of over 40,000 alumni from across the years and across the world
Our economic and social impact
Our economic and social impact
Our University plays a substantial role in the region’s economy and makes an important social impact through widening educational participation, research and enabling development.
An independent evaluation of our social and economic impact in the 2021/22 academic year highlights our strong commitment to social justice and the added value we generate for the UK economy in return for the public funding we receive.
Read the Economic and Social Impact report summary:
York St John University Economic and Social Impact Summary (PDF, 0.2MB)
Higher York
Higher York is a partnership between University of York, York St John University, Askham Bryan College and York College.
As a place-based partnership of institutions, the Higher York institutions are committed to the economic, social and environmental and cultural life of the York City Region. Higher York has a strong track record of collaboration and partnership with key City Region stakeholders to overcome the challenges facing our local communities.
Read more about the commitments and contributions in the PDF below:
Featured news
Article
The joy of dance for people living with dementia
Innovative project which explores the physiological and psychological connections between dance and dementia.
- 1 February 2024
- Community
Article
York’s first anti-racism summit is a ‘collective call to action’ for the city
York St John University is proud to support the work of Inclusive Equal Rights UK.
- 30 January 2024
- Community
- Research
Article
Green toolkit for space sector sustainability
Thoughts about sustainability in the space sector are challenged in a collaborative project between York St John and the Universities of Edinburgh, Hull and Southampton.
- 26 January 2024
- Research
Article
Quality and sustainability award for campus food at York St John University
Food for Life certification marks dedication to high standards and traceability of produce
- 25 January 2024
Article
York St John report reveals vital role of NHS wellbeing hubs
The value of Resilience Hubs, a specialist service offering mental health and wellbeing support to all emergency, health and care staff, is highlighted in a report commissioned by the NHS.
- 15 January 2024
- Research