University of York

The University of York stands south-east of York city centre on a 200-hectare campus of lakes, parkland and wildlife. The original part, Campus West, began in 1964 with drained marshland, a central lake and buildings linked by covered walkways and bridges. Architects Sir Andrew Derbyshire and Sir Stirrat Johnson-Marshall designed the first structures using the CLASP prefabrication system, giving the campus its light, modern look. The university was founded in 1963 as one of the plate glass universities and now has eleven colleges, the newest being David Kato College which opened in 2022. Its collegiate system was shaped by the first Vice-Chancellor, Baron James of Rusholme, who insisted on tutorials, seminars and student involvement in governance. The Politics Department under Graeme Moodie introduced student representation at all levels, a model later widely copied. Campus West still centres on Heslington Hall, a Tudor building on the edge of the village of Heslington. Most arts departments are based in the colleges, while sciences have their own buildings around the lake. The campus includes the York Science Park, the National Science Learning Centre and extensive greenery designed to maximise biodiversity.