Freshers’ Guide 2009 » The Colleges

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Alcuin

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One of the older colleges, Alcuin has been housing students since 1967. Despite this, it features some of the newest accommodation with all rooms equipped with an en-suite. Raised on a hill above the north end of the main campus area, the college houses 542 students and is nearest to the Library, the Computer Science department and Hull York Medical School. Its bar, B Henry’s, offers good deals on cocktails and features college events throughout the term.

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Derwent

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One of the original colleges (along with rival and neighbour Langwith), Derwent is situated near Heslington Hall and is home to the Quiet Place, a walled garden open for student use. Despite its prefabricated exterior, several of the accommodation blocks have recently been renovated, including the infamous E block, with, arguably, the worst kitchens on campus. Derwent bar is large and popular, and hosts the immensely popular Club D events each term. It contains the Philosophy and Politics departments.

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Halifax

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The largest of the York colleges, Halifax is situated to the south of the main campus, beside the village of Heslington. Halifax is unique in that its accommodation is made up of houses grouped together to form courts, rather than a building divided into blocks and corridors. Halifax is the only college not home to an academic department; it does, however, offer its very own (misleadingly named) Costcutter and has a large amount of green open space suitable for barbecues and socialising.

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James

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One of the youngest colleges on campus, James was build during the 1990s and now has 12 accommodation blocks. Known as some of the nicest accommodation on campus (though having now taken over some of the old Goodricke blocks, that accolade might soon be questionable…) James college is built in quads, creating friendly communal spaces that feature an annual ‘Quad Dash’ where residents flock to enjoy free food and drink in the summer months.

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Langwith

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The second of the original colleges on York campus, Langwith has a very central location and contains the departments of English and Educational Studies. Despite being the smallest college, as of January this year Langwith now boasts the only Student Union venue on campus – The Courtyard, which serves food and drink throughout the day and hosts weekly club nights. It also contains York’s only student-run art gallery.

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Goodricke

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Opened on the Heslington West campus in 1968, Goodricke is the first college to move to Heslington East this summer. Linked to the west campus by a direct bus service, the new site will feature brand new accommodation blocks and facilities will develop as work continues. The old college continues to be home to the Maths department, and has become a part of Vanbrugh, James and Wentworth colleges.

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Vanbrugh

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Situated in close proximity to Market Square, Costcutter’s and the Library, Vanbrugh is a large college containing four accommodation blocks and the departments of History and History of Art. Vanbrugh students may also live in Fairfax House on Heslington Road, an approximate 10 minute walk from the main campus. Vanbrugh’s large bar serves food throughout the day and hosts popular themed club nights ‘Volume’ throughout the term.

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Wentworth

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Opened in 1972, Wentworth is the only college exclusively for graduate students, though they may live in any college on York campus. Housing the departments for Sociology and Criminal Justice, Wentworth is the centre of the Graduate Student Associate (GSA), and the location for GSA events throughout the term. Popular and well-attended comedy nights are held throughout each term at the college bar, which also has a reputation for serving the best food on campus. An art studio open to all students can also be found in the college.

Wentworth Vanbrugh Langwith Alcuin Derwent James Halifax Goodricke A map of campus

Rhiannon Williams

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