University of York

Founded on principles of excellence, equality and opportunity for all, the University of York opened in 1963 with just 230 students. Since then we have become one of the world's leading universities, carving out a reputation as an academic powerhouse where a clear focus on excellence has secured national and international recognition alongside longer established institutions. Key objectives:

• To be a world leader in research
• To offer outstanding teaching and learning
• To offer all our students an outstanding and valuable experience

York is a University with strong values. In all our activities, we are unconditionally committed to excellence, as measured by the highest national and international standards. We see ourselves as operating in a global environment, with important local and national responsibilities and aim to be among the best universities in the world. We encourage creativity, independence, enterprise and initiative. We support academic freedom and autonomy and we promote open academic debate and discussion. We will be inclusive and provide equal opportunities for all. We apply the highest ethical standards to all our activities and want to make a positive contribution to the development of a fairer and sustainable world.

We aim to provide an environment that attracts the very best staff and students from all over the world, encourages and facilitates academic endeavour, and provides a supportive atmosphere for the development and sharing of knowledge. We want to be a University in which every member of staff and every student feels valued as an individual. Even as we grow, we want to retain a genuine sense of belonging and community in our departments, colleges, clubs and societies. We particularly value our colleges’ support for the cultural, social, academic and personal development of our students. We will play an active role in the City of York, which is central to our identity, and are committed to a mutually supportive relationship with the City and the region.

Guided by these values, we aim to build a University that distinguishes itself in the world-leading quality of its research, in its outstanding teaching, and in the quality and value of the students’ university experience. In this document, we describe these three key objectives in more detail, explaining what they mean for the University and how we want to achieve them. We then outline three further, enabling objectives: to grow the University, to organise the University more effectively, and to work with other organisations and stakeholders. As a prestigious Russell Group University, we have the capability to deliver extensive environmental contributions through our internationally recognised academic teaching, research programmes and campus-based activities. Our Environmental Sustainability Policy sets out our commitments to:

• Develop our environmental management systems
• Protect the environment and minimise pollutions from our activities
• Comply with environmental rules and regulations
• Increase sound scientific knowledge of environmental sustainability through our research and educational programmes

Our teaching will be led by research. We will be excellent in every aspect of students’ education, including in the design and delivery of teaching, in support for students’ intellectual growth, in assessing students’ attainment, and in evaluating and improving our performance as a place of learning. We will invite students to explore their subject as independent learners and as active researchers. We will encourage and develop creativity, advanced problem-solving skills and critical, independent thinking. Our students will be challenged to reach the highest level of attainment and they will acquire skills that enhance their employability and professional effectiveness.

We aim to ensure that the University of York offers an environment in which students can optimise their academic and personal potential. We seek to use our collegiate structure to enhance our students’ experience and support their academic endeavour. We want our students to enjoy their time at York and to offer them the opportunity to engage in a wide range of extra-curricular activities.