With a focus on removing barriers to higher education and a commitment to sustainable practices, York St John supports over 13,000 students at its campuses in York and London.

It was recently named the ‘University of the Year for Social Inclusion’ in the Times and Sunday Times’ ‘Good University Guide 2025’ in recognition of the work it does to ensure that degree level education and graduate jobs are accessible to all.

Outreach teams work with schools across the UK and engage with pupils through activities such as workshops and campus visits.

Dr Rob Hickey, Chief Operating Officer, said: “Almost 70% of our students come from backgrounds that are underrepresented in higher education.

“Our outreach teams look at post code areas where traditionally young people aren’t as likely to go on to higher education, such as coastal towns, or areas where military families live. We engage with them and inspire them to see that university is something that’s achievable.

“We recognise that not everybody starts from the same level playing field and once students are with us, we provide an extra layer of support on their journey so they can achieve their potential.“We also have a range of scholarships to support students from less financially secure backgrounds.”

Impact:

York St John has a ‘no waste to landfill’ policy, extensive recycling processes, solar panels across its campuses, and a huge range of biodiversity initiatives.

It was the first university in the country to agree a power purchasing agreement directly with a wind farm.It was also awarded a Food for Life silver accreditation from the Soil Association for the sustainable measures it takes including preparing 6,000 meals a day using locally-sourced ingredients.Rob said: “We know what our students really care about and we build their passion into our strategy. Our focus on equality of opportunity and sustainability runs throughout the whole organisation and our overall strategy is to be the university for social impact.”

To ensure the University’s financial commitments matched their sustainability ethos, York St John moved its deposit accounts to Unity in 2024.

Joe McCarthy, Director of Finance, said: “Students, staff and governors of York St John care deeply about creating a fairer, more sustainable future. We want to be sector leading in our commitment to environmental sustainability.

“As a higher education institution with strong values, we actively sought solutions to shift finance away from unethical investment.

“We are delighted to have moved deposits to Unity Trust Bank, which does not invest in fossil fuel industries, and where savings deposits and lending help organisations to make a positive difference to communities.”