University of York (York, England)

Mount Holyoke generally may nominate one student each year for our reciprocal exchange with the English Department at the University of York.  The exchange is open only to English majors who expect to take all or most of their courses at York in the English Department.  Only students receiving need-based financial aid at Mount Holyoke are eligible; students selected for the exchange are guaranteed Laurel Fellowships.  Students who are not English majors, or who are receiving little or no need-based financial aid, are welcome to apply to York as study abroad students rather than exchange students.


University of York

• Chartered in 1963, as part of a large-scale expansion of the higher education system in the 1960s
• Approximately 11,000 students (20% international students, more than 110 nationalities)
• Comprehensive university offering a wide range of courses in the humanities, sciences, and social sciences
• Main campus at Heslington is a 200-acre landscaped park, a few miles from the town of York
• Wide range of student activities, societies, and events

City of York

• Located in the northeast of England
• Population about 180,000
• One of England’s most famous ancient cathedral cities
• Compact, walled city known for its ancient and medieval history

Academic Program

• Traditional British academic calendar, with three terms of approximately ten weeks each (late September to mid-December, mid-January to early April, and early May to mid-June)
• Most courses offered for the full academic year
• Exchange students must study at York for the full academic year (students who wish to study abroad for one semester may apply for Laurel Fellowships for the spring two-term program as study abroad [non-exchange] students)
• Students enroll directly into courses offered by York to its degree-seeking students
• Admission to courses outside of the English Department is at the discretion of the other department, and should be requested at the time of application
• Normal courseload for a full academic year is 120 credits (which transfers as 32 MHC credits)

Living Arrangements

• Guaranteed housing on campus in one of York’s undergraduate residential colleges or in a self-catering apartment

Exchange Requirements

• Minimum GPA of 3.0
• Majoring in English
• Must have completed sophomore year (or at least three semesters, for spring entrants) prior to enrolling at York
• Must be eligible for need-based financial aid at Mount Holyoke

Financial Arrangements

• Exchange student pays MHC tuition, room, and board; York waives its tuition and room charges
• York will provide students with a stipend to cover the cost of meals
• Laurel Fellowship guaranteed (though number of exchange slots is limited)
• Financial aid award will be based on total budget, including MHC tuition, room, and board; MHC study abroad fee; and allowances toward books, personal expenses, and round-trip airfare

Study at York for Study Abroad (Non-Exchange) Students

• Financial aid recipients, in any major, who wish to study abroad for less than a year may apply for Laurel Fellowships for direct enrollment as study abroad (non-exchange) students for the spring two-term program
• Students who are not English majors and/or who are receiving little or no need-based financial aid at Mount Holyoke should apply to York as study abroad students, either directly or through the IFSA/Butler or Arcadia University programs 
• Study abroad applicants should follow general procedures and deadlines for study abroad
• Study abroad students will be billed directly by York or their program sponsor for the (lower) overseas or program tuition and fees, rather than MHC tuition

How to Apply for the Exchange

• Submit Mount Holyoke’s Request to Study Abroad and Laurel Fellowship application according to the instructions provided on the Deadlines web page; applications are ordinarily due early in December
• Students will be notified by early February whether they have been selected for the exchange
• Exchange nominee will complete York’s application for admission and submit it to the McCulloch Center in March, for forwarding to York; students must also be accepted by York