School for Business and Society

In the run-up to our summer graduation ceremonies in July, we're celebrating some of our graduands through our Student Spotlight series. 🎓

First up is Ruth. ✨

"I still remember sitting on the aeroplane from Nigeria to the UK, thinking about what I wanted my journey at York to look like. I hoped to build meaningful friendships that would last beyond university and to challenge myself to accomplish things that felt difficult and ambitious.

Looking back now, I can confidently say that York has given me both. I've made incredible friends who have become a second family and I've grown in ways I never anticipated. Along the journey, I learned the importance of resilience, asking for help when needed, showing up even on difficult days and staying consistent. These lessons have shaped me into a stronger and better version of myself than I could ever have imagined when I first arrived.

Academically, I'm proud to have consistently been at the top of my class, but some of the most valuable growth happened outside the classroom. My time at York has opened doors to professional experiences with globally recognised organisations and ultimately led to a fantastic graduate programme that will allow me to pursue my ambition of building a career in finance.

What I'll remember most, however, are the people, the shared experiences and the moments of growth that came from stepping outside my comfort zone. Being an international student has taught me how to adapt, persevere and embrace new opportunities while staying connected to my roots.

As I leave York, I do so with immense gratitude for the friendships, lessons and opportunities that have shaped my journey. I'm excited for what lies ahead and for the opportunity to contribute to building a stronger and more robust business sector in my home country, Nigeria.

This experience has shown me that growth often comes from embracing uncertainty, staying consistent and believing in yourself, even when the path ahead isn't completely clear."

Ruth, BSc (Hons) Accounting, Business Finance and Management

🌍 This time next week, we'll be welcoming delegates from the Pan-European Executive MBA, University of York Europe Campus and the Université de Strasbourg, for the annual study weeks programme: 22 June to 3 July 2026.

With 172 students expected across the two study weeks in the Church Lane building, classes will involve Corporate Financial Management and Negotiation Skills taught by a mix of School academics and visiting academics.

It's not all work, though. Additional activities planned for the students will include a ghost tour of York, and there'll be a networking lunch on Fridays to close out each week, attended by the Lord Mayor and Sheriff of York, along with senior representatives from the University, returning alumni and current staff members. We're looking forward to meeting this year's students.

🔗 Find out more about the MBA programme: https://city.yorkeuropecampus.eu/executive-mba/

📣 We're excited to share the news that we've maintained our place among the UK’s most highly regarded institutions for the subjects of Social Work, Social Policy and Marketing in the Complete University Guide League Tables 2027.

School for Business and Society at the University of York, ranked:

🌟 4th in the UK for the study of Social Work
🌟 8th in the UK for Social Policy
🌟 13th in the UK for Marketing

Published annually, the Complete University Guide league tables rank the best universities in the UK, covering 74 separate subject areas, as well as an overall institutional ranking. Universities and subjects are ranked on entry standards, student satisfaction, research quality, graduate prospects, completion rates, student-staff ratio and spend on academic services and facilities.

Read more about our rankings: https://www.york.ac.uk/business-society/about/news/2026/cug-2027-rankings/

Our final EDI Forum of this academic year, 'Stories of My Homeland', was a powerful student-led celebration of identity, culture, belonging and the many meanings of "home".

Through film, photography, sound, language and personal storytelling, we journeyed across the world - from Mongolia, to Thailand, Abkhazia, Myanmar and Armenia - and in doing so gained a deeper appreciation of the rich cultural diversity within our University of York community. 🗺️

A huge thank you to Greg for leading the event, to our student presenters - Uranchimeg, Weeraya, Viktoriia, Moses and Greg for sharing their stories so honestly and openly, and to everyone who contributed to such a thoughtful and engaging discussion. 👏

Events like this are a strong reminder why creating spaces where different voices, experiences and perspectives are heard and valued matters so much, now more than ever.

This one's for our prospective students. 👀

If you're wondering what tech you'll need to bring when you join us, then look no further. Our fabulous final-year student and UG School Rep, Emily, has written a blog sharing her knowledge, top tips and what's worked for her while studying. 💻✅

🔗Read it here: https://blogs.york.ac.uk/student-voices/2026/06/05/what-tech-do-you-actually-need-for-uni/

Third-year Social Work students, Lisa, Grace and Aini, are currently on placement at the York branch of IDAS (Independent Domestic Abuse Services), and working on a project to help raise awareness of domestic abuse and sexual violence.

Yesterday, they held a stall in the Church Lane building to share their knowledge, training and support to students and staff. A big thank you to everyone who stopped by to chat, pick up a leaflet, and find out more. 💜

If you'd like more information about the charity, or need support, then please go to: idas.org.uk

Good luck with the remainder of your placement and studies, we're proud of the work you're doing! 🫶