York University facts for kids
Coat of arms of the university
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Other name
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YorkU | ||
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| Motto | Tentanda via (Latin) | ||
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Motto in English
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The way must be tried | ||
| Type | Public research university | ||
| Established | 1959 | ||
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Academic affiliations
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CARL, COU, CUSID, Fields Institute, IAU, Universities Canada | ||
| Endowment | $632.7 million (2021) | ||
| Chancellor | Kathleen Taylor | ||
| President | Rhonda Lenton | ||
| Provost | Lisa Philipps | ||
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Administrative staff
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7,000 | ||
| Students | 55,700 | ||
| Undergraduates | 49,700 | ||
| Postgraduates | 6,000 | ||
| Location |
,
Canada
43°46′23″N 79°30′13″W / 43.77306°N 79.50361°W |
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| Campus | Urban / suburban, 185 ha (460 acres) | ||
| Colours |
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| Nickname | York Lions | ||
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Sporting affiliations
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U Sports, OUA | ||
| Mascot | Yeo the Lion | ||
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York University (French: Université York), also known as YorkU, is a large public university in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. It is the third-largest university in Canada. About 55,700 students study here, with 7,000 teachers and staff. Over 370,000 people who studied at York now live all over the world.
York University has 11 main schools, called faculties. These include the Lassonde School of Engineering, Schulich School of Business, and Osgoode Hall Law School. It also has 28 research centres. The university started in 1959. Its first classes were held in September 1960 with 76 students.
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History of York University
York University was created in 1959. It was set up as a non-religious school by a special law. The first classes took place in September 1960. They were held at the University of Toronto campus. There were 76 students in total.
In 1961, York University moved to its first campus. This was at Glendon Hall, which is now part of Glendon College. The university started to focus on liberal arts and adult education. York became a fully independent university in 1965. This happened after it was first connected to the University of Toronto.
The main campus, called the Keele Campus, opened in 1965. It is located in North York, a part of Toronto. Glendon College became a special campus that teaches in both English and French. It focuses on liberal arts.
In 1970, York University started Canada's first undergraduate program in dance. In 1972, Canada Post even put York University on an 8-cent stamp! The first PhD program in women's studies in Canada also started here in 1992.
Over the years, the Keele Campus has grown a lot. New buildings have been added, like a student centre and buildings for fine arts and business. It also has a shopping mall and a hockey arena. The Aviva Centre tennis stadium, built in 2004, hosts big tennis tournaments.
In 2014, York University announced plans for a new campus in Markham, Ontario. This campus will be built with Seneca College. It is expected to open in September 2024.
University Campuses
York University has several campuses where students learn and study.
Keele Campus
The Keele Campus is the main campus of York University. It is in northern Toronto. Most of the university's schools are here. This includes Liberal Arts, Fine Arts, Business, Law, and Engineering. Almost 50,000 students attend classes at the Keele campus. The York University station is a subway station right on campus.
Glendon Campus
Glendon College is a special part of York University. It is a separate campus that focuses on liberal arts. Students here can study in both English and French. It also has its own library, the Leslie Frost library.
Markham Campus
A new campus is being built in Markham. The government of Ontario is helping to pay for it. This new Markham Campus is planned to open in spring 2024.
Other Locations
York University also has other places where students can learn. The Schulich School of Business and Osgoode Hall Law School have smaller offices in downtown Toronto.
There is also an eco-campus in Costa Rica called The Lillian Meighen Wright Centre. It is next to the Las Nubes Forest Reserve. The Schulich School of Business also has a campus in Hyderabad, India.
In 2024, plans were announced for a new School of Medicine at York. It will open in 2028. This will be the third medical school in the Greater Toronto Area.
Academics and Learning
York University has about 1500 full-time teachers and librarians. They are part of the York University Faculty Association. Other teachers and assistants are represented by CUPE Local 3903.
Programs and Degrees
York University offers over 120 different undergraduate programs. Students can choose from 17 different types of degrees. They also have 30 international degrees. These allow students to study abroad at more than 100 universities around the world. Students from over 150 countries come to York University.
York University's Film Department has Canada's oldest film school. It is known as one of the best in Canada.
University Reputation
York University is ranked among the top universities. In 2022, it was ranked among the top 401-500 universities in the world. It was also ranked 18th or 19th in Canada. For 2025, it was ranked 362nd in the world and 16th in Canada by QS World University Rankings.
The university is also recognized for its research. It ranks well for how much its research is used by others. York University also helps its graduates find jobs. In 2022, it was ranked among the top 301-500 universities globally for graduate employment.
University Faculties
York University has 11 main faculties, or schools:
- The School of Arts, Media, Performance & Design
- The Faculty of Education
- The Faculty of Environmental & Urban Change
- Glendon College
- The Faculty of Graduate Studies
- The Faculty of Health
- The Lassonde School of Engineering
- The Faculty of Liberal Arts & Professional Studies
- Osgoode Hall Law School
- The Schulich School of Business
- The Faculty of Science
The Faculty of Environmental & Urban Change is the oldest and largest environmental studies school in Canada. The Osgoode Hall Law School moved to the York campus in 1969.
Research Centres
York University has 31 special research units. These groups do advanced research beyond the regular school departments. Some examples include:
- Centre for Atmospheric Chemistry
- Centre for Vision Research (CVR)
- York Institute for Social Research
- Centre for Feminist Research
- Centre for Refugee Studies
- The Harriet Tubman Institute for Research on the Global Migrations of African Peoples
The Art Gallery of York University has a collection of 1500 art pieces. These include Canadian, American, and European art.
The School of the Arts, Media, Performance and Design (AMPD) offers programs in design, music, dance, and theatre. York's Film, Theatre, and Creative Writing departments have many award-winning graduates.
Seneca@York
The Keele campus also has a part of Seneca College. York University and Seneca College offer several joint programs together.
University Libraries
The York University library has several branches. The Scott Library holds books and materials for humanities, social sciences, and environmental studies. The Peter F. Bronfman Business Library is for business students.
Study Abroad Programs
Students at York University can earn credits by studying abroad. They can do international internships or join programs like "Discover India." The university has agreements with over 120 universities in 40 countries for student exchange programs.
Student Life at York University
Colleges and Residences
York University has nine undergraduate colleges. These colleges offer places to live and support students.
| Name (Founded) |
Focus | Named After |
|---|---|---|
| Calumet
(1970) |
"Technology and the Arts" | Norman-French for pipe or pipestem. |
| Founders
(1965) |
"Self, Culture & Society" | The Group of Seven, famous Canadian artists. |
| Glendon
(1966) |
Bilingual Liberal Arts | A combination of "glen" (valley) and "Don" for the Don River. |
| McLaughlin
(1968) |
Public Policy & Social Sciences | Colonel Samuel McLaughlin, a businessman. |
| New College
(2009) |
Professional Studies | The newest college at York University. |
| Norman Bethune
(1972) |
"Science and its Place in the World" | Norman Bethune, a Canadian doctor and hero in China. |
| Stong
(1969) |
Language and Sport | The Stong family, who lived on the land where the Keele campus is now. |
| Vanier
(1965) |
Humanities | Georges Vanier, a Governor-General of Canada. |
| Winters
(1967) |
Fine Arts & Education Studies | Robert Winters, a Canadian Cabinet Minister. |
Student Groups
York University has over 350 student clubs. There are also larger student groups. These include Regenesis, an environmental group that runs farmers' markets and a community bike centre.
Campus Media
Excalibur is the university's student newspaper. It has been published since 1966. Existere is a magazine published by students in the professional writing program. YorkU Magazine is the official university magazine. It is published three times a year.
Athletics and Sports
The university's sports teams are called the York Lions. Before 2003, they were known as the "Yeomen" and "Yeowomen." The new name, "Lions," was chosen to be a single name for both men's and women's teams. The mascot is Yeo the Lion.
York offers 29 interuniversity sports teams. There are also 12 sport clubs and many intramural leagues.
York University has many sports facilities. These include a football stadium, gymnasiums, playing fields, tennis courts, and ice arenas. The new Aviva Centre is home to the Rogers Tennis Cup tournament.
In 2014, the York Lions won several championships. This included the men's national track and field championship and the men's soccer titles.
Labour Disruptions
York University has had some strikes involving its faculty and teaching assistants. These strikes happen when staff and the university cannot agree on things like job security or wages.
For example, in 2018, there was a very long strike by teaching assistants and contract faculty. It lasted for 143 days. This was the longest university strike in Canadian history at the time. In 2024, another strike by teaching assistants and contract faculty lasted 53 days. They reached an agreement, and members returned to work in April 2024.
Notable People from York University
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York University has over 200,000 living alumni (people who have graduated). Many live in Ontario, but many also live in other parts of Canada and around the world.
University Chancellors
The Chancellor is a ceremonial head of the university. Here are some past and present Chancellors:
- Wilfred Curtis (1959 - 1968)
- Floyd Chalmers (1968 - 1973)
- Walter L. Gordon (1973 - 1977)
- John P. Robarts (1977 - 1982)
- John S. Proctor (1982 - 1983)
- J. Tuzo Wilson (1983 - 1986)
- Larry Clarke (1986 - 1991)
- Oscar Peterson (1991 - 1994)
- Arden Haynes (1994 - 1998)
- Avie Bennett (1998 - 2004)
- Peter deCarteret Cory (2004 - 2008)
- Roy McMurtry (2008 - 2014)
- Gregory Sorbara (2014 – 2023)
- Kathleen Taylor (2023 – present)
University Presidents
The President is the main leader of the university. Here are some past and present Presidents:
- Murray G. Ross (1959–1970)
- David Slater (1970–1973)
- H. Ian Macdonald (1973–1984)
- Harry W. Arthurs (1985–1992)
- Susan Mann (1993–1997)
- Lorna Marsden (1997–2007)
- Mamdouh Shoukri (2007–2017)
- Rhonda Lenton (2017–present)
See also
In Spanish: Universidad York para niños
- Allan I. Carswell Astronomical Observatory
- Education in Toronto
- Higher education in Ontario
- Las Nubes Rainforest Preserve
- List of universities in Ontario
