Vanbrugh College

We’re named after the architect and dramatist Sir John Vanbrugh who, despite once being imprisoned in the Bastille, and having faced scathing criticism for his raunchy restoration comedies, achieved great success through his sharp sense of humour and willingness to challenge accepted ideas. In this way he’s an excellent role model for students in our college: ambitious, creative, provocative and occasionally outrageous!

We’re home to over 2,000 student members, around 600 of which live on campus and many more who live in York and the surrounding area.