This is a general overview and snapshot of our Brand, messaging and why it is important.
What is the brand?
Our brand is our DNA. It’s how we act, think, speak and behave, and is our institutional culture and identity. It makes us stand for something unique and meaningful versus other universities. It is the essence of who we are.
Why is it important?
As the foundation of York’s marketing and communications, our brand allows us to tell a consistent and powerful story to the world around us. More than a logo, font and colours, our brand delivers on our promise to create positive change and a better, more meaningful future for all.
Our brand journey
In 2019, we embarked on a journey to clearly define who we are and what we stand for. With an evidence-based strategy created from extensive quantitative research and interviews with over 4,000 stakeholders, competitive reviews and validation research, we landed on Positive Change – a bold vision to take our brand further.
English version
French version
Our brand stewardship policy and procedures were last approved by the Board in 2020 with the intention of protecting and upholding the image and reputation of the University by regulating the use of brand properties. This policy is designed to limit the proliferation of brand properties that detract from the University’s core positioning by diluting our distinctive image and legal right in its names and marks.
Our vision
York is committed to giving a broad demographic of students access to a high-quality, research-intensive learning environment committed to the public good.
Our promise
We are a community of changemakers. Driven by passion, we exist to create positive change for our students, our communities and the world around us.
Our values
- Excellence
- Progressive
- Inclusivity & diversity
- Social justice & equity
- Sustainability
Our brand story can be used as messaging for websites, social media, brochures and presentations to articulate who we are and what we stand for. There are three versions of the story that may be used for your communications. Choose the one that best suits your needs and space allocations.
Main Story
York is a leading international teaching and research university, and a driving force for positive change. Empowered by a welcoming and diverse community with a uniquely global perspective, we are preparing our students for their long-term careers and personal success.
Together, we can make things right for our communities, our planet and our future.
Short Version
York is a leading international teaching and research university, and a driving force for positive change. With a diverse community and uniquely global perspective, we can make things right for our future.
Long Version
York is a leading international teaching and research university, and a driving force for positive change. Empowered by a welcoming and diverse community with a uniquely global perspective, we are preparing our students for their long-term careers and personal success.
Home to one of the largest and most diverse student bodies in Canada, our 54,500+ students from 172 countries, 348,000+ alumni and leading
professors are working with 323+ university, industry and NGO partners to tackle pressing issues. Recognized as a global leader for four consecutive years in the new Times Higher Education Impact Rankings, and number one in global joint research publications in Ontario, York is positioned to take on the challenges that matter most.
Through our leading programs and 16,900+ diverse experiential education opportunities including internships, community placements, co-ops and capstone projects, we are preparing our students for meaningful careers, long-term success, and the critical knowledge to work toward a better future.
Across our multiple campuses locally, including the Keele and bilingual Glendon campus in Toronto, and globally in Hyderabad, India, and Costa Rica, we continue to innovate. This brings success to our students in our top-ranked Schulich School of Business and Osgoode Hall Law School as well as in the liberal arts, creative and performing arts, professional studies, health, engineering, education and sciences.
We value collaboration, diversity and inclusivity. Together, we can make things right for ourselves, our communities, our planet and our future.