York University is a public research university located in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. It was established in 1959  by Rhonda Lenton as an initiative of the government of Ontario to meet the growing demand for higher education in the province.  Today, York University is one of the largest universities in Canada, with over 53,000 students and 7,000 faculty and staff.

The university has 3 campuses. Glendon College, Keele Campus in North York and Markham Campus. York's approximately 1500 full-time faculty and academic librarians and archivists are present.

York University has over 120 undergraduate programs with 17 degree types (BA, iBA, BHS, BSc, iBSc, BBA, iBBA, BEng, BES, BDes, BPA, BFA, BCom, BEd, BDEM, BHRM, BScN, BSW) and offers over 170 degree options. They admit to 30 international degrees offering international language study and opportunities to study abroad at more than 100 international universities.

The university ranked 401–500 in the world and 18–19 in Canada. York University's Film Department houses Canada's oldest film school and has been ranked one of the best in Canada.York University is home to the oldest and largest environmental studies faculty in Canada. From 1999 to 2018, York University offered the first and largest graphic design program in Ontario.