STUDENT clubnights are manna from heaven for freshers.

What York lacks in cutting-edge clubbing, it makes up for with cheap entry, drinks offers and a super-friendly atmosphere.

More than 2,000 students start their week at Ikon & Diva, the Clifton Moor superclub. Monday is Pooh Yer Pants, a mix of student anthems, chart and R 'n' B in Ikon, and pop party and alternative in Diva.

Shuttle buses run from Library Bridge at the University of York and York St John College's Clarence Street entrance to the club and back between 9.45pm and 2.15pm.

If you've not peaked too soon, next up is Toffs, in Toft Green, which was refurbished this year and has a legendary student night on Tuesdays for the University of York (Wednesdays for York St John).

Go along and enjoy a mix of student anthems, R 'n' B and, on Tuesdays, Kinki Indie, with drinks from £1.20. Buses run from Library Bridge every 20 minutes from 10pm to 11.30pm.

Your best bet any night of the week for clubbing is The Gallery, which was also refurbished this year.

The Definition is its University of York student night on Wednesday, with pop, dance, chart and party in the main room, and a recommended mix of Britpop and indie in the basement.

York St John students have their own night, Panic, on Tuesday, offering a similar mix of sounds.

All of these student nights run from 10pm to 2am and admission to each of the clubs is £2.50 with an NUS card, or £3.50 without.

Last but not least is York's only independent club, Ziggys, which is akin to a night partying in your mate's house.

Oh, the tales I could tell about my own exploits at its bargain-basement student night on Wednesday, which boasts free entry for NUS card holders and bottles of stomach-rotting alcopops at crazy prices you just can't say no to.

Upstairs you'll find a mix of 70s-90s classics while downstairs, anything goes.

For those of you searching for an alternative, the long-running Blackout Rocknight Tuesday also attracts a large student following.

You'll find everything from rock and indie to emo and hip hop, and entry is £2 before 11pm and £3 after.

Don't be tempted to blow your loan cheque all at once - next week I'll have a guide to the best bars and bar events for students

The Gallery, Coney Street, 01904 647947, www.galleryclub.co.uk

Toffs, Toft Green, 01904 620203, www.toffsnightclub.co.uk

Ikon & Diva, Clifton Moor, 01904 693999, www.ikondiva.co.uk

Ziggy's, Micklegate, 01904 620674.

Updated: 16:11 Thursday, October 14, 2004