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Compare any two UK universities

Select any two universities below and we'll generate an instant, data-driven comparison — rankings, salaries, student satisfaction, international community, and more.

D
Durham University

Durham · QS World #85

U
University of York

York · QS World #158

Head-to-Head Summary

Based on 11 datapoints

We looked at 11 data points — world rankings, student satisfaction, graduate salaries, employment rates, and more — to see which university scores higher in each category.

7/11

Durham

scored higher in 7 categories

VS

4/11

York

scored higher in 4 categories

Quick Verdict

Durham University leads in 7 of 11 categories where both have data (ranking, established, satisfaction, international, graduate salary, scholarship). University of York is ahead on ranking, TEF, employment, courses.

Durham University vs University of York at a glance

Durham University and University of York both teach 45 subject areas, the largest being Computer Science, Politics & International Relations and Chemistry. Durham University offers 278 courses across 54 subject areas; University of York offers 532 courses across 82 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £31,000 a year at Durham University and £27,500 at University of York: University of York is about £3,500 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £30,500 a year at Durham University and £27,250 at University of York: University of York is about £3,250 a year cheaper.

Of the 21 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, Durham University is higher in 19 and University of York in 0, with 2 about level. The widest gap is in Finance & Actuarial Science: £42,000 three years after graduating from Durham University, against £30,500 from University of York. Of the 22 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, Durham University is higher in 15 and University of York in 4, with 3 about level.

World & National Rankings

Compare world and national league table positions, TEF ratings, and Russell Group membership.

#85
QS World
#158
#175
THE World
#154
#6
Guardian UK
#20
1832
Established
1963
Yes
Russell Group
Yes
Silver
TEF Rating
Gold

Visual Breakdown

Key metrics at a glance

Longer bars indicate better performance. Metrics include student satisfaction, graduate salaries, and more.

Durham University

University of York

90.7%
87.1%

Satisfaction

Student satisfaction with teaching (NSS Survey, out of 100%)

£43,800
£34,700

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

74.4%
80.2%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

32.6%
18.6%

International

International student share

278
532

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

102
3

Scholarships

Number of scholarships

International Community

Where do international students come from?

Top source countries based on official HESA enrolment data. A higher diversity of nationalities often means a richer campus experience.

Durham

86 countries · 32.6% international

  • 🇨🇳China49.5%
  • 🇭🇰Hong Kong7.4%
  • 🇮🇳India5.9%
  • 🇺🇸United States4.9%
  • 🇸🇬Singapore2.6%
VS

York

97 countries · 18.6% international

  • 🇨🇳China44.1%
  • 🇮🇳India7.2%
  • 🇺🇸United States5.7%
  • 🇭🇰Hong Kong4.3%
  • 🌐Korea (South)2.2%

Subjects

45 subjects you can study at both

Courses listed at each university in the subject, and the typical (median) international fee a year. Select a count to see the courses.

Durham University

University of York

Also taught at both: General Engineering, Education Studies, Social Policy & Public Policy, Finance & Actuarial Science, Management, Psychology (General), Business Studies, Human Geography & Environment, Biology, Accounting, Ancient Languages, Physical Geography & Climate, Forensic Science, Childhood & Youth Studies, Humanities, Liberal Arts, Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, Biochemistry, Biomedical Engineering, Developmental & Educational Psychology, Health Sciences & Paramedic Science, Marketing, Civil Engineering, English Literature, Manufacturing & Production Engineering, Teacher Training, Biotechnology, English Language, Mechanical Engineering, Social Sciences (General).

Only at Durham University

Only at University of York

Fees

What it costs international students

The typical (median) international tuition fee a year across each university's published course fees. Individual courses vary; each course page shows its own fee.

Undergraduate

Durham University
£31,000
University of York
£27,500

University of York is about £3,500 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

Durham University
£30,500
University of York
£27,250

University of York is about £3,250 a year cheaper.

Outcomes

Graduate outcomes by subject

Median graduate salary three years after graduating, and student satisfaction with teaching, across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject. Source: Discover Uni.

Durham University

University of York

  • Computer Science

    £40,000Salary (3 years)£40,000
    87%Satisfaction73%

  • Politics & International Relations

    £34,000Salary (3 years)£27,500
    88%Satisfaction91%

  • Chemistry

    £34,000Salary (3 years)£28,500
    96%Satisfaction92%

  • Mathematics

    £36,000Salary (3 years)£28,500
    89%Satisfaction86%

  • Archaeology

    £25,500Salary (3 years)£19,500
    96%Satisfaction84%

  • Law

    £36,000Salary (3 years)£30,500
    90%Satisfaction89%

  • Philosophy

    £30,500Salary (3 years)£26,500
    88%Satisfaction89%

  • Sociology & Criminology

    £26,500Salary (3 years)£24,000
    89%Satisfaction90%

  • Physics

    £36,000Salary (3 years)£30,000
    90%Satisfaction89%

  • Economics

    £42,000Salary (3 years)£35,500
    90%Satisfaction75%

  • English Studies

    No dataSalary (3 years)£24,500
    98%Satisfaction89%

  • Music

    £23,500Salary (3 years)£23,500
    97%Satisfaction87%

Showing the 12 largest of 22 shared subjects with published outcomes.

Scholarships for International Students

Exclusive

Durham University

Sir Harry Evans Global Fellowship

£53,333

Deadline: N/A

Durham Inspiring Excellence Scholarships - Undergraduate

£30,000

Deadline: N/A

The Global DBA Scholarships

£25,000

Deadline: Nov 2026

The Mary Ward Postgraduate Scholarship Fund

£25,000

Deadline: N/A

Global Grand Challenges Studentships

£20,780

Deadline: N/A

View all scholarships →

University of York

Care Leavers and Estranged Students Bursary

£3,000

Deadline: N/A

York Bursary

£1,000

Deadline: N/A

York Futures Scholarship

See details

Deadline: N/A

View all scholarships →

FAQ

Durham University vs University of York: common questions

Is Durham University or University of York cheaper for international students?

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £31,000 a year at Durham University and £27,500 at University of York: University of York is about £3,500 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £30,500 a year at Durham University and £27,250 at University of York: University of York is about £3,250 a year cheaper. These are medians of the international tuition fees each university publishes for its courses; the fee for a specific course is on its course page.

What subjects can you study at both Durham University and University of York?

Both universities teach 45 subject areas: Computer Science, Politics & International Relations, Chemistry, Mathematics, Archaeology, Law, Business & Management (General), Philosophy, Sociology & Criminology, Physics, Economics, English Studies and 33 more.

Is Durham University or University of York better for Computer Science?

Computer Science graduates earn a median £40,000 three years after graduating from Durham University, and £40,000 from University of York. Student satisfaction with teaching is 87% at Durham University and 73% at University of York. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

Does Durham University or University of York offer more courses?

University of York lists 532 courses on CourseOptions and Durham University lists 278 courses.

What can you study at Durham University but not at University of York?

Durham University teaches 9 subject areas that University of York does not, including Theology & Religious Studies, Anthropology, Classical Studies, Geology & Earth Sciences, Natural Sciences, Sport & Exercise Sciences, Asian Languages & Studies, Clinical Specialities and 1 more.

What can you study at University of York but not at Durham University?

University of York teaches 37 subject areas that Durham University does not, including History of Art & Design, Linguistics, Biomedical Sciences, Film Production & Cinematography, Media & Film Studies, Environmental Sciences, French, German & Scandinavian Studies and 29 more.

Ready to explore courses?

Browse available courses, check entry requirements, and find scholarships at each university.

D
Durham University278 courses · 102 scholarshipsBrowse Courses
U
University of York532 courses · 3 scholarshipsBrowse Courses