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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

Y
York St John University

York · Guardian UK #105

Head-to-Head Summary

Based on 10 datapoints

We looked at 10 data points — world rankings, student satisfaction, graduate salaries, employment rates, and more — to see which university scores higher in each category.

8/10

Durham

scored higher in 8 categories

VS

2/10

York St John

scored higher in 2 categories

Quick Verdict

Durham University leads in 8 of 10 categories where both have data (ranking, Russell Group, established, satisfaction, graduate salary, courses, scholarship). York St John University is ahead on employment, international.

Durham University vs York St John University at a glance

Durham University and York St John University both teach 24 subject areas, the largest being Politics & International Relations, Law and Theology & Religious Studies. Durham University offers 278 courses across 54 subject areas; York St John University offers 199 courses across 49 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £31,000 a year at Durham University and £14,000 at York St John University: York St John University is about £17,000 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £30,500 a year at Durham University and £11,800 at York St John University: York St John University is about £18,700 a year cheaper.

Of the 15 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, Durham University is higher in 14 and York St John University in 0, with 1 about level. The widest gap is in Economics: £42,000 three years after graduating from Durham University, against £20,000 from York St John University. Of the 18 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, Durham University is higher in 10 and York St John University in 7, with 1 about level.

World & National Rankings

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

#85
QS World
—
#175
THE World
#1001
#6
Guardian UK
#105
1832
Established
1841
Yes
Russell Group
No
Silver
TEF Rating
Silver

Visual Breakdown

Key metrics at a glance

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

Durham University

York St John University

90.7%
86.8%

Satisfaction

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

£43,800
£27,000

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

74.4%
84.6%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

32.6%
37.1%

International

International student share

278
199

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

102
1

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 St John

35 countries · 37.1% international

  • 🌐Nepal33.8%
  • 🇳🇬Nigeria25.4%
  • 🇮🇳India20.5%
  • 🇵🇰Pakistan4.1%
  • 🌐Sri Lanka4%

Subjects

24 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

York St John University

Also taught at both: Business & Management (General), Human Geography & Environment, Teacher Training, Asian Languages & Studies, Music, Childhood & Youth Studies, Health Sciences & Paramedic Science, Physical Geography & Climate, English Language.

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
York St John University
£14,000

York St John University is about £17,000 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

Durham University
£30,500
York St John University
£11,800

York St John University is about £18,700 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

York St John University

  • Politics & International Relations

    £34,000Salary (3 years)£20,000
    88%Satisfaction89%
  • Law

    £36,000Salary (3 years)No data
    90%Satisfaction93%
  • Theology & Religious Studies

    £30,500Salary (3 years)£19,500
    98%Satisfaction94%
  • Psychology (General)

    £29,000Salary (3 years)£20,500
    91%Satisfaction90%
  • Economics

    £42,000Salary (3 years)£20,000
    90%Satisfaction71%
  • Computer Science

    £40,000Salary (3 years)£26,500
    87%Satisfaction78%
  • Business Studies

    £41,000Salary (3 years)£22,500
    83%Satisfaction95%
  • Sociology & Criminology

    £26,500Salary (3 years)£20,500
    89%Satisfaction89%
  • English Literature

    £27,000Salary (3 years)£19,500
    93%Satisfaction97%
  • Accounting

    £44,000Salary (3 years)£22,500
    89%Satisfaction76%
  • Education Studies

    £26,500Salary (3 years)£19,000
    86%Satisfaction77%
  • History

    £33,000Salary (3 years)£19,000
    94%Satisfaction98%

Showing the 12 largest of 18 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 →

York St John University

Sanctuary Scholarships

£4,000

Deadline: N/A

View all scholarships →

FAQ

Durham University vs York St John University: common questions

Is Durham University or York St John University cheaper for international students?

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £31,000 a year at Durham University and £14,000 at York St John University: York St John University is about £17,000 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £30,500 a year at Durham University and £11,800 at York St John University: York St John University is about £18,700 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 York St John University?

Both universities teach 24 subject areas: Politics & International Relations, Law, Theology & Religious Studies, Psychology (General), Economics, Computer Science, Business Studies, Sociology & Criminology, English Literature, Accounting, Management, Education Studies and 12 more.

Is Durham University or York St John University better for Politics & International Relations?

Politics & International Relations graduates earn a median £34,000 three years after graduating from Durham University, and £20,000 from York St John University. Student satisfaction with teaching is 88% at Durham University and 89% at York St John University. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

Does Durham University or York St John University offer more courses?

Durham University lists 278 courses on CourseOptions and York St John University lists 199 courses.

What can you study at Durham University but not at York St John University?

Durham University teaches 30 subject areas that York St John University does not, including Archaeology, General Engineering, Anthropology, Finance & Actuarial Science, Chemistry, Classical Studies, Geology & Earth Sciences, Mathematics and 22 more.

What can you study at York St John University but not at Durham University?

York St John University teaches 25 subject areas that Durham University does not, including Media & Film Studies, Design & Fashion, Counselling & Psychotherapy, Creative Writing, Hospitality, Events & Tourism, Film Production & Cinematography, Applied Psychology, Drama & Theatre and 17 more.

Ready to explore courses?

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