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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.

S
SOAS University of London

London · QS World #458

U
University of York

York · QS World #158

Head-to-Head Summary

Based on 12 datapoints

We looked at 12 data points — world rankings, student satisfaction, graduate salaries, employment rates, and more — to see which university scores higher in each category.

3/12

SOAS University of London

scored higher in 3 categories

VS

9/12

York

scored higher in 9 categories

Quick Verdict

University of York leads in 9 of 12 categories where both have data (ranking, Russell Group, TEF, satisfaction, employment, graduate salary, courses). SOAS University of London is ahead on established, international, scholarship.

SOAS University of London vs University of York at a glance

SOAS University of London and University of York both teach 22 subject areas, the largest being Politics & International Relations, Media & Film Studies and Business & Management (General). SOAS University of London offers 296 courses across 29 subject areas; University of York offers 532 courses across 82 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £23,780 a year at SOAS University of London and £27,500 at University of York: SOAS University of London is about £3,720 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £25,320 a year at SOAS University of London and £27,250 at University of York: SOAS University of London is about £1,930 a year cheaper.

Of the 9 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, University of York is higher in 5 and SOAS University of London in 3, with 1 about level. The widest gap is in History of Art & Design: £26,500 three years after graduating from SOAS University of London, against £21,500 from University of York. Of the 10 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, SOAS University of London is higher in 4 and University of York in 4, with 2 about level.

World & National Rankings

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

#458
QS World
#158
#401
THE World
#154
#86
Guardian UK
#20
1916
Established
1963
No
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.

SOAS University of London

University of York

84.1%
87.1%

Satisfaction

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

£32,500
£34,700

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

74.4%
80.2%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

25.7%
18.6%

International

International student share

296
532

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

27
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.

SOAS University of London

67 countries · 25.7% international

  • 🇨🇳China10.9%
  • 🇮🇳India10.6%
  • 🇺🇸United States9.4%
  • 🇵🇰Pakistan7.6%
  • 🇫🇷France3.6%
VS

York

97 countries · 18.6% international

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

Subjects

22 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.

SOAS University of London

University of York

Also taught at both: Management, Finance & Actuarial Science, International Development, Liberal Arts, Accounting, Civil Engineering, Social Sciences (General).

Only at SOAS University of London

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

SOAS University of London
£23,780
University of York
£27,500

SOAS University of London is about £3,720 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

SOAS University of London
£25,320
University of York
£27,250

SOAS University of London is about £1,930 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.

SOAS University of London

University of York

  • Politics & International Relations

    £31,000Salary (3 years)£27,500
    90%Satisfaction91%

  • Business & Management (General)

    £27,500Salary (3 years)£30,500
    82%Satisfaction80%

  • Law

    £28,000Salary (3 years)£30,500
    77%Satisfaction89%

  • Ancient Languages

    £24,000Salary (3 years)£25,000
    92%Satisfaction94%

  • Music

    No dataSalary (3 years)£23,500
    87%Satisfaction87%

  • Philosophy

    £26,000Salary (3 years)£26,500
    89%Satisfaction89%

  • History

    £26,500Salary (3 years)£25,500
    89%Satisfaction93%

  • History of Art & Design

    £26,500Salary (3 years)£21,500
    97%Satisfaction84%

  • Economics

    £35,000Salary (3 years)£35,500
    83%Satisfaction75%

  • Linguistics

    £24,000Salary (3 years)£24,000
    98%Satisfaction82%

Scholarships for International Students

Exclusive

SOAS University of London

SOAS International Academic Excellence Scholarship

£20,000

Deadline: May 2026

SOAS Sustainable Development Goal Scholarship

£15,000

Deadline: Jun 2026

Commonwealth Shared Scholarships

100%

Deadline: N/A

Joint Japan/World Bank Graduate Scholarship Programme

100%

Deadline: N/A

SOAS Academic Excellence Scholarship

£10,000

Deadline: May 2026

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

SOAS University of London vs University of York: common questions

Is SOAS University of London or University of York cheaper for international students?

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £23,780 a year at SOAS University of London and £27,500 at University of York: SOAS University of London is about £3,720 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £25,320 a year at SOAS University of London and £27,250 at University of York: SOAS University of London is about £1,930 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 SOAS University of London and University of York?

Both universities teach 22 subject areas: Politics & International Relations, Media & Film Studies, Business & Management (General), Law, Ancient Languages, Music, Philosophy, History, History of Art & Design, Electronic & Electrical Engineering, Sociology & Criminology, Archaeology and 10 more.

Is SOAS University of London or University of York better for Politics & International Relations?

Politics & International Relations graduates earn a median £31,000 three years after graduating from SOAS University of London, and £27,500 from University of York. Student satisfaction with teaching is 90% at SOAS University of London and 91% at University of York. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

Does SOAS University of London or University of York offer more courses?

University of York lists 532 courses on CourseOptions and SOAS University of London lists 296 courses.

What can you study at SOAS University of London but not at University of York?

SOAS University of London teaches 7 subject areas that University of York does not, including Asian Languages & Studies, African & Middle Eastern Studies, Anthropology, Creative Arts (General), Theology & Religious Studies, Cultural Studies and Biological Sciences (General).

What can you study at University of York but not at SOAS University of London?

University of York teaches 60 subject areas that SOAS University of London does not, including Computer Science, Mathematics, Chemistry, Physics, English Studies, Education Studies, Biomedical Sciences, Biology and 52 more.

Ready to explore courses?

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

S
SOAS University of London296 courses · 27 scholarshipsBrowse Courses
U
University of York532 courses · 3 scholarshipsBrowse Courses