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.
London · QS World #458
York · Guardian UK #105
Head-to-Head Summary
Based on 9 datapoints
We looked at 9 data points — world rankings, student satisfaction, graduate salaries, employment rates, and more — to see which university scores higher in each category.
5/9
SOAS University of London
scored higher in 5 categories
4/9
York St John
scored higher in 4 categories
Quick Verdict
SOAS University of London leads in 5 of 9 categories where both have data (ranking, graduate salary, courses, scholarship). York St John University is ahead on established, satisfaction, employment, international.
SOAS University of London vs York St John University at a glance
SOAS University of London and York St John University both teach 12 subject areas, the largest being Media & Film Studies, Politics & International Relations and Asian Languages & Studies. SOAS University of London offers 296 courses across 29 subject areas; York St John University offers 199 courses across 49 subject areas.
For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £23,780 a year at SOAS University of London and £14,000 at York St John University: York St John University is about £9,780 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £25,320 a year at SOAS University of London and £11,800 at York St John University: York St John University is about £13,520 a year cheaper.
Of the 7 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, SOAS University of London is higher in 7 and York St John University in 0. The widest gap is in Economics: £35,000 three years after graduating from SOAS University of London, against £20,000 from York St John University. Of the 9 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, SOAS University of London is higher in 6 and York St John University in 3.
World & National Rankings
Compare world and national league table positions, TEF ratings, and Russell Group membership.
Visual Breakdown
Key metrics at a glance
Longer bars indicate better performance. Metrics include student satisfaction, graduate salaries, and more.
SOAS University of London
York St John University
Satisfaction
Student satisfaction with teaching (NSS Survey, out of 100%)
Graduate Salaries (5y)
Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation
Employment
Graduate employment rate
International
International student share
Course Counts
Number of courses offered
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%
York St John
35 countries · 37.1% international
- 🌐Nepal33.8%
- 🇳🇬Nigeria25.4%
- 🇮🇳India20.5%
- 🇵🇰Pakistan4.1%
- 🌐Sri Lanka4%
Subjects
12 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
York St John University
Media & Film Studies
41 coursesTypical fee £23,780 (UG)
11 coursesTypical fee £14,000 (UG)
Politics & International Relations
34 coursesTypical fee £23,780 (UG)
12 coursesTypical fee £14,000 (UG)
Asian Languages & Studies
38 coursesTypical fee £23,780 (UG)
5 coursesTypical fee £14,000 (UG)
Law
13 coursesTypical fee £23,780 (UG)
7 coursesTypical fee £14,000 (UG)
Business & Management (General)
Music
Economics
10 coursesTypical fee £23,780 (UG)
3 coursesTypical fee £14,000 (UG)
History
Sociology & Criminology
Theology & Religious Studies
Management
Accounting
Only at SOAS University of London
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
- York St John University
- £14,000
York St John University is about £9,780 a year cheaper.
Postgraduate
- SOAS University of London
- £25,320
- York St John University
- £11,800
York St John University is about £13,520 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
York St John University
Politics & International Relations
£31,000Salary (3 years)£20,00090%Satisfaction89%Asian Languages & Studies
£24,500Salary (3 years)£19,50086%Satisfaction83%Law
£28,000Salary (3 years)No data77%Satisfaction93%Business & Management (General)
£27,500Salary (3 years)£22,50082%Satisfaction71%Music
No dataSalary (3 years)£18,50087%Satisfaction94%Economics
£35,000Salary (3 years)£20,00083%Satisfaction71%History
£26,500Salary (3 years)£19,00089%Satisfaction98%Management
£27,500Salary (3 years)£22,50073%Satisfaction67%Accounting
£27,500Salary (3 years)£22,50088%Satisfaction76%
Scholarships for International Students
ExclusiveSOAS 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
FAQ
SOAS University of London vs York St John University: common questions
Is SOAS University of London or York St John University cheaper for international students?
For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £23,780 a year at SOAS University of London and £14,000 at York St John University: York St John University is about £9,780 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £25,320 a year at SOAS University of London and £11,800 at York St John University: York St John University is about £13,520 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 York St John University?
Both universities teach 12 subject areas: Media & Film Studies, Politics & International Relations, Asian Languages & Studies, Law, Business & Management (General), Music, Economics, History, Sociology & Criminology, Theology & Religious Studies, Management and Accounting.
Is SOAS University of London or York St John University better for Politics & International Relations?
Politics & International Relations graduates earn a median £31,000 three years after graduating from SOAS University of London, and £20,000 from York St John University. Student satisfaction with teaching is 90% at SOAS University of London and 89% at York St John University. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.
Does SOAS University of London or York St John University offer more courses?
SOAS University of London lists 296 courses on CourseOptions and York St John University lists 199 courses.
What can you study at SOAS University of London but not at York St John University?
SOAS University of London teaches 17 subject areas that York St John University does not, including African & Middle Eastern Studies, Ancient Languages, Anthropology, Creative Arts (General), History of Art & Design, International Development, Electronic & Electrical Engineering, Linguistics and 9 more.
What can you study at York St John University but not at SOAS University of London?
York St John University teaches 37 subject areas that SOAS University of London does not, including English Literature, Design & Fashion, Marketing, Counselling & Psychotherapy, Creative Writing, Hospitality, Events & Tourism, Psychology (General), Sport & Exercise Sciences and 29 more.
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